New Orleans As It Should Be - 98 miles

One of the first things I picked out when looking at traveling to USA was to ride across Lake Pontchartrain. Silly, I know but it just fascinated me. This bridge is 24 miles long, the longest in USA and second-longest in the world. It was completed in 1956 with the second span finished in 1969. When Katrina damaged parts of the I-10 twin-span, the Causeway remained open and was the main thoroughfare for rescue and evacuations.

Of course, once having crossed it, we did the only things necesary. Refuel, have a cuppa and cross it again.

Then it was in to town for a look around during the day. We went our own ways for the afternoon and then returned to the motel to cool off for a while before heading back in for the evening. Very hot and humid here.

This time we stayed away from Bourbon and found French Market where the pace was a little slower. We dined in the French Market Cafe accompanied by the wonderful sounds of the New Orleans Jazz Band. All the old jazz favourites played by experts in the genre.

The food was exceptional as well. I ordered an alligator appetizer. Charleen declined as she thought alligator might be nice but couldn't eat a whole one.

So she had Shrimp Creole while I had Redfish Pontchartrain (natch) with crabmeat and "dirty rice". Absolute yum.

Let the youngsters party on in Bourbon Street, this was a lot nicer for us.

Back on the road tomorrow.

Meantime:

Looking back south to New Orleans from about the middle

Then North

From the north shore, it spans the horizon

New Orleans freeways, where the drivers are absolutely nuts.

Some lovely old places still need repair

The main CBD is in pretty good shape

A definite style of their own

The last bridge on the Mississippi - we cross it tomorrow

A paddle wheeler and vehicular ferry cross wakes.

Building art

Now THAT's a clarinet