Day 13

It  seems when an Android phone receives a text message it sounds off to let you know you got a text. Well my lovely sent me something this morning just before 6:00 am local time. What a lovely way to get a wake up alarm. I was planning on getting up early as is my habit anyhow so the text was right on time. Texting and email makes it seem like my better half is right along with me. That is nice.

Got breakfast out of  the way and started to charge my phone before leaving for  the Alamo. Thought I might walk around a little while waiting for the cell phone to get a goodly charge.

If I was on the ball I would have taken a picture of him on the table in front of me looking at me like are you going to feed me or what!

Don't know the type if duck but there were several flying around the campground from tree to tree.

 

 

Got my gear ready for the bus ride downtown. Was walking out to the bus stop in front of the KOA but didn't know how to get past the locked gates. As I was fumbling around to find a key pad to enter the code the bus came by and I missed it. But the next one was only 30 minutes later and I was in no hurry. Went right by the AT&T Center where the Spurs play. Several years ago the wife and I were here visiting  my son. The group of Airmen he was with all went there to see a hockey game. I remembered this building being out in the middle of nowhere but now it is built up all around. But then maybe my re-memory is not to good?

 

Got off bus downtown a block from the Alamo. Walked to it to find the Air Force was having a change of command ceremony. 

While  the ceremony was going on I toured the Alamo. I just wanted to get a chance to have a second look at this famous site.

Good old head on shot of the famous edifice.

A couple of history buffs talking to school children in period costume.

Just a cactus flower I couldn't resist taking a photo of.





The area gardens are  really beautiful. Everything seem to make shade so it is very pleasant being there. I imagine even in the heat it would be much cooler that outside the walls of the buildings.

Next up was the RiverWalk that we didn't have time for last time here. I followed the signs to the RiverWalk. Once there I discovered that the original river used to overflow its banks and  the locals started shoring up the banks and as time went on businesses started to open on the banks of the river and the walk grew from there. Today mostly restaurants and shops line the RiverWalk. I did stumble onto a CVS and bought some decent ear plugs for on the bike and  the interstates. Interstates are extremely noisy and hard on your hearing.

Waterfall at entrance to walk

Another water fall.

Plantings.

 

As you can see the theme is water and I bet it is cool along the walk in the hot summer time. I only did a block or two to get the flavor of what this is about. That was enough for me.

 

Back to the KOA on the bus. Had several interruptions on the way back. One looked like a chemical spill which ought to be on the news tonight and the other was a dump truck doing what dump trucks do, dumping on the city street.

 

Just doing lunch, some laundry since I am in  a KOA and don't know where I will wind up tomorrow when I head on out towards New Mexico.

 

TTFN

Day 12

Start mileage 92969
End mileage 93272
Daily mileage 303
Total mileage 2297

After going to sleep last night I didn't wake until 6:00 am local time. I looked outside and it was still darkish. Then upon further investigation it was very foggy.

Being at a campground right alongside of US 10 it was very noisy. That didn't really bother me. Got up and went to bath house for daily routine. Walked back and took notice that half the campground people were getting up and all leaving. I thought what are they doing. Then I remembered it was Monday morning and the start of another work week. I keep forgetting people have to get up and go to work. I feel real sorry for them.....Well not really, I like to rub it in that I am retired now. I love it.

Anyway broke camp and actually got all my stuff back into the trailer. After deciding last evening that San Antonio was a definite possibility today I started after the fog broke.

Just on the West side of Houston I stopped for the Butt Break that one needs once and a while. I was drinking some ice cold water from the cooler and the cell phone rang. I ran to get it cause it was charging on the bikes cigarette lighter. It was Freedom Blue Nurses on Call contacting me to follow up on my Medicare bennies with them. I explained I was in Houston TX and would not be back to PA for another, oh, maybe three weeks. She was very good and asked many questions. I thought it unusual that being in Houston so far away from home that they can still get to me. Aren't cell phones wonderful? Well sometimes they are.

Back on US 10 after BB and ran into road work. The highway came to a complete stop. It was a slow go for several miles. Eventually I passed the action, the road crew was replacing two squares of road surface. I wondered why they didn't do that at night and/or have traffic use the service road? Anyway I must say of all the states so far Texas has the best roads.  A speed limit of 75 is wonderful for making time and miles go by quickly.

Stopped for gas along US 10. I pulled into a Citgo station. There were bugs of two different kinds all over the sidewalk around the pumps and into the building. It looked like a major hatching had just occurred. That didn't bother me none. I pumped gas and did what I needed while the workers there were sweeping like mad to clean up all the bugs.

Stopped at a Picnic Area along US 10. Pulled in to see only two trucks there. Many, many trash barrels were lined up along the parking lot. There was lots of trash on the ground. I noticed the black birds were pulling stuff out of the trash barrels and letting it fly all over the place. I am sure that is not what the State of Texas had in mind for the Picnic Area.

Stopped for some coffee along the way, about 32 miles out from San Antonio. Took off yellow jacket and slicked up with sun screen on my arms and face cause it was in the mid 80's. Rode the rest of the way like that.

Pulled into the KOA campground and gave them my member card, signed up for two nights and was at the campsite in a matter of minutes. KOA really has their stuff together.

Visited Wal-Mart to get supper stuff along with some other supplies. Will be reading about the bus system tonight that will take me downtown tomorrow to see the Alamo and other sites along the way.

Well time for supper, shower and bed in that order.

TTFN

Day 11

Start mileage 92652
End mileage 92969
Daily mileage 317
To date total miles 1994 - note, I subtracted todays end mileage from Day 1 starting mileage. Some where along the posting I missed something. You might want to check it out your self and let me know. Buy using the comment section and submitting as Anonymous.

Up at 6:00 am this morning after a good nights sleep. Ready to break camp and hit the road. Had no problems finding US 10 again to head West.

Wanted to visit McIlhenny's Tabasco Sauce factory on Avery Island outside New Iberia. After about 100 miles I turned off to follow the directions on the McIlhenny brochure. After another 40 miles arrived at Avery Island. Went to the factory. Had to pay a $1.00 toll to cross onto the island. The dollar is goes towards preservation of the  flora and fauna found there.

As soon as I got on the property I could smell the pungent odor of tabasco sauce. It was in the air everywhere. Did the factory tour which really was not that impressive but the story of McIlhenny creating the pepper sauce was intriguing . They even have one of the largest salt dome mines in the states. The salt is used in the processing of the pepper sauce. There is even oil found on the island which is pumped out but no drilling rig to mar the surrounding scenery.

At the driveway to the factory

The Factory

 

How would you like a bottle of McIlheenhy sauce like this

Barrels the fermenting ground peppers and salt that ferment in  the used whiskey casks.

Pepper sauce from the casks is mixed for up to 28 days.

White stuff is the salt put over fermenting cask to seal out everything.

Store on the grounds.

Had to take picture of tree with Spanish Moss on it.

On the return trip to US 10 a stop to Wal-Mart for supplies and a lunch break in the parking lot. A guy stopped by to inspect the bike and trailer. We chatted for 15 minutes about him wanting a bike since his wife pasted but he is afraid since he drinks to much. I advised that I never drink and drive. So once the riding is over a drink is fine. He said he will have to do that if he gets a bike.

Stopped at Wendy's in Crowley, LA.. You know at one time Wendy's held the record and honor of the fastest service in the industry, not any longer. Fortunately I only wanted coffee and it had to be made fresh. That is great but they never brought it out until I requested knowing if the coffee was ready. Meanwhile several people ordered. Each order was mixed up. Not a pretty place to visit. That is all I am going to say about that!

Stopped at the Texas Welcome Station just inside the border. The sign says exit 880, which means it is 880 miles from the western boarder of Texas and New Mexico. Wow! this state is large.

A map of Texas

This is the Lone Star State

 



Just rolling down US 10 until I found a camp ground. The first one was closed? The second one seemed good enough. The tent camp sites are along a little lake and there is a great breeze. I setup for the night. Cooked supper, made for the shower and then back to do some blogging. The camp ground is in Vinton, TX. called BoneTown USA.

Day 10

Man did I sleep well after the ordeal in the French Quarter. The old cot in the tent felt real good.

Got up and awake, had to saddle up to run out and get some food for the day. Found the local grocery store right where it was supposed to be. Ran in and negotiated with myself over what I really needed to purchase. I did pick up a bag of chips since I thought I would have lots of time on my hands and would love to nibble on something but I kept hearing my wife's voice saying "Dick you know we don't really need that". Well you better believe I put them down and walked away. I did however pick up a six pack of Bud.

Back to the campground to do my chores and have breakfast.

Did some Blogging after breakfast. No rush today it is a day off the bike and off the touring stuff and just time to relax and do some chores then more relaxing.

Visited the laundry mat and chatted with a lady who's husband has been retired for several years. They go to all the NASCAR Races around. They have an RV and both ride bicycles. He has a recumbent that I have seen just down the lane. He says to enjoy life now cause you never know. He has had both carotid arteries reamed out and just thinks he should enjoy life now. You never know. Sounds good to me.

Was chatting with a man who has a enormous RV and pulls a trailer along behind with their Lexus SUV and his hobby jet model airplanes. He says the rig is 68 foot long on the road. He is from California.

Next up was lunch. A few ham sandwiches and some chicken noodle soup I purchased at the Dollar store before leaving. It wasn't great but could be with some extra seasonings or used as a base in a dish.

Washed the Goldwing. Now that it is clean it looks so much more impressive than when it was dirty from the road.

Took a nap even though it was 83 degrees. The tent is in partial shade and there is a breeze. I did however plug in both my little fans for additional wind chill factor.

Sitting here typing away I noticed a visitor to the camp site.

Day 9

Up early to get breakfast done and posting pictures that would not upload last night.

The KOA runs a shuttle to the French Quarter twice a day. I caught the 9:00 am shuttle into the city. There were so many guests wanting to go to the French Quarter they had to send three shuttles at once to carry everyone. The shuttle left us off at the Visitor Information Center along the Mississippi just across the street from Jackson Square and the entire French Quarter. 

Just across from the Visitor Information Center a River Boat.

From the visitor center the trolley goes right past.

The driver advised us to stay on the left side of the Quarter since it was inspired by the Americans who settled here and had the street action. The right side was inspired by the Spanish and was mostly all residential with no street action.

As soon as I crossed Decatur St. I heard someone playing his trumpet back on the river bank. I thought darn that makes sense this is the city of Jazz.

On Jackson Square in front of the Louisiana State Museum I came across a street band playing their hearts out.

Even the homeless guy got into the action.

 

I ventured into the Louisiana State Museum for a tour and took advantage of the Senior discount.

 

This is a painting of the Battle of New Orleans

 

A map of the Louisiana Purchase

Second floor balcony in the Museum.



Did you know that New Orleans was first French, then Spanish, then French and finally America territory. Look up the history for some interesting facts.

Here are a couple of street/building scenes.

Jackson Square Gardens.

Dog waiting on his Master who was taking pictures of the street band.

 

I was getting hungry so I thought I would look for an interesting place to eat. I found Rivers Edge Restaurant at St Ann and Decatur Street. Ordered an Abita Purple Haze Beer and a Fried Oyster Po Boy Sandwich. Both were good but the Po Boy was wonderful. Great with Cocktail Sauce or Tarter Sauce.

 

Walked outside after lunch to find street actors doing their thing.

 



There is music everywhere here. I walked down Royal street and stumbled upon a band called Smoking Time Jazz Club. There were seven musicians and two dancers. I stood there for about six different tunes. What an experience.

Walked towards the River to find on the other side of the Jackson Square were more street actors. They had some really loud equipment playing good music to  dance to. Like Michael Jackson  and some others with great beat behind their music. Anyway there were five or so guys. One had his shirt off and he had abs to die for. Really great looking guy with dreads in a top pony tail. He had the crowds attention, he backed up some 100 feet down the side walk and ran, then somersaulted about six times before running out of room. The crowd went wild. I didn't take any pictures because I was across the street looking over these.

Since I was running out of steam myself I decided to go back to the river and  sit along the banks for a while. A few shots while there.

The river is not low any longer like it was just last month. The snow melt and rain has caused the Mississippi to be more navigable and they can carry larger loads.

 River ferry boat docking

 

While waiting, there was a lady on the top of the Natchez Paddle Boat playing a steam calliope. 

 

Well at the appointed time the shuttle bus was there to pick us up. On the way back to the campground the driver took us by the Jazz Festival. What a throng of people. This is a really big deal in town. I did not want to go for two reasons, one $65 admission charge and all the people. Also we drove through the Spanish residential French Quarter, what beautiful homes. It felt like you could walk into any house and be at home. They were so comfortable and old looking.

 

Back at camp I made supper of cube steaks with sautéed carrots and zucchini. Needless to say the three Buds help to relax this old traveler.

 

Well tomorrow is another day and I plan on doing household chores around the camp site like wash clothes, wash bike, blog some and plan my next few steps.

Day 8

Start mileage 92458
End mileage 92622
Daily mileage 164
To date total miles 1629


The day was overcast put dry. What a relief. I slept like a rock last night after the rain yesterday. The McDonalds two Big Mac's and small fries did not give me the runs or anything which is what they warn you about on the road. Breakfast at Best Western was good and warm and tasty. Something about sausage gravy over biscuits that really turns me on. Maybe it was the freaky round bacon. BTW, French toast is good too. Grabbed some extra yogurts and an apple and banana for the road. The banana was due to having slight calf cramps at night occasionally. I thought the potassium would do me good.

 I had checked out the distance from Moss Point Mississippi to New Orleans and knew it would be a short riding day. I liked that idea. So I took off with my leather jacket and yellow jacket again. It was slightly chilled when riding.

When I hit the Louisiana boarder I took the usual picture of the sign

After visiting the Visitor Center and having a coffee I ventured back out to the bike. Just as I got there two fellows pulled up in the neatest old car/truck. One was a 32 for pickup with a Chevy bed and the other an orange roadster with a matching trailer. I immediately wowed as I saw them. I asked if I could take pictures. Turns out they were headed to a car show about 60 miles away. I wished them luck and hoped nothing would harm these wonderfully restored machines. I gave them my blog URL and advised they might want to check out the pictures later today or tomorrow.

Kept running on US 10 West and eventually  came to New Orleans. I had to travel past and get off on exit 223A and venture into Kenner LA and follow the directions to KOA. The directions were right on the money.

I got a campsite that is the front yard of an unused house. Since there is a Jazz Festival in town I had to take a three night stay. That was a little expensive but it will force me to see the sites here in New Orleans. I setup camp and it looks pretty neat.

When I signed in I asked for a recommendation for good Cajun food. They advised Mulate's in town. So after setting up camp, eating lunch, changing shoes, I placed what I thought I needed in the tent. I booted up the computer and did some research on the restaurant and directions. I thought since I had plenty of time I would just lay down and take an hours nap. That was very refreshing.

Seems it is easiest to go back on US 10 East and get off at exit 234B. Then run downtown until you come to Convention Center Blvd and TR. Mulate's is on the left. I parked in a lot across the street and went in. It was early, about 5:00 pm so no one was there. I sat at the bar. I told the bar keep that I was on a trip to the Pacific Coast Highway and would only be in New Orleans this once and wanted to eat some authentic Cajun food. I told her I was in no hurry. She brought the menu and the first thing was their house specialty, Catfish with crawdad etouffee. I ordered it spicy since Cajun food was spicy. I also had a locally brewed dark beer that was on tap. The beer was good and the food was really tasty. I loved the rice jambalaya and the sautéed veggies done just the way I do them at home, nice and crispy.

Went back to campground after supper. Traffic was a little slow on the way back. When I entered the grounds there were three motorcycles sitting at the office. I continued on to my site. I walked down to the office to make a reservation for the shuttle to the French Quarter tomorrow morning at 9:00 am. I will be picked up at 5:45 pm for the trip back. I stopped to chat with one of the three bikers. They are from Michigan. I asked how far. I was told 1500 miles. They left on Saturday. They had stayed in motels during those days and today was the first they camped.

Back to the camp to organize stuff for tomorrow. I will have to do laundry either Friday after I get back or wait until Saturday, Saturday is more likely. A nice hot shower and here I am typing away. I have been sitting here after dark, just freshly showered and juicy for mosquitoes to feast upon so I sprayed real good with repellant and wrapped my towel over my shoulders. It is working so far. I hope that none got into the tent when I opened the screens.