We are now going to Hammond, LA, which is close to New Orleans, LA. Some of the Interstate going to Louisiana is long stretches of bridges that go over swamp land. Every time we go across them, I look for alligators , but haven't seen one yet. One day, maybe I will.
Going on the back roads in many of the states are the most scenic and interesting. You will see so many different things. As we traveled on I- 10 East into Louisiana we left the interstate and went on a US highway 190. Along this stretch of road I even saw a tractor for sale. I had to take a picture of it for if it has a phone number on it I can let my friend know about it, for her husband likes to take old tractors and restore them.
As you can see we have left the drought conditions and hit rain. Five hundred miles and the difference in weather conditions can go from one extreme to another. The weather forecast said we would be in for rain for the next few days. As if the people around New Orleans can use more water. The soil is saturated now from all the flooding. The water is just pooling along side the road now.
With all the moisture in the air and the high temperatures it brings humidity. It is a little disconcerting to be able to see the air that you breath. Not only does the humidity make feel as if you are in a sauna, but to look out over the landscape it gives you an eerie feeling. The moss that hangs down from the trees and the wind blowing towards evening, you would think a ghost or two would be popping out at you. The only thing I saw was a dead armadillo and smelled a skunk
Every few miles I would see the sign for this restaurant. When I looked down the road to where the place was suppose to be, I didn't see much of anything. I have found, though, that some of the best food can be found in small little places that look like nothing on the outside, but on the inside there is a lot of character and good food. That is one of the draw backs of being in an 18 wheeler, you can't go and check out the places you see very easily.
In the same building you can find two different types of food. One you can just go in and buy crawfish and take it out and eat it on the go. No matter where you go in Louisiana you will always find signs for crawfish and Cajun food.
This place I found so interesting. These are cement statues of dolphins and various other things. I wonder who would buy these. The town was in such an out of the way place. But, then again there is the Internet and I suppose they would be able to reach many people that way.
The homes we saw were very basic. Most of them are on pylon's and you have to be careful of snakes and other animals that like to live under the house. I guess the saying, "Be careful where you step" would apply here, for sure.
The bridges that cross the Mississippi are beautiful and in some cases steep. Up and over you go, is what I feel like at times.
Here in Baton Rouge, this is the tallest building, as you can see. I would imagine that the view from the top of the building would be breath taking. You probably could see all of Louisiana. Well, maybe a lot of it.
And as you travel along the interstate in many areas you can look down into the neighborhoods and see how they live and what the communities look like. Some are very well maintained and others are just forgotten, or just plain don't care. It is sad to see those areas. It seems as if the residents of those neighborhoods just gave up on life.
Once again we are crossing the Mississippi River. The river at times is so low you could walk across it, but today it was flowing high and fast.
The barge traffic on the Mississippi hasn't changed much over the decades, with the exception of the barges having motors instead of paddles or steam engines. Goods are still transported from market to market this way. Sometimes I see them full of bales of cotton going to market. Take a step back in time when you see that
I had to make this picture a little bit bigger than the rest, so you could read the sign in it. Now I would like to know just what Louisiana Mud Painting is. I would be afraid to even venture a guess , for when you are in the South, you never know what could be.
Well we will soon be to our customer and find out where our next adventure will take us. So until then..see you On the Other Side.
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