Ain't Easy in the Big Easy

We left early as another storm was predicted to arrive in the afternoon. It was only about a 90 mile drive and the wind, felt at times, was not a factor. Barb guided me down I-10 which included a long bridge across the edge of Lake Pontchartrain. I wondered, at first, why the lack of traffic. Discovery soon made. There is much construction on the bridge and we were stopped for around 30 minutes. As we were able to proceed, traffic became intense and the roads were very bumpy. Elevated highways took us part of the way through New Orleans. Empty neighborhoods were frequent, homes and apartments standing abandoned. A Wal-Mart and the huge 7 Flags Amusement Park (which never opened) appeared to be ghost towns. The rough, congested and narrow highways transformed into congested city streets.

Our campground is in the Jefferson Parish, just a block from the Mississippi. We can see the dikes from our campsite. Barb and I boarded our bikes to brave the wind and explore the area. A paved bike trail tops the levy and we rode the level trail. Views of the wide expanse of water and the huge cargo ships were limited by the trees along the banks and our ride was short due to the wind.

It is 4:30, the wind continues and the rain is beginning to fall. Thunder can be heard and memories return of that day in Panama City. Tonight will not be like that night and the sun is expected to shine tomorrow.