hppants
Well-known member
Warmth From California and Florida
Over the past 10 years, I’ve met people from all over the country (and beyond) on my motorcycle. I’ve met them on the Internet and I’ve met them in person. We’ve ridden together, shared food and drink together, and perhaps most importantly, shared our lives with each other.
Many of these people have become my very best friends, and despite the distance between our homes, we’ve found ways to find each other and the excitement of that just adds a whole new level to any motorcycle experience. Most of the time, we get together at a common rally or motorcycle event. But occasionally, we visit each other at home and I’ve had more than my share of opportunities to have fellow riders at my house.
A month or so ago, Doug messaged me about the possibility of a visit. Coming from Grass Valley, CA, Doug was planning a 2-week adventure that would take him to the Ozarks followed by a ride down to Huntsville, AL for a space center visit. South Louisiana is on the way home for Doug, and I was honored to have him here for whatever time he was willing to give. I took a few days off work so that we could play, and it was great fun to say the least.
While Doug was here, I exchanged text messages with Dan from central Florida and in an incredible twist of events, was able to convince him to ride the 907 miles east to spend the weekend with me. Doug left on Friday morning, and Dan showed up later that afternoon.
I showed them both some of my history, culture, and favorite roads. In family rider tradition, we rode together, ate and drank together, and shared our lives with each other. In doing so, I rediscovered some things about my backyard, and myself.
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1: Loop Ride from Lafayette, LA to Natchez, MS: Approximately 400 miles.
I left the house early, about 7:30 am heading East and North. Doug is heading south and west, so we decided to meet in Natchez about 11 am. I’ve got plenty of time, so I decided to take the more scenic route to get there. Like many places in the Deep South, the roads in Mississippi are a mixed bag and some are far better than others. Fortunately for me, I’ve been here a hundred times, and I know which roads are the best and I’ve got them all to myself.
The Homochitto River is pretty dry this morning.
Liberty Road is a winding ribbon of pavement with a lot of history that first started out as a game trail for the indigenous people. Today, on this Wednesday morning, it makes for an excellent way to get to Natchez.
You can’t see it well, but in the background is a gorgeous Plantation style mansion. I gave a friendly wave to the security camera just in case someone was watching me.
I got to the meeting place on time, and not 5 minutes later, I was startled by what looked like a rolling hippopotamus coming right at me.
My apologies, I was mistaken. It’s just Doug on his Goldwing.
We took a short ride to the river to eat lunch at a place I like. I was just here a couple of weeks ago.
Doug was having some stomach issues, so he passed on lunch, but my brisket quesadilla was delicious.
After lunch, we crossed the river and into Louisiana.
Then we turned south at the levee and we’ve got the whole world all to ourselves.
We stopped at what we call the Three Rivers Area, which is basically where the Mississippi, Atchafalaya, and Red Rivers all get very close to each other. I told Doug what I know about the topography associated with this place. There’s a flock of Egrets picking bugs on the lawn down there.
After a fuel stop in Simmsport, we turn south on Hwy 105, also known as The Easy Rider Road. This is where that movie was filmed.
After enduring the afternoon commuter traffic in Lafayette, we arrived safely at my house.
I invited my dad and some buddies over to welcome Doug. Happy Hour seems to be going well.
Doug even agreed to try a Ragin Cajun Red Ale – not sure if he likes it or not, although to me, it’s a very good beer.
Earlier in the week, I made a seafood gumbo. Anything cooked with a roux is better when heated for the second time. So tonight, we will have leftovers but trust me, no one went hungry. This is Doug’s first time trying gumbo and I think he liked it.
I know the locals sure did!
Alex asked his wife to pick up something for dessert, something that a “bunch of bikers would appreciate”.
Red velvet cake and ice cream – very well done, Ms. Judy.
We sat around talking and laughing until bed time. Tomorrow is another day.
Day 2: Loop ride around south Louisiana – approx. 275 miles.
Ride Route: https://goo.gl/maps/orhufsD9Ghm
I woke up early and got the coffee going. My wife left for work at our usual time, and Doug and I took our time getting organized and ready for some fun.
We hit the road about 7:30 and unfortunately, we have got to deal with a little bit of morning rush hour traffic before things settle down.
Trust me Doug – if you had to deal with this bumper to bumper crap every day, you’d feel differently.
I lead us over to Scott, Louisiana for a little Cajun heart attack breakfast.
Tom is retired, and I was glad that he decided to join us today. While our breakfast order is being prepared, Doug enjoyed perusing the fine selection of meats.
Boudin and Cracklins is a traditional Cajun breakfast. It however is not for the faint at heart. I warned Doug that he would need to check his diet at the door.
This little critter like pig skin fried in hog lard too.
After breakfast, we endured about 30 miles of I-10 heading east across the Atchafalaya Swamp, the largest wetland in the United States.
Looking quite well guys!
Now off the slab, we stopped on the side of the road to poke around.
Many of our grave sites are above ground as the water table in these parts is very shallow.
Our Live Oak Trees are massive.
We jumped back on the bikes and I led us through some of my favorite curvy back country roads. Everyone is having a good time. The sugar cane is tall and ready for cutting, so I stopped at a field for a special sweet treat. Doug’s got this part mastered pretty good.
Doug and Tom swapped bikes for a turn. Tom just bought this 2017 Versys 1000 and I like this bike a LOT.
In Plaquimines, we fuel up and then skirt over to the Mississippi River Road for some more adventure. I’m taking this is small 20-mile chunks. We’ve got no where to go and all day to get there.
Next stop is Nottoway Plantation, fully restored in all its glory.
Over the past 10 years, I’ve met people from all over the country (and beyond) on my motorcycle. I’ve met them on the Internet and I’ve met them in person. We’ve ridden together, shared food and drink together, and perhaps most importantly, shared our lives with each other.
Many of these people have become my very best friends, and despite the distance between our homes, we’ve found ways to find each other and the excitement of that just adds a whole new level to any motorcycle experience. Most of the time, we get together at a common rally or motorcycle event. But occasionally, we visit each other at home and I’ve had more than my share of opportunities to have fellow riders at my house.
A month or so ago, Doug messaged me about the possibility of a visit. Coming from Grass Valley, CA, Doug was planning a 2-week adventure that would take him to the Ozarks followed by a ride down to Huntsville, AL for a space center visit. South Louisiana is on the way home for Doug, and I was honored to have him here for whatever time he was willing to give. I took a few days off work so that we could play, and it was great fun to say the least.
While Doug was here, I exchanged text messages with Dan from central Florida and in an incredible twist of events, was able to convince him to ride the 907 miles east to spend the weekend with me. Doug left on Friday morning, and Dan showed up later that afternoon.
I showed them both some of my history, culture, and favorite roads. In family rider tradition, we rode together, ate and drank together, and shared our lives with each other. In doing so, I rediscovered some things about my backyard, and myself.
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1: Loop Ride from Lafayette, LA to Natchez, MS: Approximately 400 miles.
I left the house early, about 7:30 am heading East and North. Doug is heading south and west, so we decided to meet in Natchez about 11 am. I’ve got plenty of time, so I decided to take the more scenic route to get there. Like many places in the Deep South, the roads in Mississippi are a mixed bag and some are far better than others. Fortunately for me, I’ve been here a hundred times, and I know which roads are the best and I’ve got them all to myself.
The Homochitto River is pretty dry this morning.
Liberty Road is a winding ribbon of pavement with a lot of history that first started out as a game trail for the indigenous people. Today, on this Wednesday morning, it makes for an excellent way to get to Natchez.
You can’t see it well, but in the background is a gorgeous Plantation style mansion. I gave a friendly wave to the security camera just in case someone was watching me.
I got to the meeting place on time, and not 5 minutes later, I was startled by what looked like a rolling hippopotamus coming right at me.
My apologies, I was mistaken. It’s just Doug on his Goldwing.
We took a short ride to the river to eat lunch at a place I like. I was just here a couple of weeks ago.
Doug was having some stomach issues, so he passed on lunch, but my brisket quesadilla was delicious.
After lunch, we crossed the river and into Louisiana.
Then we turned south at the levee and we’ve got the whole world all to ourselves.
We stopped at what we call the Three Rivers Area, which is basically where the Mississippi, Atchafalaya, and Red Rivers all get very close to each other. I told Doug what I know about the topography associated with this place. There’s a flock of Egrets picking bugs on the lawn down there.
After a fuel stop in Simmsport, we turn south on Hwy 105, also known as The Easy Rider Road. This is where that movie was filmed.
After enduring the afternoon commuter traffic in Lafayette, we arrived safely at my house.
I invited my dad and some buddies over to welcome Doug. Happy Hour seems to be going well.
Doug even agreed to try a Ragin Cajun Red Ale – not sure if he likes it or not, although to me, it’s a very good beer.
Earlier in the week, I made a seafood gumbo. Anything cooked with a roux is better when heated for the second time. So tonight, we will have leftovers but trust me, no one went hungry. This is Doug’s first time trying gumbo and I think he liked it.
I know the locals sure did!
Alex asked his wife to pick up something for dessert, something that a “bunch of bikers would appreciate”.
Red velvet cake and ice cream – very well done, Ms. Judy.
We sat around talking and laughing until bed time. Tomorrow is another day.
Day 2: Loop ride around south Louisiana – approx. 275 miles.
Ride Route: https://goo.gl/maps/orhufsD9Ghm
I woke up early and got the coffee going. My wife left for work at our usual time, and Doug and I took our time getting organized and ready for some fun.
We hit the road about 7:30 and unfortunately, we have got to deal with a little bit of morning rush hour traffic before things settle down.
Trust me Doug – if you had to deal with this bumper to bumper crap every day, you’d feel differently.
I lead us over to Scott, Louisiana for a little Cajun heart attack breakfast.
Tom is retired, and I was glad that he decided to join us today. While our breakfast order is being prepared, Doug enjoyed perusing the fine selection of meats.
Boudin and Cracklins is a traditional Cajun breakfast. It however is not for the faint at heart. I warned Doug that he would need to check his diet at the door.
This little critter like pig skin fried in hog lard too.
After breakfast, we endured about 30 miles of I-10 heading east across the Atchafalaya Swamp, the largest wetland in the United States.
Looking quite well guys!
Now off the slab, we stopped on the side of the road to poke around.
Many of our grave sites are above ground as the water table in these parts is very shallow.
Our Live Oak Trees are massive.
We jumped back on the bikes and I led us through some of my favorite curvy back country roads. Everyone is having a good time. The sugar cane is tall and ready for cutting, so I stopped at a field for a special sweet treat. Doug’s got this part mastered pretty good.
Doug and Tom swapped bikes for a turn. Tom just bought this 2017 Versys 1000 and I like this bike a LOT.
In Plaquimines, we fuel up and then skirt over to the Mississippi River Road for some more adventure. I’m taking this is small 20-mile chunks. We’ve got no where to go and all day to get there.
Next stop is Nottoway Plantation, fully restored in all its glory.
