Day 209 Feb 24, 2017 Biloxi, MS to Slidell, LA

By far, the number one question we are asked is, How many miles do you do in a day?  If we were in Colorado, our response might be 35, but it is pretty flat in our current territory, so we answer, around 50. The honest answer is that it depends upon the terrain, wind, traffic, how many days we have already ridden, where h/motels are located, what they cost, local attractions, and whim.

This week, the distance was dictated by hotels. Tillman's Corner was less than 30 miles from Mobile, because the closest hotel after that would have had us riding 70 plus miles - too far. Likewise, we had to have a long day going into Slidell or New Orleans. Considering the traffic going into NO and the fact that we'd like to get there before the populous is completely hammered, we decided to go 65 miles into Slidell.

We were a little anxious, 65 miles is a long way, but we knew it would be flat so we were not super concerned. The day started warm and sunny, though it would cloud up later. Google wanted us to take the pleasant sounding Beach Blvd, also known as US-90, a six lane, heavily traveled expressway. We declined.

 Much of the early miles wound through rural areas or small cities. The standard tree-lined streets, stop signs and traffic lights. Pleasant, but a bit time consuming. By the time we stopped for a Subway lunch in Bay St. Louis, clouds had moved in and the wind was picking up.

When you live this close to the water...

The second half of the day, was near the shore or on bridges crossing various rivers, wetlands, and the Chandeleur Sound.

The Bay St Louis bridge was amazing. The two mile long bridge not only crossed the Chandeleur Sound but gave us a view of a railroad bridge South it.

You can tell this is a working bridge not only because of the train on the right, but because the swing bridge is closed. 

If a railroad bridge is no  longer in use, it is left in the open position. 

Much as we enjoyed the beach scenery, we struggled with a strong head wind. There were times when we barely made 9mph.

Halfway across the Pearl River, we entered Louisiana. Whup whup, state number 19! We were hoping to find a Welcome to Mississippi sign on the other side of the road, but it was not to be. I guess Mississippi either wants to fly under the radar, or figures if people do not know where they are, it's not the states problem :)

Sunday we are heading for the The Big Easy! Exciting!

Day 208 Feb 23, 2017 Tillman's Corner AL to Biloxi, MS

Yes, we add another new state, our 18th state we have ridden in since leaving Grand Rapids. We are not sorry to be leaving Alabama. The League of American Bicyclists rates Alabama as the least friendly state for biking in 2016, #50 out of 50. The year's before ranking was 50 also. Mississippi ranks 32; Michigan is 18. Today's route: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/19101994

Today's ride started with some gently rolling hills which basically flattened out once we reached the Mississippi border.



Our usual fans were present.


Some of the spring flowers are starting to fade. Seems odd to us. It is still February.




There was no "Welcome to Mississippi" sign, but behind us on the other side of the road was a "Welcome to Alabama" sign, so we figured this to be the state border.

As we left Pascagoula, we encountered our first serious climb of the day, the Veterans Memorial Bridge over the Pascagoula River. We also had to ride on US-90 for a few miles. Good shoulder, but three lanes of 60 mph traffic can wear on you.

The land in these parts is pretty flat, but their bridges can really test your climbing legs. Some views from the bridge.







The views were nice despite the traffic.

The Pascagoula bridges were the end of US-90 for us today, and we returned to secondary roads.



They do take Mardi Gras seriously down here.


Our last major hill was the Biloxi Bay Bridge. At least it had a bike lane.


View from the top.


Tomorrow we ride 62 miles to Slidell, LA. I'm tired. Good night.

Day 207 Feb 22, 2017 Daphne (Mobile) to Tillman's Corner AL

The "plan" was to go to Tillman's Corner yesterday, Biloxi Mississippi today, Slidell Louisiana the day after, and arrive in New Orleans on Friday the 25th. Since the route to Tillman's was only 27 miles and it was raining, we decided to leave around 11AM. The closer we got to the appointed hour, the less appealing the plan became. Twenty-seven mile is not a long day, but it would still be riding in the pouring rain for the better part of 3 hours. Yuck. Time to revise. We called the hotels in Tillman's Corner and Biloxi and moved our reservations back 24 hours.

With time on our hands, I decided we better look for a hotel in New Orleans. Easier said than done. Many hotels were sold out because of Mardi Gras, and the lowest price tag for those that were left was about $385- per day. A bit out of our range, so I began searching out of town places. Unfortunately, there is not a lot around New Orleans. With exception of hotels with reviews that described dirty, roach and bedbug infested room, there was nothing closer than Slidell, 30 miles away. After researching many what if we.... scenarios, we found a place to stay in New Orleans between Sunday the 26th and March 1st.                                      

Leaving Daphne, we were able to skirt around a very busy road by using a bike path. It actually went under the busiest part of the roads which made life a bit easier. It did however have some steep climbs and sharp corners. We can do steep or sharp corners, but not both at once so we had used our two foot gear in some sections.



The trail was called Alligator Alley. The warning signs seemed clear. We have seen many "Alligator habitat" signs, but this one seemed to leave little doubt.

I stared at these for quote a while until we decided they were fake :(

To get to Tillman's Corner, or anywhere west of Mobile, you have to cross both the Mobile and Chattahoochee Bays. Luckily for us the bay was not a problem.

 We could take US 10 if we had a death wish or ALT 90 if not. We chose Alt 90 and spent the better part of 10 miles on and off bridges. The picture on the left shows the US 10 which was at least 8 miles long and full of traffic. Alt 90 was busy as well, but had a lower speed limit and a shoulder to ride on. Since our first 13 miles was mostly the Mobile and Chattahoochee Bays, we saw a lot of water, swamp wet lands, and fishing birds like the cormorants pictured below.

 Unluckily for us, we also had to cross the Mobile River. There are three ways to do it. Take one of the two tunnels or go 5 mile north, cross a bridge, and go 5 miles south. While the tunnels did not appear to be strictly prohibited, there was no "no bikes allowed!" signs, it would be really, really stupid to take a tunnel. They are long and barely wide enough for two cars let alone a bicycle.


The trip north was through industrial waste land, oil refineries, shipping, and warehouses. Not exactly picturesque and the smell was just as lovely. This is what I think of when I hear people say Wind-generators are so ugly! .Compared to what?, I think. I've ridden by massive wind farms, and believe me, they are FAR better looking, and smelling, than oil refineries.

Beyond the left side of the picture is miles of industrial waste land.

 As we neared the bridge, we were able to see the USS Alabama. I swear, the only ship in 4000 miles that we have not toured. (John contends there was one other, but I have my doubts :)

The bridge was quite the sight. It's huge with graceful structural wires and a steep arch.

A panorama of the river's more picturesque side.

The Southern 5 miles through Mobile was urban: poor working class neighborhoods and businesses. As we neared Tillman's Corner, the scenery once again turned to tree lined streets and historic homes.

Tomorrow we head out to Biloxi, Mississippi, a new state and one 50 miles closer to Mardi Gras!

Day 204-6 Feb 18-20, 2017 Daphne (Mobile), AL

MARDI GRAS!!!

 Folks from Mobile will tell you, repeatedly, that Mobile was the FIRST Mardi Gras, dating back to 1709. It is also the BEST Mardi Gras, cultured and with a sense of history, not like those drunken uncouths in New Orleans. Our friend Nancy has a brother who lives in Mobile. He was more than willing to show us around for the night. He even offered to get us tickets for one of the balls, but floor length evening gown and tails don't fit us well, so we declined.

First things first. We needed to get lunch and a beer. As has been said to me, "How can you drink all day if you don't start in the morning?" 

 
 On our way to have a beer.


 

 

We met Dave in the bar. He is a member of the mystic organization of the Strikers, one of the oldest mystic organizations in Mobile. They don't have "krewe" here, rather "mystic organizations." He offered us much advice, all of it good. Offered to "load us up" with trinkets from his float in the parade on Thursday, but we will be on the road, so we had to decline.

Dave.
 

 After beers and a burger, we went to watch the afternoon parades.
 

 

 



 

 

 

 You get the idea. All the people on the floats were throwing stuff. Mostly beads (we have a ton), but also moon pies, cups, stuffed animals, candy, ice cream sandwiches (really), bubble gum, etc.

We were told that it is actually NOT, NOT, NOT the thing to do to expose boobs in order to get more beads and stuff. You will be arrested, and the fine is $1,000. Perhaps that is done on Bourbon Street in New Orleans, but most assuredly not in Mobile.



Night time parades were cooler some how. Maybe just the lights, but better.

 

 

Some short videos, if I am successful.

Today we went to the Mardi Gras Museum in Mobile. We were both astounded by the time, expense, and effort put into the costumes for the king and queen of the Mardi Gras.

Not so much.

 

 Worn by the king and queen in 2016. Those are their trains flanking them in the picture.



 All hand sewn.



 More from previous years. Often, two children escort the queen, tugging on her train so that she is able to move.



 

 We are riding 27 miles tomorrow to Tillmans Crossing. In the rain. Yuk. Still, it is only 27 miles. The temperatures will be in the mid to upper 60's, so we shouldn't be cold, and leaving now will get us to New Orleans for that more vulgar Mardi Gras.