Q. You know that river? A. Atchafalaya - Gesundheit!

Although we got a really late start on leaving for today's ride on Cheeto, we did make good time, saw wonderful sights and even experienced a great lunch at little greasy spoon near Morgan City. But let me back up.

Jannette and I rarely know where Cheeto will take us until we saddle up. That's part of the allure of riding in southern and southeastern Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Today, we thought maybe we'd head toward Avery Island and the Tabasco Sauce (McIlhenny Company) property. At least we knew we'd start that direction and see what happened. It was a warm day today, with highs in the upper 80's and low 90's depending on how close you were to Lake Ponchartrain. The humidity was quite high too, although we've become somewhat acclimated, and now anything below 80% is downright heavenly.

US 90 runs throughout the state and it's actually a pretty nice thoroughfare. Most places it's at least 4 lanes wide, sometimes with a neutral ground (median). Not usually high speed, but frequently with a 65 mph limit. That was good for us today.

We headed from Slidell, down Interstate 10 to Harahan and jumped on US 90 after crossing the Huey P. Long bridge over the mighty Mississipi. From there, we westbanked it through Boutte, Raceland, Houma and Gibson. 

We stopped for fuel at a little Casino/Gas Station/Mom & Pop restaurant, called Cash Magic Bayou Vista, just across the Atchafalaya River from Morgan City. The place was called Sam's Southern Eatery, and their logo is of a Jumbo Shrimp (yes, I realize that's an oxymoron). I had a double cheeseburger (cause nothing tastes better than a homestyle hamburger), while Jannette had the fried shrimp Po-boy. Those shrimp were indeed jumbo!

While eating, we decided that Avery Island would have to wait for another trip, as there's a ton to do there and it was approaching 4pm and we were 119 miles from home. However, rather than doubleback and head home the same way (a cardinal sin for motorcyclists is to take the same route twice), we checked out another route to get us north to Interstate 10 east of Gonzales.

Finding LA-70 was tough enough in the quaint burg of Morgan City, but when the signs have either been torn down from storms, stolen by college students, or just bent so that they don't truly show the correct way, they are less than helpful. Finally getting ourselves on course, we took LA-70 and immediately enjoyed the beautiful scenery as it threaded along a spit of land between Flat Lake and Lake Palourde. The road was in fantastic shape, and there were a lot of interesting things to grab our attention: Graveyard Island, Spunky Monkey Daiquiris,Old River and Bayou Calist.

The only thing spoiling our second trip across the Big Muddy was the heavy canvas tarps covering the bridge skeleton while maintenance crews repaired and repainted the Sunshine Bridge. Shortly after that, we picked up I-10 and did the boring 75 mph 'haul-ass' back home. We were lucky that LSU was busy with a late game getting their rear ends spanked, because that kept traffic (for us) light.

As usual, Cheeto performed her best with nary a hiccup or sneeze. As a reward, she'll get an oil change soon.

2014

Miles ridden so far: 874.5

Miles ridden on this trip: 257

Total miles in 2014: 1,131.5

Beach baby, beach baby...

So today looked like a great day to answer the whimpering from the garage. Cheeto has been practically begging me to get her back out on the road and in the wind. So we decided that since we couldn't decide on what we really wanted to do today, we agreed to do some magic tricks. Mainly: changing gasoline into noise.

Just as I was backing off the ramp and out of the garage - literally - we got a 15 minute sun shower (you know, the sun is shining brightly, but it's raining). So we waited, dressed for the road and sweating in the garage, but waiting all the same. On the plus side, the direction the rainclouds were headed urged us to take a different route which was mainly 2 lane highways. Those are better than superslab anyway.

We headed out US - 190 East, over to US - 90 East, and made our way toward Waveland, Mississippi. We had three destinations in mind: IP Casino in Biloxi, Silver Slipper Casino in Waveland, and perhaps a thirst-quenching stop or two along Beach Boulevard, heading east, along the Gulf. In the end, we got two of three done. And as my close, personal friend, Meat Loaf says: Two Out of Three Ain't Bad.

The wind was light, which kept the sand on the beach instead of on the roads and in our face, and the beaches were lightly populated (it was getting well past prime sun-bathing time). The traffic was relatively well-behaved and the roads were in great shape. Jannette and I stopped at Shaggy's in Biloxi, watched the last part of a college football blowout, and quenched our thirst carefully (making sure to drink plenty of water). When the karaoke DJ started 'warming up' the crowd with country songs, I realized my cue to get back to my trusty metal steed and let the warbling, tone-deaf bar patrons enjoy each other without my my eyerolls and grimaces.

Rather than keep going a few more miles east to IP Casino, we decided that our growling stomachs needed attention too, and we figured that 'buy one, get one' coupon for the buffet would come in handy.

We cruised along toward the setting sun, then took the scenic route through Bay St. Louis, and eased into a parking spot at "The Slippery Knot" (our word for Silver Slipper Casino). After a great dinner, a brief spate of good luck at the one-armed bandits for Jannette, and some people watching, we reclaimed our spots aboard Cheeto and headed home.

This time we took US - 90 to MS - 607 and picked up I-10 West for the five or six miles until we reached our exit. After filling Cheeto's tank for high-octane food, (and a weird situation with a wandering woman in a dress and flip flops), we popped ol' reliable up on the lift and let her cool down.

2014
Miles ridden so far: 761
Miles ridden on this trip: 113.5
Total miles in 2014: 874.5