Day 31- Mandeville, LA to New Orleans, LA & Swamp Tour

I tried to leave super early (thanks to daylight savings) to make a 9:30 swamp tour. I was booking it at 17 mph, but still had 7 miles to go with 15 minutes left on the clock. I realized it wasn't going to happen and went to have breakfast.

I also noticed that along the way, I had lost a Croc that was bungeed onto my bag. I replaced them with a cheap pair of sandals and trucked on to towards the swamp tour.

I was flagged down by a man in his 60's who was curious about my ride. We talked for a while about his ambitions for a trip and at the end he asked if I needed anything. People were so generous on this trip.


It's a hot dog, if you're wondering

Cyprus Swamp

 

 

I made it to the 12:00 noon tour. There were gators and birds, but the tour guide finished late, really putting a cramp in schedule. Bikes were not permitted on two of the bridges that crossed Lake Ponchartrain. The detour provided some beautiful and serene views before entering the busyness of New Orleans.

 

 

 

 

I got a flat with 17 miles to go. I knew that changing it would take some time and it was already starting to get dark. I decided to just pump it up, as it was a slow leak. Just then, it downpoured and I was soaked. Thankfully, it only lasted 15 minutes or so. But I was soaked.

It was dark and I just entered the outskirts of the city. The traffic was crazy with two close calls that last hour. I called my host and while he was trying to determine where I was, my phone died. Fortunately, the solar charger was powered up and the phone could be ressurected. I followed him home and grabbed a shower.


Victory!!!

Then we planned to go to dinner and on the way, after being warm, clean and dry, it downpoured again. We just laughed through the rain though (mostly because I had a cocktail on an empty stomach) and enjoyed dinner totally drenched.