Day 28 - Crossing The Mississippi

Departure: Ville Platte, LA      Finish:  St. Francisville, LA     

Distance:    80.4 miles

Elevation gain:  1,132 feet (1,128’ downhill)

Winds: WNW at 12 to 15 mph.

Weather:  Clear Blue. Cool. 51 degrees at departure. 72 degrees at arrival

On bike duration:   4 hrs, 55 minutes. 

Average speed: 16.3 mph

Total Accumulated Miles:  2,126.9

Today we crossed the Mississippi River on the John Audubon Bridge. It’s about 3/4 miles wide at this latitude. The bridge itself was beautiful, and it’s a fun milestone to cross this river on this trip. One interesting thing I have noticed - Louisiana doesn’t bother to mount a sign at a bridge over ANY river. Nothing on the Big Muddy; nothing on the Courtableau Bayou; nothing on the Red River. I guess they figure - If You Know, You Know.

We also crossed the “six-mile bridge” over the Atchafalya (uh-CHAF-uh-lie-yah) Swamp Basin. Very interesting. The bridge starts at Krotz Springs and is two lanes each way. But, it has NO shoulder. So, Dennis followed us in the right-hand lane with his flashers on. We hogged the right lane at 18 mph.

The other highlight today was the first sighting of Spanish Moss in the trees. This old tree was particularly majestic.

Tonight, another Best Western. Dinner was across the street at “The Francis”.  I had shrimp and steak pasta.