{"id":23404,"date":"2018-05-04T21:38:43","date_gmt":"2018-05-05T01:38:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=23404"},"modified":"2018-05-04T21:38:43","modified_gmt":"2018-05-05T01:38:43","slug":"day-20-friday-may-4-livonia-to-baton-rouge-louisiana","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tourdebocrie.com\/?p=23404","title":{"rendered":"Day 20. Friday, May 4 – Livonia to Baton Rouge, Louisiana"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two steps from our hotel and we were on the highway on a cool (70\u00b0) and foggy morning.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0With no wind in our face, pedaling was easy and rhythmical; the traffic pulling us along.\u00a0 As the amount of \u00a0tractor trailers and traffic in general increased, so did the grip on our bikes. \u00a0Not much to see,\"\"<\/a> but we had our eyes glued to the shoulder trying to avoid glass and road wire that always accompanies heavily trafficked roads. \u00a0The noise of the now continuous traffic was almost deafening.<\/p>\n

Just before this narrow bridge\"\"<\/a> and our steep assent over the Mississippi, most of the traffic thankfully turned off to join the interstate. \u00a0Knowing there was no shoulder on the bridges, we were happy the competition for driving space was minimized.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0Drivers we did encounter were very polite, not only moving over a lane, but driving past us at school zone<\/em> speed. \u00a0We were surprised to see a Baton Rouge skyline filled with industry. \"\"<\/a>\u00a0Once on the other side of the Mississippi bridge, roads were dreadful, shoulders virtually nonexistent.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0We were happy to rest when waved down by a driver.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0“Don’t even think about stopping in the next five miles,” he said. \u00a0The area seemed harmless enough, an enormous refinery on one side\"\"<\/a> and spacious parks on the other.\"\"<\/a> \u00a0But, when we heard a siren blast behind us, we could not wait to get out of the way; instead we got pulled over. \"\"<\/a>\u00a0Apparently, our picture taking of the Exxon plant was concerning. \u00a0Once it was determined we were not a threat, \"\"<\/a>Officers Van (Homeland Security) and Barry (Sheriff) were wonderful and apologetic. (last names withheld). \u00a0Seriously, us threatening?!?<\/em>\u00a0 No harm, a good laugh, plus directions to our hotel.<\/p>\n

Once again we found a road in desperate need of repair or under repair;\"\"<\/a> very tough to tell.<\/p>\n

We thought the “River Road” would be scenic, but it just proved to beat us up, gaps in the pavement threatening to swallow our bikes. \u00a0Once downtown, a turn into the city dropped us into the middle of set up for the Crawfish Festival (they really cannot get enough of crawfish in these parts<\/em>).\"\"<\/a> \u00a0Three block and 33 miles later, we found our hotel; happy not to be too far away when the party started later.<\/p>\n

We could not have picked a better location, even if we knew what we were doing. \u00a0Charming streets, \"\"<\/a>The Old Post Office \"\"<\/a>(built in 1894, then became the state capital in 1935), \"\"<\/a>The (other) Old State Capitol,\"\"<\/a> the Science Museum,\"\"<\/a> The USS Kitts,\"\"<\/a> plus several veteran memorials including \"\"<\/a>Lieutenant General John Archer Lejeune and of course,\"\"<\/a> the Mississippi River.<\/p>\n

Tonight in downtown Baton Rouge was “Live at Five” (happens only five times a year) and the once a year “Crawfish Festival” – all you can eat; shame that we are not big crawfish fans. \u00a0But there were plenty people that came\"\"<\/a> for the food and festivities. \u00a0The place was packed \"\"<\/a>and everyone \"\"<\/a>seemed to be enjoying the entertainment.\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We elected to find a place to sit for a drink, a quite authentic Irish bar, except for our bartender, R2D2,\"\"<\/a> “May the 4th be with you” (get it?), yes, she actually said it! After \"\"<\/a>happy hour, we walked around the corner for a delicious<\/em> yet totally nontraditional (for this area) Mediterranean dinner. \"\"<\/a>\u00a0Served with plastic, like all the vendors outside, but we got to sit and the food could not be beat……especially the Baklava.<\/p>\n\n\t\t