After Saturdays Saddle Sore run from Maryland to New Orleans and my adventure Sunday morning riding in a flooded St. Charles Ave. the rest of the day was an actual delight. Arriving at my friends basement apartment I was able to change out of the sopping wet clothes, enjoy a hot cup of coffee and warm conversation with Bo and Julie. Having Debbie visiting at the same time was an added bonus as she's always good a for a laugh or two. Of course we were all laughing at my antics now that I was dry and safely ensconced in their delightful flat. That afternoon before dropping Debbie off at the airport we went and had lunch at very nice restaurant - unfortunately I don't remember the name. Bo pointed out where the water was during the Katrina flood and I was amazed. He then pointed out that every occupied building in the area had to have anything below the second floor gutted and rebuilt. That also meant that all the electrical and HVAC systems below ground had to be replaced in these buildings. The extent of the damage took on a whole new meaning. Especially the number of office buildings that were still closed. After dropping Debbie off at the airport it was on to the nearest Best Buy so I could replace my iPhone - ouch that was expensive mistake. When we got back to their apartment Bo and I grabbed a beer and went for a walk to the Missisipi and then thru the Audubon Park.

Monday morning I saw Bo off to work and then Julie took me to breakfast at The Camellia Grill. The wait staff were all wearing white jackets with black bow ties and were as entertaining as the food was good. After breakfast we headed back so I could pack up the bike and head out of town.

This is a slide show movie of my trip to New Orleans, the Gulf Coast and the Smoky Mountains. 2700+ miles in 5 days.

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