New Orleans, Louisiana - Tuesday 1st October
All time record temperatures here again today as the heat stays in the mid to high 90Fs. Today is our last full day and the group headed out for one final short ride to a New Orleans swamp boat experience. Tracey and I chose the "slow" boat (having done a "fast" air boat ride on a previous trip):
We saw several alligators and learned lots of fascinating facts about them including that they have 80 teeth and when they lose one it can regrow in a day and a half. Also there is only one sure fire way to tell a male from a female (a long rubber glove required):
We also learned about the unusual Louisiana Cypress trees that grow in the swamps. They are protected as the state's official tree. Henry Ford used the Spanish Moss that hangs off them, that is neither Spanish nor moss, as the stuffing in Model T seats and that led to the first ever auto recall as it was discovered that it provides a great home to bugs! He also used the wood from the trees to make crates to transport the moss and then recycled the crates for wooden trim on the cars. Nothing wasted.
After we finished the swamp tour we battled the New Orleans traffic to return the Harley to Eagle Rider. Bye bye baby, it was a blast:
Tonight we have our farewell meal with our leader, Alan, and support vehicle driver, Steve, and our fellow riders. This is New Orleans so it will be gumbo, of course.
Tomorrow we fly home.
That's all folks!
really enjoyed reading this what time are you home do you want me to get milk ?
ReplyDeleteWish my lost teeth grew back in a day and a half!
ReplyDelete