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Monday, February 26, 2007

First Ride

We took our first ride yesterday with all the gear mounted up, and it was a rousing success. We took off on I-10 west through the swamps and edgewaters of Lake Pontchatrain, before heading south and crossing the mighty Mississippi and heading back to New Orleans along the river road.

Unfortuneately, there are large mounds on either side of the river so you don't actually get to see much of the river here in Louisiana, you just get to feel the presence of it off to your side, while trodding from tiny town to tiny town, each with their abandoned buildings, and the feeling that nothing new has been builts since the 70's, occasionally passing a huge modern energy plant with gas fire plumes coming from some central chimney.

Just a couple of minor things like my helmet and learning to use our garmin legend GPS and we're going to hit the road, probably on Thursday to Houston, Friday to Brownsville, and then VIVA MEXICO!

Thursday, February 22, 2007

Chomping at the Bit!



We still have not been able to resolve the electrical issue that has been holding us up here in New Orleans. However, we feel that we are getting very close to "go" time. So, today we laid out everything we're taking and packed up our panniers (aka, side bags). Kevin was pretty amazed that we still had some room left over in each bag after packing everything up, but I knew that would be the case since I do fancy myself a master packer. After surveying the equipment, we took one final trip to various stores to get the final things on our lists; sleeping bags, a GPS, ziplock bags, and things of that sort that we thought would come in handy! So, here is the final tally of what will be coming with us:
Clara - 1 pair of jeans, 1 pair of "zippy pants" (nylon pants that turn into shorts), 2 short sleeve t-shirts, 1 long sleeve t-shirt, 1 safari shirt with longs sleeves and collar, 2 pairs of riding socks, 2 pairs regular socks, 1 pair of hiking shoes, 2 bathing suits (mom says you should always take 2), underwear, rain suit, heated jacket liner, sleeping bag, camera, blackberry, toothbrush/paste, soap, shampoo, face cream, deodorant, first-aid kit, pain meds, hat.
Kevin - 1 pair of jeans, 1 t-shirt (Boston Red Sox of course!), 1 pair of zippy pants, 1 safari shirt, 2 undershirts, underwear, 2 pairs of riding socks, 1 pair regular socks, 1 pair of sneakers, rain suit, heated jacket liner, 1 bathing suit, first-aid kit, tools, sunscreen, bug repellent, tooth brush, floss, hat, vitamins, GPS, travel books/maps.
As you can see, we are ready, ready, ready...now all we need is some open road.

Monday, February 19, 2007

Getting everything ready and enjoying Mardi Gras

Haven't left yet...
Happy Lundi Gras!
We're still in New Orleans, tying up some loose ends at our house and getting our motorcycles and gear ready. In the meantime, we're taking in all that NOLA has to offer during the Mardi Gras season...great music, lots of parades, fun parties and lots of beads and other great "throws". We've met some fantastic people who have lavished us with their hospitality and are sure to become long-lasting friends (shout out to Katie, Richard, Margared, Meighan, David, Suzanne...and many more).
Kevin finished mounting his panniers and putting locks on both our panniers, and we took a short teaser ride yesterday to a party.
Tonight we'll be catching the evening parade, Krewe of Proteus, and then we'll be heading off to catch some more live music until the wee hours. Then we'll come home and put on our "costumes" before we head out to catch the Krewe of Zulu and the rest of the Mardi Gras Day parades and festivities...so I'll catch up with you when we've recovered!
Besitos.