Molson Bike Tour (North): Field Trip - Culture and Cajun Hanging

The big head took a field trip south this past week to areas unseen before by said big head; Vicksburg, Mississippi and New Orleans. The mission for the former was a visit to the national military park that some say is second only to Gettysburg in terms of capturing the setting of the many, many civil war battles. As someone who has now seen both, that seems about right.

I flew into New Orleans on St. Patrick's Day, rented a car and drove to Vicksburg for the two night stay there. The drive north out of New Orleans was pretty wild as I would compare it to driving over ten Zilwaukee Bridges. Concrete on water for miles and miles; wild. I arrived in Vicksburg at about 3 PM, checked into my hotel, and asked what every Midwestern person would on St. Patrick's Day, "Where is the local pub?" The lady at the front desk gave me a blank look and with a straight face replied, "Oh, it is St. Patrick's Day, isn't it?" She then told me the only thing that would be open on a Sunday would be the casinos. They just don't do the green scene. They also don't do anything fast there. That is not a rip; it's just the way of life down there. Come August when it's humid as all humid, I would learn to slow down as well. I went for a run through town and by the looks I got from the locals, I think I was the first non-walker they had ever seen.

Monday came and off to military park visitor center I went to start my tour. While waiting for the short Vicksburg civil war movie to begin, I overhear two very large southern fellas talking about the 16 mile tour. In a thick southern accent, one said to the other, "read all those flags, bound to take you all day." I can't make this stuff up. Thank you world.

Michigan well represented

The tour was everything as advertised. The drive takes you through the Union side and their battle views and ends on the Confederate side with outstanding tributes throughout. The terrain made for some head scratching on my part if I was fighting back then. "Let me get this straight general, you want me to run up that big hill there where a group of the enemy is hanging out waiting to shoot me? Yeah, no" Charge up the hill they did though.

Asa Reeves highlighted

I was able to locate a "Reeves" soldier listing inside the Illinois Memorial. One Asa Reeves fought for the 77th Infantry for Illinois. I heard Asa kicked some serious ass and loved his whiskey (ha). While all of the state memorials were great, the Illinois one was probably the best.
The restored navy boat, the U.S.S. Cairo, was equally impressive. You read about them but seeing one in person is wild. We've come a long way in 150 years but that is still a pretty cool boat. No, I don't think it would do too well in the fishing channels though. A bit bulky.
The Vicksburg scene was a nice one. Work on that St. Patrick's Day ritual next year though people.

Illinois Memorial

Heading back to New Orleans on Tuesday, I was able to drive on one of the better motorcycle (or bicycle) riding roads out there, the Natchez Trace Parkway. I only rode for about 30 of the 400+ miles it encompasses; however, for those 30 miles, I only saw two cars. A nice jewel it is.
So, this brings us to the New Orleans portion of the field trip. I roll into town late Tuesday afternoon ready to tackle the French Quarter. Well, Tuesday night, the French Quarter tackled back. Mix in a few "hurricanes" with some "Louisiana Lightning" drinks and you have the makings of a very sore Wednesday morning. Mental note to future Tim, STAY AWAY FROM THE SUGAR BOOZE DRINKS!!!!!!!

Illinois Memorial

I eventually recovered I am happy to report and was able to check out quite a bit of this crazy (good crazy) city. As someone who has hoofed many of miles through the streets of Chicago, the French Quarter is a walk in the park in terms of proximity to everything. The street people are second to none. As opposed to the panhandlers in the "D" who more or less just have a hand out, these folks are at least bringing something to the table. There were many of them as my pictures only give a slice of the experience. You had one guy painted New Orleans Saint gold from head to toe, sitting in a statue pose with his middle finger in the air along with a sign protesting the NFL's suspension of the Saints for "bounty-gate." My favorite was the guy who trained his dog to play dead in the middle of the street; he would then put a cardboard casket around the dog with a sign asking for money to bury his dead dog (pictured below).
It was not all beer and people watching (okay, it was a bit) as the St. Charles Trolley only cost $1.25 to ride and takes you out towards the fancy New Orlean homes. You jump on and off the trolley as needed and with a few pubs mixed in, you have the makings for a fun afternoon.
Thank you to my Creole friends for a great experience.
Trail Head