If you can't beat the heat, dunk your t-shirt!

[hppants]

When Cjbear11 told us he was riding down to New Orleans with a friend, he was nice enough to share their vacation with Loki, Natehawk750, and myself.  We had a great weekend, mixing the riding with the sightseeing, and of course, some good southern food and drink.

New Orleans for the July 4th weekend - the word “HOT” doesn’t really do it justice.  With 70% humidity, and temperatures in the mid to upper 90’s, it was like riding in a clothes dryer (DAMHIK – I went to college).  Still, we rode through it and enjoyed ourselves none the less.  All bikes ran flawless, and we really had a good time.  For me, the weekend ended up right at 600 miles, and to my surprise, I am a little saddle sore.

A huge thank you goes to Loki for arranging all over night accommodations.  Hope you enjoy the pics.

I left Lafayette for the 120 mile trip to New Orleans about noon Friday, picking up Natehawk750 about ½ way there.  Loki was having a stuck carb float problem, so I torn down a carb from my parts bike.  Turns out, he didn’t need any help as the bike was fixed by the time Nate and I got to NOLA.

Here’s a rare pic – Loki washing his bike.



Our timing was perfect.  Cjbear11 and his friend David had arrived just minutes before.  Cj’s 650 is looking very sharp.



Natehawk750 replaced his NH with a sweet ZRX1200 in a color I had not seen before.  I took a spin on it and, like all liter bikes, it is full of power.  Nice suspension too – the foot pegs are a little rearward, but not so much as it is uncomfortable.



CJBear11’s buddy David rides this ’86 Connie.  29K and runs like a top.  I took a 25 mile stretch on this one.  Felt heavier than I expected, but the Kawi motor is silky smooth.  This bike may have the best brakes I’ve ever tested – I mean this thing stops.  The full fairing is very effective – at anything below 70 mph, it actually feels like I’m riding in a tail wind.  I could ride this bike in very cold weather.



So, we line up the bikes on the side of Loki’s house and turn in the keys.  It’s time to start drinking!!

[hppants]

We get on the Street Car and head straight to the French Quarter and Bourbon Street.  Loki and I thought some authentic New Orleans cuisine was in order – The Acme Oyster House is world famous.



I volunteered to wait in line, and the guys brought me a beer to sip on while they walked the quarter.  Soon, we were sitting down sipping on some cold ones and telling lies.



We ordered a couple of appetizers and Cjbear decided to try a raw oyster.



We also ordered a medley of Southern favorites and agreed to share all around.  It was like a pack of lions destroying a zebra!!



After dinner, we walk down Bourbon Street.  Our Indiana brothers decided to partake in a local favorite – the Hand Grenade.

[hppants]

As usual, things on Bourbon Street are hopping



From left, Loki, Natehawk750, Cjbear11, and his friend David



Of course, no trip down Bourbon Street would be complete without at least one stop at an “Exotic Dancing Establishment”.  The dancers have nice “uniforms”.  At $7.00 per beer, we made it fairly quick.  Of course, no photography is allowed (sorry)

We left the French Quarter fairly early, and stopped at a local pub close to Loki’s house for a couple more.  Then we “walked” (er - zigzagged) the 5 blocks to Loki’s house to crash.

Saturday morning, we got up and rode up town for a delicious breakfast at Slim Goodies Diner.  Then, we hit the road for a little swamp touring.  Now, this time of year, a good way to beat the heat is to find a Bayou and dunk your t-shirt.



We would do this several times during the day.  We spent the day crossing the Mississippi River back and forth, riding through the sugar cane fields, bayous, etc.  We stopped at Oak Alley Plantation to take a photograph.



For some reason, I neglected to take many ride shots that day.  So, we ended up at the camp of Loki’s uncle on Bayou Dularge

[hppants]

Like every other coastal structure, the camp is raised at least 10 feet to protect it from hurricane storm surges.  This is one friggin nice camp.





The view of the marsh from the porch is nice



As a special treat, Loki arranged to use his Uncle’s mud boat so we could go night bowfishing.  This boat is specially rigged with a ton of lighting and motors that can run in just a couple of inches of water.



We launch the boat about 30 minutes before dark.  The bayou is quiet at this time.

[hppants]

Before long, it’s dark and Captain Loki is guiding us through the coastal marsh.



Cjbear11 looks like a pro.



Nice shot David.



Unfortunately, our luck was not so good.  The tide was way out and the water was very low, hindering our ability to get close enough to the fish.  Loki gave it hell though, as we rode around looking for fish until after 2:00 am.  It was a blast just to be out there, but we were pretty tired after that long day.

The next morning, I left fairly early to get home to my SOQS.  As expected, I had another great Nighthawk adventure.  I was thinking that hosting a rally down here would be fun, but not in July – it’s just too darn hot.  SOQS suggested that I do it around Halloween – maybe a Voodoo Rally?

[fishball]

Very cool, great adventure for all of you.

[JB1290]

Great report, Pantsman. Looks like you guys had a blast in NOLA. Your ride reports never disappoint.   

[Brittles]

Nice report HP. Looks like fun.

[ariwhiteboy]

Awesome report as usual Pants, I'm envious. 

CJ-I'm glad your trip was a good one, hopefully one day I can join you on an adventure.

Loki- That beard, that mustachio....

[hockeyhawk]

What a great report pants. I'm jealous of you guys. It's really cool to see how many members from the forum get together to ride and hang out. I'm really looking forward to meeting some members at the PA rally.

Thanks for sharing.

[Burgi]

HP, the term camp; how is it used there? Like a weekend fishing cabin?

[hppants]

As always, thanks for the warm replies.

It's really cool to see how many members from the forum get together to ride and hang out. I'm really looking forward to meeting some members at the PA rally.

HH - this will change the way you look at motorcycling.  My weekend day trips are now just filler between the rallies.

HP, the term camp; how is it used there? Like a weekend fishing cabin?

Sure - or hunting cabin, card game cabin, need a place to bring the other woman cabin, or just "get away" cabin.  They are very popular here in South Louisiana, and everyone knows somebody (or more than one) with a camp.  I've stayed at dozens over the years, and they vary from a "OMG - it's raining and there are snakes in here" to something like Loki's uncle has - which is extremely nice.  Regardless of that, it's always a blast to hang out "at 'de camp".

[Burgi]

I've seen Loki's post referring to them several times but was never exactly sure so it was interesting to see.
Regional term variations.
I tend to think of camp most often as a verb.
In Michigan it was common for people to own a cabin "up north."
In Maine you get a cottage on the coast or shore.

[SirSeanSean]

Wow, looks like you guys had a blast. Very nice report. 

[LOKi]

I've seen Loki's post referring to them several times but was never exactly sure so it was interesting to see.
Regional term variations.
I tend to think of camp most often as a verb.
In Michigan it was common for people to own a cabin "up north."
In Maine you get a cottage on the coast or shore.

More on "Camps" in Louisiana. Like Pants said there are a bunch and they range in size and comfort. There are some "Camps" that cost upwards of $4 million and more and some that are just shacks to get out of the rain. If we where not able to stay at my Uncles camp I was going to try and secure my friends camp. His camp is very close to my Uncles but you must take a boat to get there. This camp is on the levee that borders our duck leas. It's small but great fun because of the seclusion you get by not having a road to get there.

Friends camp a short 18miles from the camp we stayed at.

[cjbear11]

Guys I had one hell of time with you down south this weekend! David and I made it home yesterday around 5pm after putting 543 miles on. What a trip! David and i basically decided o head down on a whim, and I can't thank you guys enough for getting all of that together for us. The rides, the food, the fishing, oh man it was awesome! Anyway I definitely plan on heading down there again sometime. Awesome report as usual Pants. Here are some of my pics:
 
Here we are at the beginning of the Natchez Trace. That road is a really great ride. Not twisty, but it winds through the hills nicely.


Here is a little water fall we found along the trace.


A nice shot of the trace


Here is a view of Mississippi from a little overlook we found.


Here we are after arriving at Loki's house. Pants and Natehawk showed up right after we did. Perfect timing!


We got on a trolly car and headed to the quarter shortly after arriving. Heres Natehawk and Loki laughing it up.

[cjbear11]

Hp, you are the man! Lol


Ah the entrance to Bourbon St.!


This is some of the uber tasty food we were treated to. Mmm....



Let the good times roll!



Here we stopped next to the bayou on our awesome ride around the area.


On the boat headed out to do some bow fishing! Woohoo!


This is about where my picture taking stopped. We rode along the beach for a while. What a view!


Fellas once again I can't thank y'all enough for setting up everything! You guys are awesome, and it's just another reason why this forum is awesome!

Ari, you can join me on my adventures anytime sir! Hopefully I'll see you over labor day!

[ProudGecko]

Hey guys it's David (the Connie rider).  I joined so I give Pants, Loki, and Natehawk a shout out.  Thanks for everything guys, you turned a great trip into an amazing experience!  You Nighthawk guys are an awesome bunch of people.  Hopefully I'll meet up with guys again some day.

[gammer]

Wow...what a great adventure!
Awesome ride report 

[LOKi]

I'm glad everyone had a good time. Too bad about the water quality for bow fishing. We would of had an even better night if we could see the bottom and get closer to the bank. I counted at least 30 or 40 reds near the bank. Just out of reach of what the boat could get to with that much weight in it.

At least we found some clear water to see gators in their natural environment (swimming). Fresh water attracts gators but not reds unfortunately.

I would say we could try another time but I don't think I'll be around that much longer. Not if I can help it anyway. Next time we will have to meet for some of the motorcycle touring part of your trip. Southwest, West Coast, North West?

Sorry Nate couldn't come along on the bow fishing part. But as we all found out, too much weight means too much draw and deeper water needed. Ideally there are 4 people tops for that boat. 5 was really pushing it and with 6 we would have gotten really stuck a few times. I mean stuck like everyone out and push stuck. No fun in mud that you sink up to your waist in.

Anyway glad everyone had a good time.

[Burgi]

Loki you are going to miss all those hook ups when you leave town!

[natehawk750]

Pants & loki as always a good time with you fellas I'm looking forward to tagging along again. As you all could see I'm not quite comfortable with the Rex in the curves just yet. That's just means I need to hit them more often  . Loki no worries about the fishing I'm glad y'all showed the CJ and David a good time it was their vacation anyway!! Maybe we
 can catch up and and do it again later.

CJ- that 650 is alot of fun and looks good too!! I had a good time meeting you and am very much looking forward to the next time "WINGMAN FOR LIFE"!!!! I just wish I could remember burbon st.!!! I'll just take yalls word that it was a goodnight the pictures look like we did!

And David David David David  I thought your name was Jay? any way it was very nice meeting you too glad to see u on the forum. That connie is sweet really smooth. Looking forward to meeting and riding with you too I'm glad y'all had a good time and got home to Illinois ah I mean Indiana ok.

[LOKi]

Loki you are going to miss all those hook ups when you leave town!

Thing is my "hook ups" are all for fishing and hunting. Yes I like those things but I also like climbing up mountains and falling down them. Not to mention hiking, ice climbing, rock climbing, snowboarding, snowmobiling and even cross country skiing. I also want to get into white water kayaking. While I can still hunt and fish any place I go, I can't do these other things in Louisiana. My interests are to broad to only hunt and fish. There are always vacations where I can come home to do these in Louisiana. I'll be getting my life long hunting fishing license before I move away. That way I don't have to pay the outrageous fees to come home and fish.

[JordanA]

I too want to join you on these adventures.  This is the reason I have my bike in the first place (fuel economy is a close 2nd).

edit: anyone want to take a weekend adventure to D.C.?  I haven't been since I was a kid, and I know lots of people up there with places at which to crash for a night or two (Sobek... ehem...).  I'd like to see the sights up there again.

[cjbear11]

Nate you are totally my wingman fo life! Lol. I had a blast riding around with you as well man! I'll be back down there again at some point in the not so far off future, so we'll have to meet up again!

Jordan, like I told Ari, you are more than welcome to join me on any trip! I'm doing another ride down to The Smokeys again at the end of September!