A Trip Through The Oaks

[hppants]

Brody and I got in about 100 miles today underneath cloudless sunshine.  We left the house at about 9:00am and about 45 degrees and by the time we got home around  2:00 pm, it was in the lower 60's.  It is Superbowl Sunday and we practically had the roads to ourselves.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.

I told Brody about my recent trip to Avery Island, one of 3 salt dome islands on the coast near our homes.  He had already seen the Tobassco plant, but neither of us have toured the gardens there.  So we took the long curvy way to the island.  We were the only people there.  The garden driving tour is on a private driveway.  This garden has the largest and most abundant grove of Live Oak trees I have ever seen.



The island is of course surrounded by swampland and bayous and canals.



We enjoyed riding though these beautiful trees.



They are very resilient and can live to over 300 years.



Every now and then we stop and look around

[hppants]

Nice shot - I think.





Brody's gotten extremely comfortable with his shadow.





Here's a barn of some kind.

[hppants]

We stopped and walked here a while.  It was very peaceful.






These critters are sleeping this time of year - no worries.



These little trees made a neat tunnel.




Back at the store, we grabbed a snack.  I opted for a link of Boudin, a cajun dish made by taking rice and meats and seasonings and encasing it like sausage.


Then my camera batteries crapped out.  I've got to replace them as they no longer hold much of a charge.  I took a bunch more pics, but as you can (not) see, they did not come out.

Brody and I rode another 50 miles though the winding back country.  We stopped along the Vermillion River near it's mouth (at the coast).  I met a guy fishing from the bank.  He had caught 2 beautiful 20 pound blue channel catfish.  I took his picture with them, but my crappy batteries would not write to the memory card.

Anyway - we still had a blast and we are beginning to talk about our first long weekend trip of the year - the Natchez Trace Parkway.

[isleofmanfan]

hppants,  thanks for the tour!  I absolutely LOVE that (?Spanish?) moss.  That is so beautiful.  I bet the birds like to use it for nests.

I see you have tilted your fly screen back up.  Much quieter that way isn't it?!  Tilted more flat like you had it is cooler though.  (obviously for summer)  Which way do you like it better? 

I'm very curious what type of protection/noise the new fixed Bandit 1/2 fairing will supply.

[drdubb]

Great pics, looked like a perfect day/place to ride.

[Burgi]

Those Oaks are such beautiful trees. My aunt has some near her house, I always love seeing them.

[luckylindy]

 I experienced a little of the empty roads riding today too.  Looks like ya'll had a good day.

[hppants]

hppants,  thanks for the tour!  I absolutely LOVE that (?Spanish?) moss.  That is so beautiful.  I bet the birds like to use it for nests.

I see you have tilted your fly screen back up.  Much quieter that way isn't it?!  Tilted more flat like you had it is cooler though.  (obviously for summer)  Which way do you like it better?  

The Live Oaks never shed all of their leaves, but will shed many of them in February/March.  I don't think critters make nests with the moss.  In the old days, people used to cultivate it and sell it for making pillows, mattresses, etc.  It was also mixed with mud to fill in the gaps between logs, fire places, and wall material in our earliest settlements.

The spitfire is quieter and warmer like it is.  As you eluded, I'll tilt it back again when the weather warms.  I guess I like it both ways, depending on the season.

Those Oaks are such beautiful trees. My aunt has some near her house, I always love seeing them.

The Live Oak is our State tree.  I've heard old people say (spoken in French in much simplier terms) it's a symbol for humanity.  It's strong, but will bend plenty in troubling times before breaking.  Quite wise IMO.

[ariwhiteboy]

Very nice report pantsman, looks like a pretty perfect day for riding! 

[JB1290]

Great report, Pantsman... As usual. 

[Brittles]

Nice pics. Those old trees are cool looking!

[chromy]

HP,
  That's awesome and would make for a great ride.  Thanks for sharing.  Reminds me of Savanah. 

[fortyhourdays]

Wow, that's some beautiful country.  Thanks for sharing the pictures.

[highwayjamin]

HP,  I always enjoy your reports and your    But c'mon man your really making  it tough on all of us that cant ride.     I have a new to me Goldwing and I cant even get it out of the garage,and here you are riding all over the place taking    and seeing the world.

Ok I'am sorry    Nice report like always and I will see you in May   

[pschlosser]

hey, on that yellow NH, are those flipped-up forward foot pegs I see?

How are those working out?

[hppants]

But c'mon man your really making  it tough on all of us that cant ride.

HWY - sorry 'bout that.  I really don't see how you northerners can take this winter thing.  Down here, we've had 3-4 days of 20's -30's, and just that is given me heartburn.  Oh well - come on May!!!

hey, on that yellow NH, are those flipped-up forward foot pegs I see?  How are those working out?

They are a nice touch since I got them adjusted correctly.  I use them on long straight stretches, rotating my feet between them, the normal riding pegs, and the rear pegs.  Loki and Coffee Brake taught me to keep changing positions on long rides to avoid Monkey Butt.  It does work.

On the twisty road, I leave the hwy pegs in the up position.  Although it prolly can't happen, I'd hate to drag them in a tight turn.  

I don't know who makes them, as they came with the bike.  But I'll take a closer look and let you know.  

[Soupskin]

It's OK, Pants...

We'll make sure to let all our Northern Brothers know about the weather when its 100+ degrees and 90%+ humidity out.

There is nothing quite like breaking a sweat before daybreak from simply standing still.  Even better when that sweat doesn't evaporate because of the humidity so you end up wet, sticky and stinking all day.

Oh, mosquitoes too!

[chromy]

Soup:  That's just a couple things I do not miss about my eight year duty assignment in Jacksonville FL.