Short Trip in The Van. First time out…

We are off to New Roads, Louisiana..just a little day trip. The van has a big appetite….we will be visiting multiple gas stations any time we take her out.

Fidel built a nice little shelf that fits over the cooler which fits perfectly between the front seats. Our cell phones and iPads ride comfortably there and won’t slide off because of the lip he built around it. 

Through fields of newly planted crops, huge farm equipment traveling slowly on the highway. We crossed the Mississippi River and the Morganza Spillway. The road now meanders beside coolies and cypress trees rising from them; cypress knees scattered among the water and livestock in the fields.

A beautiful day for a short trip.The van is humming along. The powerful engine beneath the hood does not strain when we have to pass other vehicles. A six cylinder might be more conservative on gas but this 5.7 liter engine will have no problems tackling the Rocky Mountains should we ever make that trip.

Grain silos now appear among the plowed fields. Maybe rice?   A water tower proclaiming Point Coupee and the requisite Church for this small village or maybe just a spot beside the road as there is no facilities such as a post office or stores and a mile or two and we are in Morganza . Old houses, neglected and in disrepair line the road; Population 465 people and a post office. The levee spans this town. From the movie “Easy Rider” this is where Peter Fonda’s character was killed.There is a plaque here mentioning the event. 

New Roads, a river town sits beside False River. Beautiful homes line the riverbank with their own boat docks. Quaint shops beckon the tourists and the traffic moves slowly through this village. 

A quick lunch and we were headed back to Lafayette. The van got 15mph..that’s combine town and highway. We saw signs for gas at 4.00 per gallon. I may be using the van for a lawn ornament. On another note, the oilfield maybe picking up once again. Fidel, though retired, may go back to work. In that case, he can drive the van to his jobs and I’ll ride along. I could get a rental when we get where he is going. That’s a slim possibility as he enjoys NOT working and I understand that.