| La.418 follows Old River around to...... There are several rides where that is mentioned so I'll skip it. I would leave 418 at La.15 north, the ultimate levee ride that all can enjoy. The picture below was taken near the intersection of 15 and 418. The bridge which spans the canal, just viewed, is ahead. The locks are to the right of it and the Mississippi is to the right of that. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This is Voodoo Country. Man only thinks he rules here. A Stronger Force can, at Its pleasure, do more damage than any huricane or volcano. That entity only laughs at man's pompous ways. There's a free campground just beyond the locks. Stay there one night. So much haunts the river. |
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| The road, now on the shoulder of the levee, climbs. The Concordian Hills can be seen across the river. Yes, across the river. |
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| I took a shortcut and met a fellow traveler. I took a closer shot, but he asked me not to use it. I understood, closeups can be cruel |
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| Assembled on the field were giant scaling machines. Were they aligned for a move against Castle Simmesportia? Were the waves in the road, above pictured, real, or the sign of a transition in the Force. |
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| Wake up! I had reached the Auxiliary. The Flood of 1973 had scared Congress. A bunch of voters were soon to be bobbing around in a very big lake. It was built to help where we are going next. I know this is a re-do, but it is a landmark on the road. |
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| Things at the ORCS were very calm.The lack of turbulance is deceptive. This is the fact I wanted to tell you: In a non-flood situation, ONE THIRD of the Mississippi's flow is passing before your eyes to join the waters of the Red coming from the north. The Atchafalaya is a different river, definitely not the lazy Red. |
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| Notice, below right, the turbulance has boiled up and continues down the Old River channel. It turns west to join the Red and creates the Feared One. This is but one of the optional gates available to relieve the Mississippi. There is a "high sill" gate system, also. It is used when things really start rockin' and rolling. The Atchafalya Basin receives this water and it is disposible if need be. Saving New Orleans is priority. |
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| I crossed the control stucture and stopped when I saw what was about to happen out on the river. |
| Two lines of barges were passing each other. That's why they call me Quicksdraw. |