 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Louisiana provides here a suspension test area. Washboard road has been carefully duplicated in the hopes of enrichening the local repair shops. |
| From here head back the way you came but stick with the levee. The road is good pavement. Continue north on La. 417. La.417 will meet La.419 and take you to where we left off last time, the corrner of La.419 and La.1. We'll be ready to cross the Morganza Spillway and check out Morganza. Wonder what those sissies that didn't come been doin? Wishing they were with us, I'll bet. |
 |
| .......you get here. |
| Louisiana Highway 10 has served the state since it began its route in Bogalusa far to the east. It has traveled up and down hill and dale, been forced to cross a ferry at St.Francisville and tag along with famous La. 1 for a while. Here she is being reduced to a gravel road which at times is submerged. (reason for the gravel?). Before she can reclaim her hard surface rating she must endure this 7 miles of bumpy dusty surface and cross a ferry limited to two tractors and a car and a motorcycle or 3 cars or one school bus and one car or a tractor and one school bus or. Transitions make Louisiana so interesting. So much for the "easy riding" lie. The bumpy part is short and the dusty part is only if you are behind anything, like your front wheel for instance. |
| Not just any old gravel raod, you're on La.10. That's a real soybean field to the left. |
| This is a side trip on this ride. The surface is easy riding with shallow gravel. The reward is worth the extra stress it might be to you. There is no traffic, so take your time and enjoy the scenery. If you keep straight because you have no adventurous spirit or just don't feel comfortable with the wife's fingernails into your spare tire, don't do it. Keep straight and we'll meet you in Morganza. You will of course have missed crossing the Spillway again. You know there are just so many opportunities out there. |
| This is a reassuring sign rewarding you for guessing right back there when you turned right. The "Toll" part is incorrect since the ferry is free coming from this direction. They figure since you wrecked your shocks they would eat the dollar. But, if you're nuts enough to come to this side of the river on the ferry, you pay. |
| When you get to the levee, the excitement will be overwhelming. Notice the next train bridge is showing just a little girder to stir you up. Turn left.(south) and go under the... |
| ....the Overpass. |
| Reward Number One, you are over there on that beautiful slope. The world famous Melville Ferry which is not running is over here on the civilization side of the river. It doesn't go where you are unless it is before 9am or after 4pm on weekdays, only. But very picturesque. |
| There's even a beach. Don't, the undertow will kill you. |
| Here's the Real Prize, The Melville Train Bridge. I have a picture with a train on it. Want to see? |
 |
| Was I ever in luck. I "ran" across the landing to get the perfect shot.The locals just gauked. I still had my Star Wars white off road helment on and I guess it was amusing, but, they get to see the train everyday. I guess for them it's lost its edge. |
| Pictures cannot duplicate this place or its special attractions. I keep ending up here. So does Ray. He's got an excuse, he use to live here and knows about the surprises. I guess I like the free ride across the river and the contrast in power which that journey exhibits. The ferry ride article can be accessed HERE. It "gets down" with the nuts and bolts of the ride, thoroughly. There are some more links there, also. |
| Back to the Table of Contents |
| My recent interest in Civil War History was peaked once again as what had to have been a vessel of the CSA Navy roared by. They were headed South. Were they in retreat? |
|
|
