The Bayou, Lafayette to St Francisville

88 miles, flat, calm winds and 85 humid degrees.
  After yesterday's grueling ride, none of us were looking forward to today. We were all up at 5:00 am, however, and got ourselves ready, had the hotel breakfast and locked into our cleats. We didn't ride 50' when one of the funniest things happened on the entire trip. The first right was on a very busy road and we were waiting for a break in the traffic. When none developed, one of the group members suggested that the lead rider just use the sidewalk. We had only one block to go and that seemed to make good sense. Just as we were about to do so, a car slowed down in the right lane and the car behind him not paying any attention had to jump the curb onto the sidewalk to avoid a nasty fender bender. Well, the lead rider looked back at us with a look that said it all. These drivers in Lafayette are crazy aggressive and even the sidewalks aren't safe. We all had a good laugh all day long and the riding was quite safe after that initial incident.
  The ride was everything yesterday's wasn't. The wind was quiet, you could enjoy the wildlife especially the birds and we could talk and laugh all day long. We were well past the halfway point by 10:30 am and home by 1:30. The houses are all new construction after Hurricane Katrina and enjoyable to look out. The beautiful Cypress Trees in the swamp areas attract a lot of birds.
  We had to cross a 3 1/2 mile bridge called the spillway, which had no shoulder. Chef Linda and Carol had a plan, however, for keeping us safe. They escorted us all the way across. To add to the perfect crossing, a wide load overtook us and could not get past our rig, so we had not traffic passing us for almost the entire span.
  Four of us are staying at the St Francisville Inn. Beautifully restored Southern Plantation house with antiques, parlors and wifi. Woman Tours is spoiling us and that is OK with us. They even have a fine wine collection and my roommate and I are going over to the wine room and having  bottle of Ridge from California.
  Life is definitely looking up.