Jason  told me there was was stuff going on down on the Rigolets.
You know, the Rigolets on US 90 between New Orleans East and Slidel
   I had to go.
   Sure enough, there's a highrise being built to take the place of the beautiful piece of iron work which has served so long to cross the big lake's exit.
It is one of my "Old Ladies".
    The next Old Lady I'd come to check on is Fort Pike, early 1800's old. I'm not going into a bunch of history, that's what Google is for. It one of the places New Orleaneans came to get out of the house. In New Orleans, lots are very small, sometimes just big enough for the house. People get out and go to the parks and take mini-vacations to places like the Fort. We did.
    Pike is so big.You could walk everywhere in it. It is a Louisiana Commerative Area, not a part of the National Park System, which is not going to help its battered conditon.
Katrina put the hurt on it and its sisters Fort McComb and Jackson down the delta.
    I stolled around, just taking it all in. I hadn't been to New Orleans yet and the hurricane's attack on my youth was just starting to sink in.
     Such a historical place. Huey Long built the bridges or had them built here. There's a story about all that. A "true to Huey" story.
     It is still a beautiful place if you can put blinders on. The awesome strength of the oaks and fort to sustain so much does make you feel good.
Far off I saw something in a window. It was an old pot. Another survivor.
    She took a lickin' and will need help soon. The fort was under water and I'll bet that crack is the result of the water trying to exit.
I really like this one.
The other side.
Below is the brick work that modern man did around the fort. Not so good.
I walked out and looked at the bridge . The cranes reminded me of vultures hovering over it.
   Doesn't beauty get any points? Note that the turntable section is designed differently adding "beef" to the supports. If it is a goner, it will not make me happy. I didn't mind crossing it at 25mph, or having to fold my mirrors in.
    The third Old Lady is US Highway 11. It goes places and is very important still today. Ask anyone on the Northshore. Now this is my problem: Why do our great roads have such crappy beginnings? There should be a great arch across, this, the begining of a historically significant road. As it meets US 90, another set aside Old Lady, there is nothing more than a flashing caution light. I know I get troubled by things that can't be helped and I probably have "issues", but I'm not crazy. Where'd I hear that?
   This and the Fort McComb Page are parts of the upcoming Trip to NOLA ride report I'm working on. Check out Fort McComb. The Chef Bridge is being fooled with also.I just can't figure the reasoning. Isn't money needed elsewhere.? Bring those damn cranes over and fix my forts.
    PS: Check out what Fort Jackson looked like.
Boom
MORE LOUISIANA