After a later departure from Boutte, and walking across the tall, pedestrian unfriendly 310 bridge to the east side of the Mississippi (HUGE milestone), I continued through the dark for miles atop the east bank levee, to St. Rose, where I found a midnight-friendly spot to rest for the night. Here’s the midnight Facebook post I wrote upon arriving last night:
I decided to sneak my way up to the covered, upstairs outdoor entrance platform of the second-floor door of Bread-Life Church, in St. Rose (I think). I believe I’m about 3 miles shy of South Kenner, which I wanted to reach, but I’m unsure if any discreet camping opportunities there will be as good as here. The surrounding, working-class neighborhood feels safe; no dogs are barking at me and calling attention to my presence; I’m next to a main road, yet mostly out of view; I have the height advantage over any animals or people from up here; and if seen, the worst to happen would likely just be that I’d be told to move. I’ll reach NOLA on foot tomorrow, where friendly locals have invited me in for the next week. First night outdoors in Louisiana and lovin’ it
MORNING UPDATE:
I awoke this morning to a bright blur of foggy sunshine. Of course, given the circumstances, I don’t get any “deep sleep” in these scenarios, for my mind always sleeps with one eye open– I hear all surrounding noises, I hear any cars turning and coming my way (which fortunately weren’t many). Funny, given my potential to be very visible on the 14-foot-tall perch of the tiny upstairs door platform, I figured most drivers would simply pass without noticing anything. However, in an otherwise still surroundings, movement ALWAYS attracts the eye–so even though my instincts told me to shift around and look every time a car turned my way, I had to overrule my instincts and stay still– only looking a few seconds after hearing the vehicles. I know that at least one cat spotted me, but unlike barking dogs, kitties aren’t effective at alerting the surrounding world to the presence of a stranger. Though I probably could have slept an extra hour or so, not long after dawn, I arose, packed up, carefully stepped my heavy cart load down the stiff staircase, and walked to the paved path atop the levee, and continued on my way to Nola. I write now from Metarie, halfway into the day’s walk. Nine miles to go to reach tonight’s hosts, friends of Andrew Forsthoefel, the other transcontinental trekker (since meeting, we’ve been sharing some hosts in our opposing directions). Andrew’s friends live in New Orleans’ Uptown/Touro area, and have invited me to many St. Patrick’s Day festivities and fun. If I arrive in time, I’ll get to join them for a parade.
The following pics are of my carefully chosen sleeping spot, as I arose early to finish my haul into NOLA:
