Following the coast

Louisiana swamps

At 8 a.m. after a night in the luxury of the Super 8, we were back on the road again, continuing an expedition that should really be called a race. I can’t wait to pass the border, to be able to relax a little bit more. Eventually, I hope to drive only 3 or 4 hours a day, and spend the rest of the time exploring the surrounding, meet people, read and take time to live.

Shortly after noon, we arrived at the West Brook High School, in Beaumont, Texas. We were here to meet with students who chose to learn French. The High school is the largest of Beaumont, a city of 100,000. We arrived just in time for lunch, and shared a spicy (not so spicy according to our hosts) gumbo, along with students and teachers of the school. After that, I met with two large groups of students, and answered some questions about the expedition.

Answering high school students questions

What I really like is to insist on the fact that anyone can do what I chose to do. This is one of the goals of the trip, to show that you can save up some money, and go in an amazing adventure.

Kimberly, Mitchell, Andre, Adrienne and Miss Bedford

It doesn’t need to be all round the world, but even 6 months around Mexico can be incredible by itself.

After a couple of hours, we were back behind the wheel, and set cap on Houston, where Gwenaelle – an old friend from France – and Max, her fiancé, were waiting for us. We decided to stay there few days, since we had to work on the vehicle, and reorganize the load in the back.

In the morning, from the hotel, I posted a message asking for mechanical assistance in the Houston area on the IH8MUD forum. When I checked the answers in the evening, I saw that few people volunteered for help, and after a phone call, we planned to meet up with local Land Cruiser experts on Saturday.

At Blanco's, checking out Texas music

We went for a Thai diner with our friends, and for drinks in Blancos, to hear some Texas country music, and watch local dancers. That was great, and I recommend the place to anyone passing by the city.

Exhausted, we enjoyed a night in a real bed, again. In the next few days, we plan on visiting San Antonio, and then go south and cross the Mexican border for more adventures.

Welcome signs at the school

France should never have sold Louisiana

Checking out the rear break pads

After Matt treated us for diner in a Biloxi casino, we slept in the tent in front of his house. The night was cold again, and Nadia now has a cold. We woke up around 6 a.m., and I went with our host to a part store to get brake pads. I forgot to mention earlier that in addition to our brake needs, the engine light came up as well, as we were driving through Alabama. I had a local mechanic plug his computer in the truck, and it turned out to be a problem with the EGR valve. Annoying, but not a big deal. That means that the gasoline that doesn’t burn in the engine end up in the exhaust pipe instead of being recycled, possibly resulting in a slightly higher gas consumption. I plan of taking care of this problem in Houston.

Back to our brakes. After taking the old pads out, I figured those were still good, and don’t need replacement yet. The noise I hear coming from the back is probably resulting from the parking brakes dragging a bit at slow speed. I guess one more thing to do in Houston. But i felt better about having no major problems.

After saying good-bye to Matt and his mom, we were back on the road, in direction of New Orleans. Two hours later, we were there, and abandoned the car, my new house, in a public parking.

The French Quarter

We went through the French Quarter and walked the waterfront. Back in the French Quarter, we had a late lunch of meat pies and shrimps. After that, we went for beers and live music, just so we could claim we took advantage of the city.

The city was of course very nice, and people are really laid back compared to the America I know, in New York.At sunset, we were back on the road, as we decided to try to sleep in Baton Rouge, due to our tight schedule. The day after, at noon, we are due to a Beaumont in Texas, to meet some high school students following the journey.

A night in the city, I’m sure, would have been memorable. But I also have to think about money, and can’t spend so much money so early in the trip.

New Orleans street car

Between the two cities, in the middle of the Cajun countryside, we went out of the highway and were attracted by a small dive bar at a gas station. There, we met Jeremy, a nice guy who invited us to stay at his house, thinking his wife would be excited to see us. Apparently, the alcohol consumption distorted his judgment, as it turned out she was not thrilled  by the two bums leaving in their car her husband met in a bar.

So back on the road again.

In Baton Rouge, exhausted, we decided to spend the night in a Motel 6, since I had enough points on a reward card I have to redeem a free stay. In the room, we warmed up some soup and I had one of the can I packed the car with before the departure.

All Amzie, a famous New Orleans painter