Camp Hope Riders

From New Orleans we headed north on the Causeway across Lake Pontchartrain—the longest bridge in the US at 24 miles.  This was our last stretch with AJ who’s heading straight up the Mississippi and back home to Wisconsin.

We had hoped to meet with another rider in San Antonio who was going to ride with us through New Orleans.  Unfortunately he had been unable to meet with us due to a situation outside of his control, but he’s been checking on us throughout the entire ride.  He had insisted on participating in some way, and when we got to New Orleans he had planned to buy us breakfast in the French Quarter at the famous Café du Monde.  As is the case with many establishments in New Orleans, “…sorry, cash only.”   And we’re glad that was the case, because we ate at the very nice “Country French Café” on the other side of the Causeway in Mandeville, Louisiana called La Madeleine.  Yes, you guessed, if you’re in area do yourself a favor and stop in.  Or perhaps you might want to check them out and order something online:  http://www.lamadeleine.com/

If you make it in to the Mandeville café, do us a favor and say hi to Zide… and don’t forget to mention Camp Hope.

After leaving La Madeleine, we said our goodbyes to AJ, and we started making our way to Ft. Rucker, Alabama.  During a fuel stop, outside of Andalusia, Alabama we met a gentleman and shared with him the story of Camp Hope and our ride.  He was so interested with our mission, he called a local newspaper, the Andalusia Star News, and escorted us over to their offices in order to have them take some photos and interview us for a story for the paper.

The word is getting out.

Enjoying breakfast at La Madeleine

With some of the La Madeleine staff.