Day 73: 11/19/06
A beignet breakfast on Bourbon. Beignets are a fried French pastry that are usually covered in sugar. What's not to like?
There were all sorts of Katrina-referencing T-shirts available. This is one of the nicer ones. 
The second half of the day we spent driving out to Venice, LA which is at the end of the road on the Mississippi's delta. It was already apparent that this section of the river is the most industrial one. Oil refineries and storage facilities were a prominent feature throughout the drive.
Ocean liners frequent the river between Baton Rouge and the mouth. This loaded up vessel has about half of its height below the water's surface. Not only are they humongous, they are quiet and fast. Sounds dangerous.
In the last light of the day, Ben and hop out of the van for a quick pick on the edge of the delta. Funny to think our trip has come down to a roadtrip to the end of the continent, but we're happy with the adventure.
Continuing on in darkness, we reach Venice, LA. The road comes to a T. To the right of the T runs Halliburton Road (no, we're not kidding), where many oil companies have set up shop. To the left of the T is a small settlement where all of the oil company employees live. Somewhere in between, are the helipads that choppers use to go to and from off-shore oil rigs. Wow. What have we done to the river that Native Americans call "The Father of All Waters"? We knew what waited for us at the end of this great river, but it was anti-climactic nonetheless.
posted by Joe & Ben Palmquist @ 11:36 AM
9 comments
9 Comments:
Your blog has been wonderful to follow. Thanks for all the great connections to sites of interest. All the best to the brothers!
I think it is great that you guys are doing something positive to raise awarenees of some of evnironmental problems facing the river today. It is so easy for some of us to take the river for granted. Even living near it my whole life it is easy to forget all the uses of the river and how important it is to people, plants, and animals of this country.
Courageous, strong, steadfast, giving, spiritual,eternal...
the river and the brothersfortheriver will live on and on....
Its really awsome that you guys were able to do this and be able to share it with everyone. It is nice that you were able to turn this adventure into a true helping cause that benefits everyone.
I am currently a student at UWL and currently in one of my class we discussed what you two did and why you were doing it. I just want to say that it is really a great thing that you guys did. Now after checking your site out I have become more aware of what really goes on, on the river and what needs to be done to it to keep it as strong as it has been. I didn’t realize the true extent of the river until reading your site. Sometimes I forget that the river doesn’t just exist in just my state, but extends through many states and effects them all equally
What an amazing trip!! I grew up living on Lake Superior, and I now live in La Crosse, WI. I have decided that wherever I end up moving for good, I need to be near some sort of body of water. Living near the big lake and the big river have been priceless! I think it is so cool that you guys took the initiative to do what you have done. I think everyone should be aware of how precious things like the Mississippi really are.
It is also very neat to read about your help with Katrina efforts - I have friends who went to help last spring - interesting to compare stories!
it is awesome to read your day-to-day stories because each one seems different from the previous. it must've pained you guys to see all of the debris/pollution (specifically the man-made) as that is a common sight along the great miss. i'm glad to see that you guys continued on to help out with the katrina-relief effort even after the long adventure you made. so what's next for the "brothers for the river?" a river abroad?
p.s. that solar-panel is phenomenal!!!
It was really great to look through your blog and see your incredible journey. I liked that you guys didnt let the setbacks get in the way of accomplishing your goal? I have never been down the river past Iowa so I dont see very much traffic on the river, but I was wondering, the river is such a vital source for the Midwest and it seems difficult to stop the industrial and manufacturing use of the River. But at the same time I see the importance trying to keep the river as natural as possible. What do you guys think?
Oh my gosh it's Kevin M!!! What is he up to these days? I had such a crush on Kevin back in high school (Cotter!).
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