Day 19 - WE MADE IT!!!

We left the motel in Columbia, Mississippi at 6:20 am in foggy, 74 degree weather.  Russ started pedaling at 6:35, picking up where we left off yesterday.  The fog worried me a bit, visibility was a concern.  Shortly after we prayed and began for the day, we turned south on highway 35 and the fog lifted to the tree tops and by 7 am the sun was peeking through the clouds. God answered that prayer FAST!!!

We reached the Mississippi/Louisiana state line at 7:40.  We took a picture with the Louisiana sign, then I turned around and snapped the MS sign since there wasn't one when we entered the state from Memphis.

The roads were mostly good, traffic light, cool temperatures and no wind or sometimes a tail wind so it was a great biking day.  We reached Bogalusa, Louisiana at 8:45 and the skies were mostly sunny with high clouds and 80 degrees. 

 We found a Dr. Seuss character on the side of the road, so we thought it might be a great friend for Flat Stanley!

We reached Slidell, Louisiana where we intended to stop for lunch, but it was so nice, Russ just kept going!

He rode and rode until we ran out of road and came to the water!  YEAH!  We made it! At 12:15 pm, after 82 miles today and a total of 1750 miles since our start at International Falls, Minnesota; we stopped to celebrate! He dipped his tire into the water to signify the end of the trip.

 Even Flat Stanley got his picture by the water and by his new friend.

We packed up the bike and went to have lunch.  As we drove away, it began to sprinkle and before 30 minutes had gone by, it was pouring rain!  God's perfect timing!  We drove off and checked into our motel in New Orleans.  We rode the trolley to the French Quarter (more rain on the way) and enjoyed looking around the Riverwalk and area by the river.  There was a map of the US showing the Mississippi River and since Russ had biked some of the MRT, (Mississippi River Trail) I thought it was appropriate to take his picture beside the map.  However, he has a strange look on his face...maybe it's from all that biking or disbelief that he went all that way!

 Another photo op in the Riverwalk shopping area!

 We had reservations for a dinner cruise on the Natchez river boat, which we thoroughly enjoyed.  It was a relaxing way to spend the evening.

God blessed us with one of the most spectacular sunsets I've ever seen.  Notice the cross made by the sun and it's rays on the first picture...isn't God creative!  It brought special meaning to the close of our trip.

The colors were amazing and beautiful.

We got back to our hotel after 10 pm and I am glad to say that tomorrow we can actually sleep in!! Since we made it to the end of our trip with days to spare, we are going to spend the next couple of days sight-seeing, relaxing and making our way back home.  Yes, we will be DRIVING back, not biking!
We end the day feeling so blessed, amazed at the accomplishment, but smiling at the fact that God is good and He told us: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"  Amen to that!
Thanks again for your prayers, encouragement and kind words!
Blessings and love to you!
Russ & Carol