Our trip to the end of the world, part 1

Several weeks back, E and I decided to drive down to Venice, Louisiana. "Where is Venice, Louisiana?" you ask. Look at this map. Louisiana is shaped like a boot and if it were truly a boot, Venice is the tip of the toe. You can go no further south in this state.

Venice is quite industrial. It is a jumping off point for offshore oil crews heading to platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. It is also where river boat pilots catch boats to Pilot Town where they embark on the ships they will guide up the Mississippi River.

Venice was also hit very hard by hurricane Katrina. It has only been about two months that the road down to Venice has been open and the electricity back on.

There are places along the highway where the land is a mere half mile wide - the Gulf of Mexico on one side and the Mississippi River on the other.

This is some sort of industrial plant. Notice the missing pieces of roof which is Katrina damage.



The fire department



The Post Office



All still so heavily damaged nearly two years later.

One must pass through a huge industrial area first.





Finally one is rewarded with Louisiana beauty.








If you're as lucky as me, you might just have an Eastern brown pelican, state bird of Louisiana, pose for your camera.



And if you're truly as fortunate as me, you'll get to share it all with a very handsome man.