Don't know why my photos keep disappearing from this "business" but this is the twin span bridge…read moreover Lake Pontchartrain. Photos taken at high speed. BOOM chakalaka! The entryway to NOLA. Yay! :)) Laissez les bons temps rouler! OuiOui. Drive safely y'all!

I like bridges and this one is no exception. I am a fan of getting from place to place swiftly and…read moredefinitely not driving around the long way. Bridges make that happen! The I-10 Twin Span Bridge is two three-lane bridges that carry Interstate 10 across Lake Pontchartrain between New Orleans and Slidell. 5.4 miles long and 60 feet wide with 30 foot clearance across most of the bridge and 80 foot clearance at the bascule section. The bridge was opened in 2009 with one of the bridges and then the other in 2010 with the completion of all work done in 2011. I crossed this bridge three times - once each coming and going and then the third time was just going. I took US 90 the other time and that review is coming soon. It is smooth and easy and very, very straight. As such, the speed can be a little intense. New Orleans is a big city and they not only drive fast here, they lane jockey. Crazy! [Review 14136 overall, 1458 of 2020, number 8 in Louisiana.]

What a beautiful day…read more - worship at Mary, Queen of Peace: check - coffee from the wonderful people at PJ's: check - walking on the lakefront with my little buddy: check - crazy, cool tree covered in icicles melting and cracking: check Today was one of those amazingly cool and dry days we get as a real gift from the Father about 4 or 6 times a year. Probably more, but work is work, yeah? Still, it was so cold and crisp, and the sun was so beautiful and bright, that we parked up the street on Girod just to walk past the shops on our way to the lake. Ok, we also parked there to get a pic that super cool tree and the sun shining through the icicles. The lakefront is a gorgeous walk along the seawall - sun glinting off the calm waves, other walkers/runners/cyclists (not too many today!) enjoying the gift of the day the Lord has made. Freki and I were definitely rejoicing in it! We did get some water at The Barley Oak - always dog-friendly, or maybe dog-encouraging. It's one of our favorite places to stop and meet new people to pet. If you see Freki, say hi, he wants to pet you, I promise! 2 thumbs and a couple dewclaws up for this one!

Great spot to walk, run or other exercise. Or just to sit, look at the lake and think about life…read more Or people watch. Just relax. Whatever. Bring a friend or two. Bring a meal and eat outside. Huge homes and businesses line the street facing the lake that will transport you back in time.

I came for a get together with a group I am marching in Mardi Gras parades in to practice, so of…read morecourse it is January when we are practicing. There were not too many people here the day we came. Wide open spaces, a couple of places to eat nearby. I would like to come back if there are events in the future as it seems like a lot of things to do here. A community market, holiday events and events with the LPO. The bike trail leads from one end of St Tammany Parish to the other end in an east to west fashion. I am looking forward to coming and enjoying all that this area has to offer. I have no spawn of my own, but there is plenty of room for play time. Evidently the area is closed up at night, which is comforting.

The Mandeville Trailhead is a great little place in downtown old Mandeville…read more The trailhead has an amphitheater for performance, a splash area for kids and hosts numerous events. The splash area is a must attend during the hot summer months. There is a large fountain shooting water out of numerous holes in the ground where kids can splash and rollick in the cool water. Parents can bring a chair and sit back and relax while their kids expend all of their energy. There is also a trailhead museum which is pretty neat. The museum is kept quite cool so it is a nice break from the hot sun as well. Inside there is a model of the old Mandeville Lakefront wooden slide and beach area. The museum focuses on old Mandeville history ad I was able to learn many things about this area that I had not previously known. If you're in the area, this trailhead should definitely be on your list of places to see.

Living on the Northshore has it's pros and cons. One definite pro is all of the waterfront areas we…read morehave available to us. Sunset Point is one such place. Sunset Point is located next to the Causeway Bridge and the old concrete plant where they built the sections of roadway that became the bridge. That area is now being cleaned up, but you can still see giant concrete piers and pilings all made on site during construction of the bridge. Sunset Point is run by the city of Mandeville and is a great place to come for fishing or relaxing. There are several gazebo areas where you can just sit and watch the lake, but the main draw is the pier. The pier stretches out into Lake Pontchartrain and is a perfect spot for fishing. It's also a perfect spot to photograph the Causeway if you're into that sort of thing. If you're in the Mandeville area and want a cool view, come check out Sunset Point

Great place to fish at night. There are faucets benches, a huge pier, and even sinks to clean the…read morefish you catch.

So I won't profess to be a historian and give deets on the bridge or its namesake; but what I will…read moredo is speak on is loving bridges and my experience on this bridge. Currently undergoing a facelift, the Huey P, as it's affectionately called, is a major thoroughfare to connect the WESTBANK to ELMWOOD; WEST to EAST!!! The bridge is appx 153 feet in height; it has commuter lanes and active train rails as well. The sight of the bridge can be daunting and a bit intimidating but it's quick for commuting and moving around. With the new renovation, it's shaping up to be more welcoming and less intimidating. This is great, I personally know a few folks who REFUSED to cross this bridge in the past because of its appearance. I've been told at some point as the trains cross the rails, they're expected/required to turn off their engines and just coast across. Something about safety, ehhhhhhh idk. I love bridges and this one gets some of my loving too.

I'm probably one of the few who miss the original bridge this may be due to the fact that I never…read morehad to cross this bridge out of necessity, it was always a option I chose freely. The new modern renovations has completely removed the fear factor for many, it also removed the thrill for those of us who were hopeful that our approach to this bridge was in sync with a freight train loaded with thousands of ton of cargo slowly inching its way across this high-rise trestle bridge shaking and flexing the structure as well as our inner fears, the murky waters flowing far below this bridge further enhanced this nightmarish but exhilarating experience. This bridge is unique in a number of of ways, the spans carrying vehicular traffic is a little over 1.52 miles long but the gradually sloping train trestle extends more than 4.35 miles. I'm sure this bridge had the engineers scratching their heads back in 1935 while only using slide rulers and number two pencils to calculate the load ratings especially for the longest span at nearly 800 feet not to mention the fearless engineer who maneuvered the first freight train across this iconic structure. In 2006, shortly after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast, the State of Louisiana embarked on an unprecedented project to widen this 75-year-old civil engineering marvel. The $1.2 billion project celebrated its grand opening in June 2013 with new lanes in each direction and major railroad modifications. The project was a symbol of resilience of this great state's people. It's not the same and that's somewhat saddens me but the refurbishment and upgrades will ensure this engineering landmark will remain for many more generations to come, but they'll never experience this bridge as some of us have...

The Harvey Tunnel allows drivers the unique experience of driving under the Harvey Canal…read more Why is it interesting? Well, It leaks. Maybe it doesn't really leak, but it sure seems like it does since the interior is always wet. It is a little concerning to drive through a leaky tunnel, but the Harvey Tunnel is a local landmark. This tunnel was around long before the WB Expressway and connects Harvey and Marrero. If you happen to be on a Westbank field trip searching for unicorns, rainbows and castles made of Play-Doh, the Harvey Tunnel is the best way to get the full Wank experience.

Clean, well lit, not dripping water (like the other local tunnel) and surprisingly fast to get…read morethrough. I wasn't even aware this was here until I happened to be driving through it one evening. For some reason, I prefer a tunnel over a bridge, though I can't really give a good reason for that. A funny article was written about the repairs on this tunnel that can be found here. http://www.nola.com/traffic/index.ssf/2015/03/harvey_tunnel_repairs.html The technical specifications are laid out here. http://bridgehunter.com/la/jefferson/22602830903421/ There isn't really much else to say about this tunnel. As mentioned in other reviews, you can walk through the tunnel, though that would make me too nervous. The new YELP question about restrooms doesn't really apply here, though, I am sure if you are into that sort of thing, bring your own hygiene items.

Love Love Love the Law Library here…read more It's a very beautiful building, it's always been one of my favorites in the FQ since I was a wee little lad. Will Return.

In the middle of debauchery and mayhem, the grandest court stands in its esteemed state of…read moreperfection. The Supreme Court of Louisiana is both gorgeous outside, as well as, inside. Nestled literally in the middle of The French Quarter. It's an odd place to be, but given the fact that this is kind of the oldest places in the United States, (300 years old) it makes sense that debauchery and law would reside next to one another. Tours are given often, but tourists are allowed to walk some of the halls, and view numerous rooms. You'll be greeted by gentlemen with badges who mean business. Bring your ID, or you won't be allowed psst the front door. They'll literally " run" your ID, snap your picture, and give you a paper name tag to wear while in the building. The name tag is cool, since they put your picture on it. Cell phones are not permitted in the building. When court is in full session, visitors aren't permitted to tour through the building, and it's heavily discouraged for them to enter the building. If you do, you'll hear someone utter here comes the judge ... If you're looking for something educational, history filled, interesting, and not included in the tour packages of cemetery places, make a point of stopping in.

Before the Civil War, New Orleans Was the Center of the U.S. Slave Trade The city of New Orleans…read morewas the largest slave market in the United States, ultimately serving as the site for the purchase and sale of more than 135,000 people. In an effort to prevent smuggling, the 1808 federal law banning slave imports from overseas mandated that captains of domestic coastal slavers create a manifest listing the name, sex, age, height, and skin color of every enslaved person they carried, along with the shippers' names and places of residence. One copy of the manifest had to be deposited with the collector of the port of departure, who checked it for accuracy and certified that the captain and the shippers swore that every person listed was legally enslaved and had not come into the country after January 1, 1808. A second copy got delivered to the customs official at the port of arrival, who checked it again before permitting the enslaved to be unloaded. At the Customs House in Alexandria, deputy collector C. T. Chapman had signed off on the manifest of the United States. In New Orleans, customs inspector L. B. Willis climbed on board and performed yet another inspection of the enslaved, the third they had endured in as many weeks. Scrutinizing them closely, he proved more exacting than his Balize colleague. Willis cared about the details. After placing a small check mark by the name of every person to be sure he had seen them all, he declared the manifest "all correct or agreeing.

The United States Customs house was formerly known as the Old Post Office and Customs House and…read morebecame a National Historic Landmark in 1974. Construction began in 1848 and it wasn't completed until 1881 due to multiple redesigns and more importantly the outbreak of the American Civil War. It is one of the oldest federal buildings in the Southern United States. The building sits on an entire city block, bounded by Canal, North Peters, Iberville and Decatur. The builing is actually constructed of brick that is sheathed in granite. The floor plan of the Customs House is arranged around a Greek Revival room known as Marble Hall. This room features Corinthian colums that are adorned with the heads of gods and goddesses. It is simply a marvel to see, and if you're lucky enough to get a tour of the inside, you'll see one of the finest architectural treasures the City of New Orleans has to offer. Some of the ceilings here have to be at least 20-25 feet high.