Atchafalaya 'raceway' no longer fun

I know I reflect on my past experiences too frequently, but I guess that is what happens when one begins to get old. However, the fun is no longer there on the famed Louisiana speed trap known as the Atchafalaya Causeway on I-10 just west of Baton Rouge.

Here we go again with another "back in the day" example. The speed limit on the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, or whatever they call it, was once the same as the speed limit one had on the highway leading into the big bridge and as one would leave the same. Due to several miscues and accidents attributed to speeding, the legal limit of 18-wheelers was reduced to 55 mph, while other vehicles could only max out at 60.

The really great thing about the new law stated that 18-wheelers had to stay in the right lane only. I guess that was to tempt those drivers of 4-wheeled modes of transportation to speed on leading to a surprise visit by the man with the lights on his car going flickety-flickety.

It used to be fun staying in that inside lane and waiting for the bumper riders to get right up on my tail lights before I pulled over and let them speed by at up to 80-90 mph. I always knew that either a county mounty, or a full-grown bear was waiting for them just ahead with his ticket book.

But now, for some reason, when going across the same bridge (if I may use a quote from the great bluesman B.B. King), "the thrill is gone." No longer do the Louisiana State Troopers camp out waiting for the speeders, most of whom tote Texas license plates. For the last five years or so, the bright lights flickering behind the speeders on the once infamous Atchafalaya overpass are as rare as hens’ teeth.

Why today, on my return from Baton Rouge, only one parish deputy could be found on that long expanse of concrete over the waters from where most of the free world gets its crawfish.

I guess since the price of oil has begun to skyrocket, there is no need for the income the drivers from the state of Texas once donated to our coffers.

Driving to and from Baton Rouge just ain't as fun anymore.

(I know what you are thinking, and I betcha I am thinking the same thing. I wonder what will be written on this blog when the author gets stopped on that same bridge the next time his foot gets heavy.)