Mile 156.0 - RBD - 152 LBD Belmont Crossing

156 RBD - 152 LBD Belmont Crossing

The Mississippi River makes a distinct 135-degree bend around College Point in Rich Bend in a typical blind corner. From space the shape seems to be a giant checkmark, maybe a metaphor for another checkmark in your epic adventure down the Mississippi! Monitor VHF 67 and be ready to jump quickly one way or the other in case of oncoming freighters or tugboats. Also, be aware: large south-bound tows typically flank College Point (instead of their usual wide crossing to the opposite shore).

Oak Alley Plantation

You could make landing and tour Oak Alley, an atmospheric place highlighted with rows of giant overhanging live oak trees. Personally I’d stay outside and walk the yards for these incredible trees, and skip the house tour. River pilots who could see only the double row of trees from the river gave the house its name. The 28 trees today are each from 15 to 30 feet in circumference, and their branches meet overhead, interlacing to form a shaded avenue about 300 yards long. At the end of the row of trees is the old plantation house, made of brick, covered with a soft, pink plaster. (Braggs) Note: Oak Alley Plantation is incorrectly labelled on the 2007 USACE Maps to be East Bank, when it is actually located on the West Bank. Oak Alley Plantation, 3645 LA-18, Vacherie, LA.