What) Venice is an unincorporated community 130km south of New Orleans on the west bank of the Mississippi River.  It is the last community down the Mississippi accessible by automobile and is the southern terminus of the Great River Road. This has earned the town the nickname, "The end of the world."

    In 2001, the population of Venice was about 460 people. Venice was almost completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. Some rebuilding, reopening, and reoccupation has taken place since. The high bridge leading to Venice was not destroyed during the hurricane. (1)

    Why) Pam likes rivers so initially, I had the idea of following the Mississippi River from the start to the end.  Surprisingly, by the end of the journey I was more enthused about completing our Mississippi voyage than Pam was.  I wasn't that excited though because the morning we left New Orleans was quite foggy and I could have convinced Pam to spend a few hours driving to Venice and back but I decided not to.