New Orleans

Houmas Plantation

These pictures should be at the bottom as they are from day two of New Orleans

We left Monday morning, March 12th for Texas.  I convinced Mark to stop at New Orleans since it was not very far out of our way.  I had never been there and had hoped to experience the rhythm (couldn’t resist) of the city.  We found a Good Sam Campground 5 miles from the French Quarter. It was a little bit of a shock to go from waves to intense traffic noise but the price was right and it was close.  It did have a big security gate around it which helped us feel somewhat safe.  It was a long drive and we pulled in at around 8:00 p.m..  After a late supper, we hit the sack to get ready for our big day.

We didn’t plan any tours.  We just decided to meander and eat our way through the day which turned out to be a good choice.   The city bus picked us up across the street from the campsite and after a seemingly long, start and stop ride, we transferred to the canal street car.  We then walked to the French Quarter (Vieux Carre, old square).

The beignets and au lait at Café du Monde were amazing and lived up to their reputations. This business is a part of history as they have been serving beignets and coffee since 1862.  We enjoyed devouring these treats as we sat and watched the boats on the Mississippi River.  Learned that New Orleans is called the crescent city due to its position on the Mississippi River. We then were able to enjoy a street performance of some very muscular, acrobatic stunt men.  The final act featured the star performer jumping and flipping over many audience participants.  The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed strolling through the French Quarter, watching a movie on jazz funerals at the New Orleans Jazz Historical Park, listening to several street jazz peformers, shopping in the French Market, trying praline candy, eating Muffulettas from Central Grocers (very good but the olive spread was a little salty) and visiting the St. Louis Cathedral (beautiful).

We stopped at the Calbildo and spoke with a woman who answered some of our history questions.  We learned that the Creoles settled New Orleans.  Historians disagree if they were of pure Spanish, French descent or a mix with African and Indian Cultures.  At any rate, after the Louisiana Purchase, many Americans moved to NO but there was tension with the Creoles not wanting them there so the Americans built their homes in the garden district.   The Cajuns came from Canada and they were ousted by the British when they didn’t want to hail the King.  They settled in Maine and came down to Louisiana because of the French connection.  However, they seemed to settle more the outskirts of New Orleans.  Also, learned that the powers at be in DC didn’t think the Creoles were capable of self-governing.

Late afternoon, we walked down Royal street on the way to the St. Charles Streetcar.  We enjoyed stopping at several antique shops.  One in particular  had a beautiful piano, worth $225,000.  Janae and Stefan both played it, pretty cool, Billy Joel plays it when he visits the store. Stefan found a Roman coin from 300 B.C. and I enjoyed the antique chandelier store.  We enjoyed feeling the breeze as we rode the St. Charles street car to the end of the garden district.  Beautiful antebellum homes.  We took an ice tea break at a deli before riding back.  We stopped at the Audubon Park and enjoyed its beauty.  A good tubist was practicing under a big tree and we were serenaded by Bordogni.

We decided to see if we could get into

Preservation Hall for the evening concert and by accident ended up on Bourbon Street.  Oh my!  Kids look straight ahead.  Not a good experience at all.  Couldn’t believe that it was like this before dark.  At any rate, made it to Preservation Hall an hour before showtime and it was obvious that we wouldn’t get in so  headed for dinner. Ended our cuisine day with jambalaya, red beans and deep fried seafood.  Kids loved the jambalaya. I especially loved dining in the open air setting.  On the walk back to the streetcar, we were treated with an excellent, seasoned performance of some top jazz musicians of Stella by Starlight.  A nice treat after hearing some of the more raw, street performers today. 

Wednesday morning at we took a jaunt out to see the rebuilding process from Hurricane Katrina.  Lot’s of rebuilding.  Interesting new designs and colors.  Brad Pitt and Angelina have been behind this.  Still a lot of empty lots and homes needing repair.  Saw several groups helping clean up.  After all these  years, can’t believe what it would have looked like.  My one regret is I  wished we would have seen the Imax movie on the hurricane yesterday. It would  have had more of an impact on the kids.  Also stopped by a cemetary, very interesting to see the above ground burials and did a quick walk through of the Sculpture Garden near the Art Museum.

Stefan said, “The best thing about New Orleans is the food, jazz and shopping”.  I couldn’t agree more wholeheartedly.

On the way to Texas, we stopped at The Houmas House Plantation, once the largest sugarcane plantation in America and its

St. Joe's Pennisula Park

March 8-After driving 5 hours from Tony and Elaine's, this is what we saw.   Any need to go any place else?

WOW

I'm just a little happy

We just spent the weekend relaxing on the beach and enjoying that our campsight was so close.  Our first site was the best #102 but we moved the second night so we could extend our stay a few nights.  We ended up staying right by the beach, a sand dune seperating us.

This is the view from our camper, the beach is on other side of trees.

OUr first campsite, #102

Our second campsite, #52

Beach combing

This was the cutest thing.  Our neighbors live for one night had three young boys, live in Atlanta and are from Germany.  Stefan was so excited to meet them.  He went out and talked to them for over an hour. I eaves dropped in the camper and he was so animated talking about everything:  snakes, lizard, America's funniest home videos, and more.  I had to gentley remind him to toss the ball.  It was fun to see him so excited. 

Mark is happy

With Fabian and Felix

Eating fresh gulf steamed shrimp with our new German friends

Sharing a whiting dinner with our Canadian neighbors

Our last night was really special and I didn't have my camera.  We went as sun was setting to the pennisula and waded out in the shallow waters while Mark fished.  WE found hundred's of live conch, crabs and many sea creatures.  We found a green squishy rectangle creature that we had never seen.  Still don't know what it is.  It was so beautiful the way the light was hitting and experiencing this awesome eco-system.

Manatees and the Crystal River

Today, we got to do something that Elaine has talked about for years and it was one of the top activities I wanted to do on the trip.  We got to swim with the manatees.  They are truly gentle giants and got to see many today.  We rented wet suits and a  pontoon boat and  Elaine took us to the twin sisters spot. 

It was a beautiful day and the water was so crystal clear in the area where the manatees were.  Most of them were sleeping and so we didn't interact with them as much as I would have liked but it was incredible to be with them in their natural environment.  It's hard to believe that they can suspend their big bodies and move in this shallow water.  It was no more than three feet deep. 

I'm one happy lady

Stefan I think liked driving the boat the best

Every boat needs a fashion statement!

Janae and Stefan were a little overwhelmed by the amount of people crowding in on them and the number of manatee.  Janae said it was like a sea of manatees.  Right when we were in the thick of them, Janae and Stefan headed back to the boat.  I thought it was absolutely thrilling and couldn't understand their retreat.  It might have helped if we would have stayed right by their sides and Mark would have swam too.  He opted to focus on being the captain of the boat and keeping company with Tony.

I thought it was an absolute blast and one time a mother was nibbling on a boat rope.  I went to view them, and the baby nibbled on my toes and fins.  When I was swimming between the boats, they were swimming with me and I ended up on top of the mom.  The water got so shallow, I got trapped and had to gentley push her down so I wouldn't end up riding her.

Elaine and I swam up into the spring and it was so clear and pretty.  The water was not that cold with the wet suits on.  We did see a large tagged manatee that was resting.

We did anchor later out in the middle of the river, and some frisky manatee swam quickly by us.  I didn't see one coming and he swam right under me.  I was kind of sad, when we headed the boat back.  I didn't want it to end and wanted to keep going.

We did enjoy ice cream again afterwards before heading home. Tony took me to a wonderful fruit/vegetable stand.  Later in the evening, Tony and I played duets.  It was a lot of fun but Tony quickly pointed out my shortcomings and things I need to work on:  flexibility, quicker slide and better rhythm especially on dotted 8th,16th.  Good stuff and it was great to be reminded since I had slipped into some bad habits.

Our time flew and it was hard to say goodbye.  As we were driving away, Janae said, "Mom, I really like them, promise me it won't be 9 years until see them again."  When your children's hearts are touched, a mother is eternally grateful.  Thank you Tony and Elaine for opening your home and hearts to us! We love you guys.