Along the River in New Orleans

December 26-29, 2016
New Orleans, Louisiana


I've been struggling keeping current on the blog since my California trip, and can't believe I failed to post about a wonderful event.

On Thanksgiving, Bill's son Travis and his delightful girlfriend became engaged! He planned the perfect "ask" at her home with both their families there "for pie". We love Emily and are excited to add this very special daughter to the family.

Back in New Orleans.....

We need a few things for the motorhome and there's a Camping World about an hour to the north in Hammond. Rain is expected off and on all day so we figure we'll make the drive and see more of the state.

Long sections of I-10 and I-55 are over the swamp. We love it! Tall Bald Cypress with Spanish Moss and other swampy trees and bushes live in the brackish water. We see almost no birds, just a few Blue Heron and Egret.

There's no place to stop for photos. Getting off the interstate takes you down to "water level" where you lose the view of the swamp. Speaking of levels, we've been between .5 foot and 35 feet below sea level since getting to the gulf coast. Thus the swamps, levees and cement dams. It is like nowhere else.

It's a good thing we enjoy the drive. When we arrive the store is closed. Because Monday is a holiday since Sunday was Christmas. Oops.

The sun is low in the sky on the return trip and the swamp is even more beautiful with the moss glowing in the gold light. Lake Pontchatrain sparkles. Life is good.

Tuesday the weather is awful. 80 degrees and 98% humidity. Tessa gets groomed, groceries are bought, and we hide out in the air conditioning.

We get a call to join the gang for dinner in Raceland, and off we go. More lively conversation, lots of laughter, just fun to get together with their families. Fog rolls in on our way home and we feel our way back to our space in the campground.

There is an elevated walkway past the new cabins at the park, with really great views of the bayou. I take a short walk Wednesday morning.

Around noon Lois and Bob and his wife Cookie come to see our house before we all head to the River Walk in New Orleans.

As locals they prefer the Walk over the Quarter, and with the cooler temps and scattered showers it is nice to be outside.

Too much mall for us, but we have to walk through the outlets to get to the outdoor space. With the holiday break, it is surprisingly busy for a week day. Still, it's fun to watch the big ships and paddle boats on the river, enjoy the art, play music on the bells, eat some gumbo and boudin balls, and spend more time with old friends. 

The Holocaust Memorial is "an artistic visual prayer" with nine panels that make different pieces visible from points on the plaza.

I thought there would be Beignets on every corner, but we haven't even seen them anywhere. Bob leads us down Decataur Street for the original Cafe de Monde, but when we get there the line is huge :-(( So we head back to the mall where there is another, smaller one, where we wait in a shorter line. And finally we have our Beignets!

Jackson Square at Decataur Street

More colorful vintage ladies.

Hot, fresh and yum!

We return home and visit some more before saying our goodbyes for now.

Thursday morning we take our time getting ready and pull out around 11:00. When Bill opens the door to get back in at the dump station the stairs don't come out. Hmmmmm. Something to deal with at our next stop in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.