2/1/2013

     Woke up in the parking lot just east of Houston and hopped in the car and took off east on highway 10.  Ate our breakfast along side the road and traveled on.  We were in a big hurry to get to the "big easy!"  As we crossed the Sabine River into Louisiana we were struck by the change in scenery! From flat scrub brush to tall trees with Spanish moss hanging.  We stopped at a gorgeous  visitor center and walked down to the water and saw two signs...watch for alligators and watch for snakes!  We took a walk through the trees on a raised walkway and saw a squirrel and an egret.  No snakes or alligators :(  There were many picnic tables under roofs held up by white columns  (Sue help me, is that how you spell it?) (that's what I want!).

      We traveled on on 10 and went through Lake Charles and had our lunch at Rayne, the Frog Capital of the World.  You know what they do with the frogs!
     The countryside had lots of agriculture, sugarcane and rice (wet crops).  I had been communicating with "Curtis" at the Parc D'Orleans since yesterday making sure we had a place to stay in New Orleans during Mardi Gras and the Superbowl (really, Jerry?).  He kept reassuring me that we could just "come on down and it'll be fine".  We started questioning our choice but during Mardi Gras no discounts apply and all prices double....
   We crossed the Mississippi (the jump rope ditty sure helps) at Baton Rouge and headed south still on the 10.  Water, water everywhere.  Miles and miles of the same big trees (I believe they are red oak and have the knobs coming up out of the water.

 Miles and miles of raised highway going over the swamp.  Pretty cool. Saw Lake Pontchartrain and turned on Maggie to guide us in!
    And here we are......Right next to a train yard on the "other side of the tracks"!  If you are really keeping track, we are on Chef Meunter Highway just after the 610 meets up with the 10 just north east of the city.  Curtis came out and chatted awhile telling us there really is no office since Katrina,  The walls got all bad and after they replaced the sheet rock they had a termite problem so it's just kinda used for storage.  He just walks around and talks to folks.  Takes only cash, no checks or credit cards...The grounds have grass and cement pads and all the hookups except cable.  The showers leave a bit to be desired but there is hot water so it's all good.  $54/night but he might give us a deal.  We are having Nancy at the post office in Salyer send our mail here, so plan to be here until Tuesday!
   We unhooked the car and headed to the city, Me driving due to the fact Jerry doesn't do well in the dark and it was easy as pie and the city in the dark was beautiful.  Took the exit Curtis suggested Elysian Fields and found a parking space like it was meant for us!  We had our map and walked toward the French Quarter.  People everywhere.  Found "The Praline Connection" restaurant split a fish and oyster and shrimp plate. Delicious!
   We then found Bourbon Street and it is everything they say on Mardi Gras only it is Superbowl weekend!! Music, people, drinking, decorations, beads, and the reason for bead throwing and more people!.  Interesting characters, even got to speak to the guy who wears the cape and plays a banjo at the 49er games!  He was asking for donations and someone was trying to get him a ticket to the game.  We listened to and rocked out to some great rock bands and danced along to Jazz and brass bands on the street.  Saw the CBS Krewe dancing and playing in an intersection.  Jerry walked the streets carrying his beer and was in seventh heaven.  Even I had a great time.
   Made it back to the Parc, put in ear plugs and heard one last bang as two train cars mashed together and drifted off.

2/2/2013
   Awoke to a bright sunny day here at the Parc (supposed to get to 70 today), the birds are singing, the trains are quiet (or am I already used to them)?.  We have showered and I am happy with my blog so we are hitting the town again,  This time in the daylight.  Beignets here we come (small square donuts with lots of powdered sugar on top, a must do in New Orleans!)
    As I hope you realize, I have been going back and editing my previous blogs with pictures and spelling fixes so check back to see the new pix!  Not even home sick yet, I think blogging e-mail and Facebook helps...I sure miss Forrest, though...