We left Alabama on Monday afternoon, the 15th of July and finally headed to New Orleans! Driving through Mississippi was a blur. Only a brief hour and a half across to get into Louisiana, stopping at the Welcome Center to gather more papers to put in that binder that I still need to buy. We decided for our photo album of our trip to do what most people do and take a picture of the state sign as we cross into the next state. We also decided to pick up a map of the state at each Visitor Center, along with any pamphlets of places and things we will want to do in that state. Gabe being the pack rat that he is decides to grab a whole bunch of various brochures of things to do in Mississippi, for the next trip of course, seeing as how we were only passing through the state on this trip. Along the way I will have to give away some of those brochures, not a lot of space and we have only just begun our trip!
First impression was good. Very wooded and not to crowded where our site was. Large pull in spot so we didn’t have to worry about backing out. When you have a 39’ camper pulling a tow dolly with a car on top of it, we run about 50’ long. Backing up is not recommended. It was a slight walk over to where the Bath House was located. Good thing because it can be a very busy place and you don’t want that out your front door. Tina and I decided to go and check it out while Joe set up our water and electric, leaving Gabe behind to help out. Our weather was oppressive to say the least, just the short walk we took had our shirts clinging to us. We were happy to see a Laundry in the same building as the bath house. With 4 of us changing each day plus our shower towels, the laundry is already starting to pile up. We do have a very very very very small washer/dryer in the camper. It is currently holding our 4 beach towels.
Upon entering the bathrooms, we surprised a very large naked lady who was just exiting the lavatory and headed to the back of the bath house, where we were assuming were the showers. It was a shocking moment for all 3 of us. One that still stays with me as I type this. Tina and I made quick work of our stay and left. We would have to go back another time to check out the shower stations. The bathrooms were clean so that was a good sign. The camp sites surrounding the bath house, were many campers that look to have planted their roots there. They had chairs set up around their camp tables, bbq grills, bicycles and most of them had clothes lines filled with their latest laundry tied from a tree to the corner of their pull along camper. The night ended up clearing and we were able to take a bike ride to see Lake Pontchatrain up close at sunset.
Tuesday after lunch we unhooked the car from the tow dolly and headed into New Orleans. It was approximately 35 miles from where we were staying. I had found a few campgrounds inside New Orleans city limits, but they were almost twice the cost and each of the reviews stated that they were located in bad areas, surrounded by high gates and that the noise was just tolerable from the surrounding traffic. So far our quiet little wooded oasis was working out well for us, so we made a good decision on staying just on the north side of Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville. Except for the whole nudity incident, all was good. To get to New Orleans you had to cross Lake Pontchartrain. Everyone knows about Lake Ponchartrain and Katrina, the flooding and devastation that took place. The causeway is 24 miles across, connecting the north and south side of the lake together. It is one of the largest lakes I have ever seen, once you get to the middle of the causeway you cannot see land any where around you. Considering I really don’t like the 7 mile bridge to Key West, I was not happy about this one at all. And of course, half way across the lake we drove right into the end of the world.
Joe has been a truck driver for over 32 years. He has driven in every type of weather condition imaginable. He doesn’t flinch, he just stares straight ahead and doesn’t say a word. It can be nerve wracking, but from my spot in the back seat on the floor, it was comforting to have him behind the wheel. I knew we would be safe and he would get us across in one piece. But on the slight chance the car went careening off of the side of the bridge and into the murky water, the seat that I was clutched to could be used as a floating device. At least in my head it could be. And at times, as we all know, that is all that matters. New Orleans was not what I had expected.
We started off at the world famous “Café Du Mond”. Their beignets were everything that you could of hoped for. Fluffy and covered in piles high of powdered sugar. It was a great start to our exploring. We had a historical walking map of the city, which took us through back alleys and quaint shops as well as the local farmers markets and the breath taking St. Louis Cathedral. Instead of wandering around aimlessly we actually learned a lot and had a set route.
St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis CathedralAs a homeschooler I loved the history lessons that Gabe learned from touring the city this way. There weren’t as many homeless people as I would of thought we would see. The old buildings were beautiful with their wrought iron balconies and brick facade. You could see on some buildings where the damage from Hurricane Katrina effected the structure. We didn’t try any Cajun food, instead opting for pizza. I know, you are in New Orleans and no gumbo? No crawfish? We decided that we would save our “New Orleans food” for dinner, stopping at “Louie and the Red Headed Lady”, famous from Diners, Drives and Dives, plus highly recommended by my girlfriend Kathy, who has never steered us wrong before. We stopped on our way out of the city at yet another famous bakery for more beignets. Full of powdered sugar we headed back across the causeway, thankfully under clear skies, to find our place for dinner.
Did you happen to see the bright orange t-shirt that we held up while at Cafe' Du Monde? Keep watching, you will see more plus learn about why we happen to have them in the next blog post!
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