New Orleans, LA

Dec. 22nd – Dec. 28th, 2019

We woke up to rain which makes packing up always a pain because you’re getting wet in the process. At breakfast Gary said “I have a plan for this morning and you’re going to listen to me.” One could infer from that comment that he feels I don’t ordinarily listen to him. I said “yes, go on.” He says “we’re going to get everything squared away inside then you’re going to wait in the truck while I take care of the outside. No sense in both of us getting wet.” Okey dokey. That works for me! Luckily he didn’t get too wet. The rain had abated a bit when we were packing up. Johnny & Stacie got the brunt of the rain as they packed up about 45 minutes before us. 

We had a good drive to Bayou Segnette State Park in Westwego, LA… it’s just southwest of New Orleans across the Mississippi River. It was a little tricky towards the end actually getting to the campground and not making a wrong turn, but we did it! We were in a back-in site across from Stacie and Johnny. We were setting up and shortly thereafter Monty and Bev Barham arrived. They are friends that Johnny & Stacie met on the road last year. Monty & Bev are also full time RVers and have been doing it for about two years. We can learn from them!!

We had a fun time visiting and catching up with each other that evening over dinner at our place, which was nothing fancy… hamburgers. 

Monday we took the Algiers Ferry over to New Orleans. It’s about a 20 minute ride from the campground to the ferry and then about a 7 minute ferry ride, but parking is easier at the ferry than in downtown NOLA. We wanted to fit the 6 of us and Niky into one vehicle. Neither one of the trucks could accommodate that but the jeep could. So, Johnny & Stacie piled way in the back with Niky, Gary and I in the back seat and Bev & Monty in the front. Pretty funny. Gary tried sitting way in the back but his knees were in his face… that was not going to work!

The ferry was $2 per person and drops you at the waterfront within easy walking distance of the French Quarter. We wandered around eating beignets at Cafe Du Monde, walking on Bourbon Street where all the bars are, walked to Jackson Square where the street performers do their thing, visited the French Market, and generally absorbed the sights and sounds of the French Quarter. We got hit up by a few panhandlers who are very creative in their approach.  One struck up a conversation with us. Next thing we know the three girls have beads draped over our heads. Thank you Johnny for coming to the rescue and paying our way out of it. In one unique situation a panhandler poured some nasty solution on Monty’s shoe and then wanted to clean his shoes. That one seemed a bit much. But it’s New Orleans… these things happen. 

On this first day we discovered Monty’s unique ability to be a street photographer. He has a high end small camera which he carries with him everywhere. He takes the most amazing photos but you never know he’s taking them. He captures the most unique images. If interested, check out his website at boosepics.com.  

We headed back to our place and everyone pitched in for dinner. 

Tuesday Gary and I did some errands in the morning while the others biked to a fish market up the road. Then Gary and I biked around the campground for about 5.5 miles to check out the day use area, cabins on the river, fishing areas, etc. A beautiful day and fun to be back on a bike! Then we joined Stacie & Johnny and Bev & Monty sitting outside enjoying the sunshine. Dinner was a delicious roast beef cooked in Bev’s Instant pot. We gathered in Bev & Monty’s motor home for dinner and got a doggy fix with Archer, Bev & Monty’s grand dog, and Niky who is J&S’s dog. 

Wednesday (Christmas Day) was the perfect day to explore the Garden District neighborhood in New Orleans. Originally it was called the Garden District because large homes were built (only a few to a block) with similarly large gardens. In later years with New Orleans becoming more urbanized, the lots were subdivided and more homes built. The neighborhood retains the name and the homes are still some of the prettiest in New Orleans. Plus several actors have homes in the Garden District including Sandra Bullock and the house used to film the Brad Pitt movie Benjamin Button. The six of us had the good sense to pack lunch since we didn’t think any restaurants would be open on Christmas Day. We wandered around the Garden District taking pictures of the beautiful homes and were somewhat surprised to see that others had the same idea. We were not alone. We ate on the steps of a church. Unfortunately, we could not get into the historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (est. in 1833) because it was closed on Christmas. We’ve been there before to see the above ground tombs, which are quite something but many are in disrepair. After we’d seen enough of the Garden District, we headed back to the campground and relaxed for awhile before having Christmas dinner at our place. Gary grilled chicken and steak tips that we’d brought with us from back home at Tuckaway Tavern.  

Thursday dawned and we decided to head back into NOLA. Stacie & Johnny piled into the back of the jeep once again with Niky and we headed to the ferry for the ride into NOLA. We picked out a restaurant in the French Quarter for lunch that was dog friendly. This one even allowed dogs inside the restaurant… only in New Orleans! Afterwards we visited some of the many art galleries on Royal Street and headed back over to Jackson Square. The park was closed the first time we visited a few days ago. Have no idea why! We had better luck this time with the park being open. Once again lots of street performers. Fun to see them work the crowd. They have a system because one can’t start before the other one finishes, particularly if they are both playing music. It would drown the other out. We walked back over towards the French Market to get Johnny & Bev some pralines and then started the walk back to catch the ferry. Bev & I were being a bit slow pokey.  She & I were the last ones back to the ferry and made it by a few minutes. I was convinced they wouldn’t leave on time since they hadn’t on the Westwego side of the ferry, but we realized afterwards that’s how it works. They sit at Westwego longer than the New Orleans side. Ok. Now I know. Gary did an “I told you so.” It’s very annoying when he’s right. 

Dinner was hosted over at Bev & Monty’s. Archer (their grand dog) had been alone for the day so they wanted him to have company. Gary has a little crush on Archer (and Niky) so that was fine with us, and Niky and Archer basically ignore each other so it works well. Stacie made Chicken Alfredo, which was delicious. We are eating well on this trip!

On Friday Gary and I drove into NOLA by ourselves to link up with my cousin Marie’s daughter Liz and her husband Jason. Liz has her Mom’s face. I look at beautiful Liz and I see Marie. My heart was happy. We met at a restaurant for lunch and had a great visit. We heard all about their thriving business, drink4d.com, and their three beautiful girls! They are in the 8th year of running their business and are hitting their stride. They’ve worked hard and should be proud of their success. Jason had the dream and Liz was right there helping and supporting him.  Marie is smiling down from heaven, and I’m sure is very proud of both of them and giving love to the whole family.  

We left Liz & Jason so they could meet up with their girls (Jason’s mom had them) and they could enjoy Christmas Fest at the convention center as a family. We headed off to the City Park, via streetcar. That was an experience. It was supposed to be one streetcar that we could take to the last stop and voila we’d be at City Park. Best laid plans. Two streetcars and a bus later, we get to City Park. Because of a crane accident (which happened in October) in the building that was to be a new Hard Rock Cafe, we were re-directed due to street closures. We did get ample opportunity to experience traveling in a streetcar, which is how a lot of the local commuters get to & from work. It was interesting… so many stops that I probably could have walked faster…and let’s just say the seats are wooden and not meant for comfort. We finally arrived at New Orleans City Park. It’s a gem. The park is 1,300 acres and is over 150 years old and is one of the country’s oldest and most beautiful urban parks. Within its 1,300 acres are a Botanical Garden, Museum of Art, Sculpture Garden, antique carousel, horse riding lessons, tennis courts, 2 football stadiums, 12 soccer fields, 18-hole golf course and the list goes on. It’s massive. We opted to walk some of the grounds and see some of their Christmas light displays and see the (free) Sculpture Garden which was fabulous. The walking trails within the Sculpture garden were very unique…. walking under bridges where you’re at eye level with the water. The massive sculptures were awesome. Well worth the 2 streetcars and bus to get there. We bumped into Stacie, Johnny, Bev & Monty and the 2 dogs. They had also come to City Park and were walking around. They were ending their visit though and we were just starting ours so we talked through the fence separating us and then Gary & I continued on through the Sculpture Garden. The park also boasts 30,000 trees. A few of their live oak trees are over 800 years old. Amazing. 

We ended our day at City Park. This time we were smarter and took one streetcar as far as we could and then walked the rest of the way. We figured it would be faster. We did have a chance to see some of the lights coming on in the city as it got dark. We arrived back at the campground at about 6:30 and enjoyed a quiet night. 

Saturday was a chore day plus we enjoyed sitting outside and visiting with Johnny & Stacie and Monty & Bev. We all headed out for dinner to Frankie & Johnny’s, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant in New Orleans started in 1942 with great fried everything. The walls were decorated with famous past guests… I don’t think our photos will be added to the menagerie. We all thoroughly enjoyed  our respective fried dinners… mostly shrimp and chicken, although I think I was a hold out with grilled shrimp vs. fried. We also had an appetizer of fried green peppers which was very tasty. 

Sunday we said our goodbyes as Gary and I were headed further west and the others were headed back into Louisiana and then into Florida. The six of us had such fun together. We have plans to see J&S in April on our way back to NH, and we’ll definitely look forward to crossing paths again with Monty & Bev in our travels. The last week has been a delight! 

Next stop Kinder, LA for a few nights.