Louisiana

October 28, 2008, Tuesday: A great time was had by all as the owner of the RV Park that we’re staying at (New Orleans East) gave us a ride into the French Quarter, dropped us off, and then returned when we called him to pick us up. Going and coming he gave us a guided tour of the region. We learned a great deal and saw with our own eyes the devastation of Katrina which is still very, very, very evident. To our eyes there were communities that looked as if the waters had just recently receded. The French Quarter was a very relaxing outing for the family. We browsed the many shops, toured the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas and took in the IMAX movie of Hurricane Katrina. AS we watched the movie of the 2005 devastating storm, we were all teary eyed as we had just driven through many of the areas affected by the storm and the damage was very personal for us. Highlights for me had to do with local eating fare. First, a submarine sandwich referred to as a Muffaletta that rivaled the Cubans of Florida and were different mostly in the fact that they had an olive salad spread and were on Italian Bread (strangely, not French Bread). They were wonderful but I’ll still take a Cuban when available. Secondly, a wonderful French Donut, called a Beignets (pronounced Baynay). Now these little delicacies were something to behold. As are so many destinations in this trip, the day’s outing would easily stand alone as a destination for our vacation, but it is only one of many. I hope that the girls are able to remember the details of the day, such as the white pigmented alligator at the aquarium (not an albino, since it has blue eyes). The gator is roughly 9 feet long and is 21 years old. We have had a number of friends over the years that are Cajun, notably Ivy Lanthier, Allison Deaublichaine, and Clarice Landry. They have all been great cooks and all have effervescent personalities. Today we went by Cajun fishing communities and I now have a great appreciation for from whence they come. Music and hard work being a birthright for these folks. I’d write more, but duties call. Plus I’m writing this outside, and folks it is cold and I’m beginning to shiver. Last night it got down to 34 degrees here in Slidell, Louisiana and we turned on the furnace of LaFawnduh for the first time of the trip. October 27, 2008, Monday: It is a 187 mile drive from Pensacola to Slidell, Louisiana. Slidell is on the northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain which is the body of water whose levies broke and flooded into New Orleans back in August of 2005 when Hurricane Katrina slammed into the area. Folks, they are still rebuilding. Today, we are exploring the Saint Tammany Parish where we are staying and tomorrow we will be going into New Orleans French Quarter. We find it amazing that we are so close to the Mississippi River, for as we cross it we will officially be back in "the West". The other day a friend of ours who is taking care of the Bluff House (Alexander V.) took the initiative and sent us a picture taken of our home last week. The picture was a big hit here in scrawny ol' LaFawnduh. Audrey looked at the picture of home and after the "Oooooh's and aaaaaah's" she said, "My gosh, it looks huge!" Hannah said, "I don't recognize it." Con said, "I do, it looks nice." There were a few leaves over the ground, the house did look huge compared to our 8 ft. by 36 ft. shoebox of a house that we call LaFawnduh. It looked like Autumn on the North Olympic Peninsula. It looked like home and geez, it made me homesick. Alas, I think I'll vacuum LaFawnduh just to be doing something. . . . Conversation in our beloved and faithful servant LaFawnduh during today's drive included the following, Audrey: "I miss mountains. Man, you can't tell where you are out here." Hannah: "There are three things that I hated about Florida. Number three are the mosquitoes. Man, they were everywhere. Number two is the humidity. Shhhhhiiiiiiiiisssssssshhhhhhhh!!!! it was hot. Number one are the guts of all those squashed animals. That armadillo by Cape Canaveral, all those snakes, turtles, opossums, raccoons, and alligators. Gators squashed all over the place." Constance: "Why did they have to close that beach? Dang."