From New Orleans to SE Texas Gulf!

Where does the time go?  From our fun time in New Orleans, we headed to Hammond, LA for one night to get the RV jack control board replaced, then went to Boca Roton, Marksville, GA (Casino RV park @ $8.50 with full hook-up!  Together, we came out $10 ahead with our big gambling splurge!) ,then to Shreveport, LA.  Stayed there at an Elks club 5 nights, having the place to ourselves.  Went to see "Moon over Buffalo",a comedy by Ken Ludwig, at the local live theatre, and it was a HOOT!  Had great seats and thoroughly enjoyed it.  Al was thinking TAPA could do this one!
At Shreveport, there was another tornado warning on our phone saying to take shelter.  We went into the Elks Club to see where they suggested to go, and they said, "Oh, sit and have a drink!  We never get tornados here".  We saw the alert  on their big screen TV, too, but they were all watching the game and carrying on like nothing was wrong.  We looked at each other, stood around and talked with them (even the Sherriff was there partying) and decided to just go back to the RV and at least be away from the cigarette smoke!  Alert was cancelled about an hour later, and all was well.  Guess you must get used to them like people in California get used to earthquakes and aftershocks!  From Shreveport we stopped one night at Longview, TX and parked at WalMart.  


This picture and one of Jackie as well, are
composed of 50K tiny portraits of their spouse!
Hard to imagine until we looked with a magni-
fying glass and could see them.

Next day pulled into Dallas Elks for 10 nights @ $15.  Only one other RV  (except one night there were 3 of us).      The other RVer at the Elks was a rep for Metal Detectors, and a good salesman,  so we now have one. Al is keeping found coins separate, and so far, has a little over $1 towards paying for itself, but at least it doesn't cost to use it! Same people also knew a good dentist there in Shreveport as I had an abcessed tooth.  Wasn't sure I might need it pulled, but so far the antibiotics took care of it.  Would love to take that dentist back to Tillamook!  She was wonderful!





From Oswald's perch onto the highway below

While in Dallas, we  walked the historic district downtown which was really interesting.    Also saw the JFK memorial which was very sobering as we remembered where we were that day, and watched all the TV broadcasts, photos, etc.  Stood at the place Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shot, and felt part of history.  Trouble with not writing more often, I forget what we have done!  Thanksgiving we spent at a nice catered dinner with some friends we had met the night before.  Really nice to have people to be with while not with our family.

Capital Bldg, Austin, TX

From Dallas, we stopped one night at Temple, TX. The WalMart didn't look safe, so we parked at Lowe's. Nice quiet night! 


Senate at Austin,, TX

Inside the Driskill Hotel, 1886 Austin, TX

Bar lamps in Driskill made from
Civil war pistols

Intricate hand carving inside Driskill Hotel

House of Representatives, Austin, TX

Then on to Austin to Oak Forrest RV park for 5 nights.  Pool wasn't heated, but hot tub was :-).  Started to have trouble with one of the leveling jacks not going up.  Al has had to sometimes manually push it up from under the RV while I hold the button down.  Austin, being the capital, had a lot to see and do.  We took a walking tour of town, (Was one of the coldest days , and we were all walking briskly) then also one of the capital building.  Magnificent building built in 1886 and very ornate and interesting.  They have tried to keep it exactly as it was when built!   Our tour guide explained about the different architecture of the buildings in town.  The front and sides of particular buildings are different trying to fit in with the type of style at the times.  The Governor's mansion would have been delightful to tour, but it was closed for renovationsl.             Walked through the Driskill Hotel, also built in 1886.  They were just starting to decorate for Christmas, and it was gorgeous.  So much beautiful hand-carved wood work, furniture, mirrors, window dressing, etc.


Driskill Hotel.  owner was a cattle baron




Door into bakery/cafe at Driskill Hotel

More Driskill woodwork

mama pig and some of her piglets

Across the street from the RV Park was an organic farm market.  We went and got a few fresh vegies, but the big attraction for us was their black pigs and all the piglets of varying ages.  We got there just at feeding time, and was a riot to watch them all crawling over each other.  The adult pigs were very friendly and fun to watch. 

Something I think I forgot to mention about when blogging our New Orleans visit was all the wonderful art galleries.  One was Craig Tracy Gallery focussed on Fine Art Bodypainting.  He would use the human body as a canvas and create beautiful art where you hardly noticed the body.  You may want to visit www.craigtracy.com .  We were very impressed!  Another gallery was in Austin, that of Andy Coolquitt.  He used countless objects to sculp, and his signature material (along with broomsticks, pipes, or whatever) was the old bic plastic lighters....hundreds of them glued together!  We didn't understand his work, but really was interesting.  The other artist in the same gallery was Nick Cave, and his display entitled, "Hiding in plain sight".  Displayed were articles of clothing made of different materials.  One just buttons and wire recreates costumes worn by villagers during African celebrations.  Another was made of dogwood twigs, wire, upholstery, basket and a manequin.    Also had a 15 minute video of these creations come to life that he MUST have had some mind-altering substance to create!!!  I could have watched for hours!  Very intriguing and creative!

From Austin, we moved to Lk Braunig RV Park about 7 miles outside San Antonio.  Went into town and visited their Market Square.  Mostly Mexican wares and clothes, pottery, etc.  Walked all over town, then along the Riverwalk remembering our time there in 2010.  Had seen the Alamo in 2010, but saw the cathedrals, enjoyed street musicians, etc.  We toured the missions of San Juan, Espada and Conception. Interesting and amazing to think how they were built so long ago and still remain, and HOW did they get those big rocks up high, etc., and all without power equipment, electricity, etc. Hadn't realized that the missions were actually secure walled communities where people lived and worked behind guarded walls. They had gardens, huge flocks of sheep, herds of cattle, etc. The San Juan Mission was actually built in 1731 in East Texas and was moved to San Antonio! Hard to imagine it being moved with our current methods let alone then by hand...mules, wagons???


One of the Missions at San Antonio

Having had enough of the big city traffic, etc., we decided to skip Houston and went to Galveston Island State Park. Quiet and peaceful, right on the beach except behind a berm. Had to walk through dunes to get to the beach. Camper next to us told us he had seen a big black snake on the path there, so we were very cautious!  This guy, named Mark drove a big beautiful RV with "Sobriety Bus" written all over it in big letters.  I went and introduced myself, and asked him if he knew Bill Wilson.  He said "he had heard of him, but preferred to take the elevator   instead of the steps, and that worked for him".   Beach pretty, but not much in way of shells, driftwood, etc. Pretty hard to beat Rockaway Beach, and other of Oregon's beaches!  In Galveston, we walked around The Strand District and enjoyed the shops. 



Moody Mansion

Not very inviting warning Galveston!

Then, we toured "Moody Mansion".  Another magnificent home, built by a railroad man with 9 children and their servants.  When he died, the wife could not afford it, so put it up for sale just before the hurricane of 1900.  Mr & Mrs Moody saw the ad, and Mrs. M wanted her husband to bid on it.  He really didn't want it, but to please her he bid $20,000.  It was worth $200K at the time!  The hurricane hit and all bids were withdrawn but his, so they ended up with the home for them and their 4 children and 4 servants.  The basement which was to be servant quarters had been flooded with 5-8feet of water, so the servants lived upstairs with the family.  The house renmained in the family and eventually only one of the adult children lived in the home until 1986 when it was turned into a museum and restored again after the Hurricane Ike in 2008.  Once again, no photographs were allowed inside!  It was truly splendiferous!


Texas sky

Onward towards The Gulf cost of Texas.  We stayed one night at a very nice park at Palacious with the Gulf on one side and bay on the other.  Then on to Aransas Pass area where we stayed at Rockport at Circle W for 4 nights.  It was older park, but nice people.  We wanted to check out the area and see if we wanted to stay; visited many RV Parks, went to a Christmas Celebration at Fulton Mansion.  Quite a let down after Moody mansion, but nice Christmas program.   We drove to Aransas Pass and Corpus Christi, and were not impressed.  RV Parks we saw were pretty run down and in industrial areas, so we moved.  We stayed at La Feria (suburb of Harlingen), for 3 nights and searched more RV parks.  Found that most of the things to do are in Harlingen, so we are now there. This park is huge and has 2 pools, 2 spas, shuffleboard, work-out room, tennis, craft rooms, library, and many other amenities.  Lots of French-speaking Canadadians here, and sometimes feel in the minority!  Texas has a lot of wind, and so far the weather varies from days in 90's to days in 60's then back to heat again. 

Light displays at Hidalgo, TX

Everyone kept saying we needed to go to Hidalgo, TX to see their Festival of Lights.  We figured it would be a typical 1 strip of lights or something, but decided it would be a fun evening.  Got combo $10 tickets for kids' fund-raising dinner, trolley ride through town and stage show by High School Jazz Band.  Dinner was kind like a Banquet TV dinner, but the lights and jazz band were definitely worth the trip!  The whole town  (which is close to the Mexican border) decorates.  City employees start in October to light everything in town using over 3 million lights and there were over 500 light displays of all kinds.  Really amazing! 

Hard to feel like Christmas being in the heat, and away from family, but with the weather at home, neither of us are missing Oregon right now.  Here's a few of the photos Al took of the lights at Hidalgo Festival.

We Truly want to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!  Aren't we glad the Mayan's had another calendar when that one ended!  Al & Sylvia

New Orleans

NEW ORLEANS, AT LAST!

Marina at Ponchartrain Landing RV Park

pool at Ponchartrain Landing

We finally made it to New Orleans!  Arrived Oct 24 and left today, Nov 4. 

Street in French Quarter
under repair getting ready
for SuperBowl!

We were very apprehensive when we followed Navigation System's directions off the freeway and it appeared to go nowhere fit for an RV.  Well, a friendly semitruck driver stopped and gave us directions.  We were going the right direction, just rough roads and not very nice area getting off the interstate.  Once we got to the iron security gate at the park and got checked in, we were very impressed.  Pool, hot tub, neither in use right now due to weather :-( , a marina, and very nice RV sites in well-maintained park.  Music in their open-air bar several nights a week, which we could hear well from our site!  They had a shuttle into New Orleans city for $5 pp/day, and after 3 days rides were free!  The shuttle took different routes many days due to road construction so we got to see lots of side streets.  The effects of Katrina and Isaac were evident and pretty horendous. This RV park was completely wiped out and completely rebuilt after Katrina.   Downtown in French Quarter, every street is under repair and closed off in many areas as they are "prettying up the town" in preparation for hosting the SuperBowl. 
 
First day, we took the shuttle at 4pm into town as there was a free concert in Lafayette park.  We met our friend, Mark Parker, there and enjoyed listening to the music and visiting with him.  He put our minds to ease by telling us the city is safe as long as you stay in the boundaries of the popular sites, and we did that and had a ball.  Weather was in the 80's each day except for first Saturday when the wind blew and it was cold!  This morning as we left the park, the wind came up strong and it rained hard for about 15 minutes.  Since then it has been nice again, although today it may have only reached 70.

2nd day, we took 10am shuttle to French Quarter, the cultural epicenter full of historic landmarks, colorful architecture, bustling bars and live music venues .  Had great lunch at Pat O'Brien's restaurant.  I had a wonderful salad while Al tried a  sandwich,called a Muffaletta. ... Huge, expensive balogna and cheese sandwich) and he enjoyed it!   Interesting how they have renovated the 1st floors of the buildings, but you can look up and see the upper floors in disrepair.  There is construction going on everywhere.  Locals told us the workers are those from other states to work, as the people who live here won't take labor jobs as they can make more from government subsidies and not have to work!!!  The French Quarter did not flood, but outside that area are homes barely standing.  Many have been redone, many not.  Behind the ugly unrefurbished store fronts are locked gates leading to beautiful courtyards leading to luxury apartments.  Never know from the street!

Day 3, we took the afternoon shuttle to town and met Mark, and we went to Drago's for dinner (at Harrah's).  Great food, and Al tried and enjoyed some of Mark's oysters, which he normally doesn't like!  I abstained from trying them, as usual.  :-).  Walked around the city with Mark and he pointed out landmarks, etc.

Dinner at Drago's with Mark Parker



Joe and his co-workers at Camillia Cafe
put on quite a show and kept us entertained
serving up great simple food.

This gal should be on stage!  WOW! her
bow was moving so fast it could have cut
the strings!!!

Drum was suitcase/chair; played with
right foot.  left foot played tambourine
and bell, while he played guitar and sang!

2nd Line Band after a wedding

Camillia Cafe

Day 4, Saturday, we met Mark and walked and walked and walked!  This was the cold and windy day, and we were all freezing so we walked briskly.  Found the quaint, old-fashioned Camillia Cafe', and I had my first gumbo (sausage, chicken, etc soup with rice), while the guys ate huge meals followed by homemade apple pie alamode.  Pie was heated on the grill!  The crust was light, flaky and delicious!  (I had to eat some of the crust!).  Our waiter was worth the price of a show!  He and the others joked and sang and put on quite an act keeping us all entertained during our meal.  Walking around the French Quarter, we came upon several really great groups of musicians!  Some we could have watched for hours!  There were horse-drawn carriages, pedi-cabs, and artists at work all around Jackson Square.  There was a Voodoo festival in town, so there were many costumes and acts along the streets!  And Royal Street was lined with art galleries.  So many beautiful, original artwork.  We broke down and bought a small print to brighten up the RV.  One artist did body art.  The background painted first, then he put a model in place and painted the body to be part of the work.  Awesome! We got to experience a 2nd Line Parade, which is really a roving dance party with brass band, and this one was a wedding party, complete with waiters serving h'ordeurves along the route.  The cemetaries here are above ground tombs due to the floods.

Inside St Louis Cathedral



This clarinetist/soloist was so good on the street,
we bought one of her albums!

French Quarter apts above street level

St Louis Cathedral at
 French Quarter

Original hitching posts
in French Quarter

Sunday, day 5, we decided to stay in and do laundry, rest, etc.  Watched a video at the RV Park office on Hurricane Katrina which really makes us grateful we were not involved!  So sad to see so much loss and devastation.  It was a very well-done film.

Monday, we went again on the shuttle and walked around the city.  Tuesday, went to the World War II Museum.  3 Floors of exhibits, videos, and history, including boats, planes, tanks, and personal accounts by veterans that had been there.  We met a veteran there who had been there on the invasion upon one of the beaches.  Very well done, and we both learned things we didn't know or had forgotten.  One interesting thing was the British stormed the beaches carrying their rifles and their bicycles!   We chose to go to the Tom Hanks movie ,"Beyond All Boundaries", (part of the museum)
a 4D production, meant to experience the war as if you were there.  It was very well done, with smoke smell in the air, seats shaking with the roar of the tanks and choppers, Bombs blasting and Lights flashing.  Too much reality for both of us, and Al says he would not have chosen to go if he had known how real it would be, as it took him back to his war memories.

 Wednesday was Halloween and we took the afternoon shuttle and met Mark for dinner again.  This time at Amano's, a very nice, elegant meal and great company!  Then Al and I went back to the French Quarter to Bourbon Street, to watch all the costumed people!  Quite a show!!!  People everywhere!  So fun to watch!  Shuttle doesn't run after 8, so we took a cab back.  Mr. David, the cabbie, tried to sell us on Ganoderma coffee all the way back, but he was interesting.  2nd night, he gave us each a sample pack, I tried mine next morning, but didn't see any results.  Gano is supposed to be ancient chinese herb good for a lot of ailments.

Nov.  1, All Saints' Day
Al asked if they were left over
from last night!   : -)

"I was framed"

Bronze band at Armstrong Park

Entrance to park

Thursday, took the shuttle again.  This time there was another free concert in Louis Armstrong Park, so we went there and strolled around.  Very nice park with monuments and fountains .Then we sat and listened for awhile.  Walked to French Quarter again, and had dinner at Pat O'Brien's, then caught the 8pm show at Preservation Hall.  This is one of the few places where you can go listen to bands without being in a bar.  This night was a Tornado (or was it Tsunami) Brass Band, with Tuba, Trombone, Trumpet, Sax, Bass Drum and Snare Drummer.  They played and sang well.  Very small, old venue, seats not raised, and by the time we got in, there was standing room only and couldn't see a thing.  So, we went out in the hallway and looked in the door by the stage so we could at least see the band.  Great music, just wish venue were better.  They have sell-out crowds 3 shows a night, though, so guess they don't need to improve.  $15 each for 40 minute show.  Wouldn't do that again!  Good music on the streets for free..... And you can see them!

Halloween decorations

Fountain at Riverwalk

Algiers Ferry.  Passengers free!
Cars free outbound, $1 inbound!

Old Blue DeSoto matches old blue house at
Algiers Point

Friday, took the shuttle, then took free 10-minute ferry ride to Algiers Point.  This is mostly an older residential area with a few businesses.  Beautiful old homes, some of which are being restored.  Then back to Mainland and walked the shops at the Riverfront until the 4pm shuttle back.   We have walked miles each day this week, and our legs must be getting in shape as mine especially are tired! 

Saturday, we stayed in, cleaned and did laundry again getting ready to head out.  Today, we are "camped" at Hammond Wal-Mart as we will go to the RV place in the morning to hopefully get our jacks working again.  From here????  Who knows!  We will look at the map tomorrow and decide.  The kitties are having trouble adjusting to daylight savings time.  They always get treats at 10pm, and they start begging at 9, now!  Amazing how they know when it is time!  Also get us up on old time as well.  Ugh!

One thing we did not get to experience at New Orleans was their trolley system.  There are 3 lines, and by transferring from one to another, can pretty much tour the entire town.  Unfortunately, they were not running due to all the road construction.  They were running busses on the lines, but somehow it just didn't seem like the same enchantment. 
Oh, well,all is well here.  Hope it is there as well.
Sylvia & Al