Big Easy ~ and it was

 

We have left the 'Big Easy' after a 10 day visit and are headed south and the Gulf, for warmer weather, some kayaking and maybe just sitting down on the sand. This post will be more photo, less history....New Orleans, or as a local ~ Naw-lins is better known than many of the spots we have toured, therefore I have less to say. As many of you know I adore churches, art and nature...so I found some of that here. I'll include a few "not to miss" activities as well.

 

We stayed across the river in the Bayou Segenette State Park, and took the ferry from Algiers - 3 min crossing and it is FREE, drops you near the FQ, so it was perfect for u.. Using the ferry gave me such joy and recall of the fond memories of growing up with the Puget Sound ferry system. There is a small parking lot that charges $5/day M-F, a bit more on the weekends but it was so worth not having to drive across and attempt to find parking, as there are quite a few pedestrian only and one-way narrow streets. The state park had nice large spots, free Wi-Fi and laundry...it also gives you an idea of the dike system that protects much of the area, as a dike lurks nearby on the access road to the RV parking.

 

This short video is of the Natchez tour boat leaving the harbor just as we docked.
  

 

Another beautiful church, St. Louis Cathedral, which you can see from the ferry as you cross the Mississippi...and the state museum has buildings on either side.

 

One of the wings is dedicated to Katrina ... included in the display was the piano owned by Fats Domino - shown here at his home

and here, cleaned and displayed as it was found.

 

And there is Mardi Gras...who hasn't heard of MG? Second floor of the museum is devoted to this with collections of invitations, dance cards, costumes and all the paraphernalia is a part of the celebration.

 

  

 

 

Friends suggested doing a few things while in New Orleans....eat at Muriel's -

 

Check that...it was elegant, delicious and swanky! We hit the oft mentioned Café Dumont for the beignet experience...check ! We found a great lunch at El Gato Negro, near the French Market...some of the best Mexican ever! Homemade tortillas, salsa and the fish tacos - the bomb!



It was suggested we drive across the "causeway" of Lake Pontchartrain .... now I truly dislike bridges, mostly high bridges, or bridges that have grating. The irony is that I live in a town with lots of bridges...I hold my breath and just drive across...but this bridge is 24 miles long and at times one can not see land, it is like driving across the ocean. I counted down the

 

mile markers as we crossed and was extremely happy to hit land and drive around for the return.

 

National World War II Museum was an unexpected treat...the 4D experience of the movie "Beyond All Boundaries" was unique. The buildings and exhibits are remarkable, the WWII veterans sharing they experiences and the interactive maps and displays makes for a full day.

 

I wanted a souvenir of our trip here...I found this at the Flea Market - Jennies - with instructions for both good and evil. Isn't she beautiful? A voodoo doll...<grinning>

 

 

New Orleans is a lovely city, with many historical buildings, feisty historical figures, great food and music.

 

This sign, found on a garage door gave me a moment of humor and the knowledge that someone has a sense of humor about their neighborhood. 

 



 

Next up, our Swamp Tour in Patterson, LA.

~Ciao

Gay Paree

I'v now been to Paris... Texas that is!  They say everything is bigger in Texas - however this Eiffel Tower stands only 65'....I giggled. The big red Stetson does nothing for the tower...other than be a beacon for incoming aircraft.

LaMar Co Historical Museum

There is a museum located on the grounds of the old Union Station with displays related directly to the city and the county, most notable: The Oak Ridge Boys are featured, as Duane Allen was born in LaMar county.

 

                                                              below > 1898 Physicians Buggy

                    
Inside they have re-constructed a small reclaimed cabin - a small portion of the interior below - inside one of the display rooms.

We stayed out at the Pat Mayse State Park,where large sites; many with views of the lake, provided quiet time after a day of exploring. Catfish and bass fishing kept the boat launch busy, but we were able to explore the lake in our kayaks on one of the sunny days.

In addition to the herons, cranes, coyotes - yes, we were serenaded by them nightly, and squirrels there was a large flock of ducks that moved around the lake as if connected together.
 

 

Our reward for the week was seeing our first armadillo...This one came out, at roughly 4pm, to feed in the same spot every day.  He didn't seem bothered by our presence, and we certainly enjoyed his.

Next up....Shreveport.

~ Ciao

 

 

 

 

Toto - (aka Lucy) we are not in Kansas anymore....

 
An oil rig...

just one of hundreds  that we saw  traveling through Kansas and the

Cathedral of the Plains (below) is in Victoria, KS and can be seen from I-70...the towers stand 141' so we noticed it from a distance, just before we left the interstate for the night in Russell. 

 

 

We hit the road yesterday morning in Russell, KS and even though it was 10am, with the temperature @ 40 & rising, we still needed coats for the wind that was  blowing.  Our heading - Boiling Springs State Park outside Woodward, OK…for rest and relaxation. 

 

We have taken to  driving the back roads, those 2 lane connectors between small towns like Hosington (pop. 2700, Hosington is located in the middle of Kansas at the junction of Kansas Highway 4 and United States Highway 281 and sits directly on the National Wetlands and Wildlife Scenic Byway), Larned (pop. 4600, Fort Larned, one of the best preserved Pony Express era military forts in the country); to Pawnee Rock (pop. 252)…that’s right, 252 – a state park is located there.  We also drove through the thriving city of Great Bend (pop 16,000)…named for the bend in the Arkansas River, which has all the usual fast food joints one finds in large cities.  Did not see a Starbucks, but there was a Mickey D’s, Pizza Hut, Sonic and the assorted other bistros….not to worry I am still on the hunt for the weird and unusual named establishments. And I found one in Phillipsburg, Kansas...The Chubby Pickle - need I say more? They sell, erm, wait for it......

 

hamburgers - was there ever a question.

 

A theme appears to run through Kansas towns…banner flags hanging from lamp poles. Each town proudly sharing either the local high school mascot, the year it was founded, or as in the case of Kinsey - which informs you that they are exactly...

 

half-way between NYC and SF.  The other similar note worth mentioning, although not limited to KS, is the once grand old theatres that are now shuttered or only open on weekends…such a sad commentary of our times. Phillipsburg, KS isn't one of them by the looks of their Majestic.

 I’ve been googling (isn’t technology grand when it’ convenient and useful), these small towns just prior to arriving to get a better sense of the demographics and for background.  An example: yesterday as we drove through northern Kansas we couldn’t ID the crop that seemed to be the major farm crop.

So I googled and discovered it’s sorghum.  Sorghum grass fields dot the landscape of Kansas...and many of the fields have oil rigs. (We were amazed to learn of the many uses for sorghum, besides as the flour I use for baking.) Used as Butyl Alcohol in industrial applications and as a diesel fuel additive.

 Coldwater, KS, (pop. 836), county seat and Lake Coldwater is the only city, county, or state lake in southwest Kansas that permits water-related sports. While we didn't stay long enough to use our kayaks, we did spend about an hour walking around the town.

The building, in the photo above,  was the first one we saw when we pulled into town. We could only guess....a hotel in it's hey-day?, a bank?, now it's a coin laundry and apartments...we decided it was a hotel - given the baloney.

A couple of original buildings...above the local newspaper and I have no idea what the building below was originally, it is now the county museum.

Coldwater was approximately 20 miles from where we are parked in the Boiling Springs State Park...

which will be most likely highlighted in my next installment. In the meantime, let me leave you with a short video of the deer, arrived at dusk, eating apple we tossed out to them...there were about 6. We hope to feed them every night we are here.

Until then~Ciao

The mess of weather we found in Texas

 

It's been a wild 2 weeks for sure. We left Tucson at the end of December searching for warmer weather in Texas...many had told us that the secret source of heat came from a glowing yellow orb that hung out along the border of Texas and Mexico. We were intrigued, due in large part to having spent most of December in the cold town of Tucson and frankly, we were tired of fighting the temperature as it continued to drop. I mean, we spent some cash last spring installing solar panels on this tin-house darn it! We want to use the power it is suppose to be generating....

First stop Balmorhea State Park. Population 479...

One day in we receive the blessing of 9" of snow

 

Nice 'hot springs' pool is located here. Nope, no shining yellow orb or warmth could be found!

 

Once the roads were clear we departed for the Davis Mt State Park and Fort Davis NP, hoping that moving even 50 miles down the road would provide more Sun and heat, and they stood between us and Big Bend National Park - our original goal. Little did we know that during the second evening in the park....snow fell. Again with the cold, damp weather..

  

Davis Mt State Park

If you get to Fort Davis, stop into the Old Texas Inn to at least have a soda - they have a fabulous old-time soda fountain, stools and all. Upstairs is a small, quaint art gallery.

Old Texas Inn/Drugstore Cafe and Art Gallery

 

The park is lovely, however there is no cell phone reception (at least not with our carrier) and the park wi-fi, when working, was slow....very slow. We did venture out to see the local towns, Marfa - yes we went to see the Mystery Lights - no sighting...and we had a good "that we got 'Punk'd" moment of laughter.

  

Marfa Courthouse and Palace Theatre

 

Marfa also has a beautiful historic hotel with a nice dining room where we had a delicious meal.

     

Hotel Paisano



Filming of the movie that starred Liz Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean, "Giant" took place in Marfa and Hotel Paisano  had the privilege of hosting the cast and crew. Cool.

 

Finally the road is clear to McDonald Observatory, 16 miles from the park and on one of the highest points in Texas and still no cell phone coverage....not even extended service Texas isn't doing much to  make me fall in love, that's for sure.

   Operated by the UT/Austin this is really impressive. We've been to Kitt Peak and this tour was far more informative....we thoroughly enjoyed our 4 hours there.

  .

2.7 m (107") Harlan J. Smith Telescope

 

Home of the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope

 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope

91 hexagon mirrors make up the 9.2m Hobby-Eberly Telescope and are aligned by computers daily.

 

West Texas has interesting history, landscape and small towns that we are really happy we were able to tour it all. But the weather truly was barely bearable...I really do wonder what I did to make the weather gods mad.

 

We are passing on Big Bend until we can determine Sun/solar equality (no electric in some parts of that park) and are heading towards Del Rio....

 

Adios amigos~



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 



Destination Texas - check

 

After a couple of diversions in our travel itinerary we have finally arrived in the great state of Texas. I was expecting more warmth....the nights so far have been in the teens/20's...in the rig it is cold even with a propane heater.  We've had icicles on the water sprout and ice on our windows...but hey, we are camping in Texas in January

 

Juarez, MX from I-10 @ El Paso



We are staying near Balmorhea until the increment weather moves through...snow is forecast for -tomorrow. We left Oregon for snow in SW Texas....? Give me a moment....OK, I'm on board again.

Metalwork statues outside an Mexican import shop

Balmorhea...quaint small town, population 469...we have determined that it flourishes in summer because most of the businesses were closed, and not just for the holidays.

 

 

We then drove to Pecos, about 38 miles for propane and some groceries. Either of which we could find closer to the park. We were surprised to find the once thriving town, now very depressed and shabby - like so many of America's small towns the main drag contains closed storefronts

 

Downtown Pecos

Closed State Theatre

 Several buildings have been transformed into museums....such as the old railroad station....

 

and this storefront is now a Antique Car museum.

Pecos is famous...

this historical marker was right on the edge of downtown Pecos.

and finally, to let me know that I am indeed in Texas. A real cowboy climbing into his truck at the Napa Auto Store. Nothing says Texas like a man wearing spurs!



Next stop...Fort Davis.

~ Ciao