Living it up in "The Big Easy"

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This is where we met Mr.Domingues, and his wife was nice enough to take a picture for us.

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Left Tuscaloosa this morning and began our drive to New Orleans. Ann was driving as we began our daily journey. We took Interstate 59 and it was very desolate. Traffic was sparse and the closer we got to New Orleans the more you see the results of Katrina. I started to drive right outside of Slidell. We decided to have Garmin guide us through the maze of streets in New Orleans and asked for directions to the Café du Monde. We followed the directions as we understood them, but after the 2^nd time by the same public parking lot, we decided to park the car and explore on foot. That did not work very well either and we finally did the unusual and asked for directions. We stopped for lunch in the French Quarter at the Market Café. Indulged in Hurricanes, Louisiana Lemonade and Virgin Daiquiris (Christy). We all partook of the local specialties: Sue had a shrimp po boy, Ann had a muffelatta, Matt had a Taste of New Orleans (red beans and rice, crawfish etoufee, gumbo and jambalaya), Christie had the popcorn shrimp. It was all delicious and we consumed our meal outside with a jazz band playing nearby.  After lunch we continued our search for the Café du Monde and finally located it about 3 blocks down. Here we indulged in our dessert for the day – beignets (so much for a low carb diet, we are talking almost pure sugar). After this we decided we need a walk along the river. While trying to get a picture in front of the Café du Monde we were blocked by a family who when they realized they were in the picture offered to take it for us. They were a very nice couple (the Dominges) from just west of New Orleans. Continued our walk to the river where Matt and Christie both had a sense of Déjà vu. In fact Matt spent time showing us locations for various scenes from the movie Déjà vu. After the walk along the river we continued on through the farmer’s market where Matt found some “cool” shades. We decided that we should head out and start for Shreveport. Garmin got us out of town, but then we could not locate a gas station on the interstate – you had to drive into town. Ann started to drive and we decided to put in a movie for this long stretch. Would you not know it, but we could not get the sound to come through the car speakers so we did what we do best – found a Wal Mart. Got it going and continued our trip. Then the surprise for Ann – she ended up driving when we crossed the Mississippi and then to add salt to the wound she had to drive a stretch of road that was a bridge that was 20 miles long (she did fine). If we thought Interstate 59 was sparsely settled that was nothing compared to Interstate 49. Very few towns and very little traffic – but lots of green space. Could not find a casino anywhere, but saw lots of potential for the activity.  Louisiana has obviously relaxed its laws on video gambling.  Every truck stop has a video casino. Stopped for the night in Natchitoches, LA. Garmin again did us wrong. Tried to find Ryans, but it sent us again to a phantom food spot. So using our own great skills we went back and ate at Shoney’s. (of course this is after we stopped at a local dive names Magees (lots of college kids and a line). Wait staff on this trip has been outstanding.  Checked into the cut rate hotel right next to Shoneys and then found out their wireless access was slower than a dial-up. Will wait until tomorrow to update the blog. Must be tiring Matt out – he was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

enjoying a nice lunch at the Market Cafe.

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As most of you know last night we had dial up wireless internet if there is anysuch a thing so we couldn't update the blog.  But we have been rowdy today.  We hope you will enjoy and let us know if you want to know something particular about our travels.  We aim to please.