Who Dat? In New Orleans

Spent 5 great days in New Orleans the week before official Mardi GRAS. We decided it would be difficult with the dogs to do the full Mardi GRAS thing and the campsites get much more pricey. But the party was still raging on Bourbon St anyway. Took in a few bands, some drinks and a few good cigars while walking around with our eyes wide open, such a crazy scene. Also stopped at one of the many takeout places and grabbed a "Po-Boy"' kinda like a sub sandwich and seafood Gumbo!

Click hear for my sounds of the French Quarter YouTube video 

Sorry for the sound on Bourbon St but it is so loud with all the bands playing it overwhelms the tiny camera mic

One night we headed over to Frenchmen street which is just out of the French Quarter where the locals go for good food and music without the craziness that is Bourbon St.  It was nice to have dinner at a little bistro with jazz playing in the back then stroll the run down but very colorful, funky neighborhood.

During the days we had fun riding the electric street cars from Uptown area which is stuffed full of mansion like Victorian houses down to the French Quarter area. Along the way we could see the preparations people were making getting ready for the big parades.

Anne noticed that the Cirque du Soliel tribute to Micheal Jackson show was on at the New Orleans arena so on a really rainy night we drove in and saw it. It was actually pretty cool and it was neat to see the Superdome next door all lite up for Mardi GRAS. But man the traffic and roads in New Orleans are brutal.

 We had a blast in New Orleans now on to Texas.  Lots more pix click here

Our last gasp of Florida

Before we left Florida we made one more stop at a funky little fishing village called Cedar Key. Everything about it had that retro feel, like you are back in the seventies. The campground we stayed at even had an old trailer out front.

Anne and I headed into town and explored the small village on our bikes, which made for a great day. We of course stopped at one of the many waterside restaurants for our fill of some local seafood. yummm

On the local peir the pelicans were hanging around hoping to score some free fish from people fishing and Anne loves pelicans, so she had a blast.

Next morning we headed out to get some sunrise photography done. It was a beautiful morning and I was lucky to catch the boats heading out for the day of clam farming, which is the biggest industry here. The boats are very different. The steering is way up front and so is the engine. They call them "bird dog boats"

Leaving Florida was sad but west is where we need to go now. We have made stops in Alabama and are currently in Biloxi, Mississippi. Biloxi was devastated by Katrina and it still show, much of the oceanfront is empty lots. The casinos are back though and we spent an afternoon at the Hardrock Casino, had lunch and lost 5$ in the slots. Soon we head for New Orleans....

More photos of Cedar Key click here