A day in the park

A day in the park was the order of the day after we had a country breakfast at the Country Breakfast in Mandeville. Fontainebleau Plantation was the summer home of Barnard de Marigny, a prominent French Creole of New Orleans. It was part of vast holdings he owned on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. Between 1828 and 1852 he opened the plantation, brick kilns, and a sugar mill. This is all that remains of his sugar mill.
A bike ride took us to the shore of Lake Pontchartrain and the beach area in the park. In the distance we could see the 24 mile causeway that we had taken to New Orleans.
A stroll along the nature trail led us to a boardwalk out over the marsh along the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. We saw lots of birds, moorhens (look like ducks), and an otter perhaps swimming along.



The alley of live oaks intrigued me for their majestic beauty. Hurricane Katrina was not kind to this park but many of these giants survived. There were baby owls in the crook of the solemn oak.

New Orleans, La

The rain subsided ahead of the scheduled forecast and across the 24 mile bridge over Lake Pontchartrain we drove. It is the longest overwater highway bridge and for 8 miles you can't see the land. We found our way through the Garden District of large old homes and down to the French Quarter. The Garden District gets its name from the lush garden estates in what was primarily the American section of town in the days of sugar and cotton empires and antebellum plantations. The French founded the 90 block area known as Vieux Carre or the French Quarter which is the heart of the city. The architecture in the area is however Spanish as in 1762 France ceded the city to Spain. We had time for a nice lunch at Chartres House Cafe while sitting on the balcony overlooking the busy streets below. The gumbo was good but the crawfish cakes were exceptional.


The Krewe of Carrollton was organized in 1933 and is the fourth oldest parading krewe. They entertained us royally on Canal Street.

We then hurried down Royal Street among the throngs of people to catch most of the Barkus parade. The Mystic Krewe of Barkus was very well attended. The theme for this year's parade was Bat Mutt and The Bark Knight! There were some clever batmobiles in keeping with the theme. Anyone can pay to walk in this parade and the money is donated to charity.

The Slumdog Millionaire was mighty cute and ranked as one of our favorites.

We strolled past the artists that surround Jackson Square and over to Cafe du Monde where we visited with a couple from England while having our beignets and coffee.

We decided it was difficult to see the city with the crowds of people and that we would return another day, so we meandered along the river back to the parking lot. It was a good thing we left at 4 as it took over 45 minutes to get back to I10.

Covington, La

Saturday was a good day to explore Covington. We located the art market on Lee Lane and found ourselves in a district of old homes in the downtown area. We parked in an ox lot, a central area for multiple use which was located in the center of each block when the town was laid out. Certainly it was not designed with parked cars in mind! It turned out to be a good spot to be until the parade was over.


We walked around town and went to the old H. J. Smith & Sons Country Store & Museum but only to find it closed on Saturday afternoon. It has been in operation by the Smith family since 1876.


We toured the parking lot where the floats were lining up for the parade and then after supper we set out our chairs on Boston Street and enjoyed a 6 pm parade - the Krewe of Olympia, a 260 member krewe founded by north shore businessmen in 1965. We took our treasures, headed south, and called it a fine day.

Abita Springs, La

We awoke to rain but it stopped and left an overcast warm day in which to explore the neighborhood. Abita Springs is a tiny cute old town about 30 minutes north of the campground. There is great architecture and we enjoyed walking around the town looking at the quaint old homes. The parade was called push mow but anything went. Some did use riding mowers to pull their floats.

As early as 1896 the artesian spring water in Abita Springs was bottled. The town became a popular summer resort for New Orleans residents early in the 20th century. The pure water led to the Abita Springs Brewery being founded here. We had lunch at the original brewery, which is now Abita Brew Pub. While we were eating we were entertained by a bagpipe band that had performed in the parade.

After lunch we toured the Abita Springs Brewery where we found lots of college aged students visiting and drinking free beer for an hour. I could only wonder how many times some of them have taken the tour.

Mandeville, La

We went early to check out the area for the Krewe of Eve parade which was to be our first in the area. All the floats were ready and the krewe was gathering. The parade also included many marching bands and some beautiful horses. I couldn't understand why the horses preceded the bands!

I faired quite well. Don't I look fat? So far I have only indulged in a muffaletta with fried oysters. The jacket was perfect for holding all my stuffed toys.

Leon finally got the hang of it and did alright himself at his first Mardi Gras parade. We drove over early and had a picnic in the truck after we secured a good parking spot.

Fontainebleau State Park, La

We are settled in a lovely spot and quite surprised to have wifi! We got a late start yesterday and arrived here about 7 with Leon complaining that he had to drive after dark, but he did a fine job thanks to my help! It looks like our evening Mardi Gras parade in Mandeville might get rained out today. But there will be plenty more.

Galveston, Texas

A sunny 73 degree day was perfect for the 2 hour drive to Galveston. This time we made it all the way in the rental car. We spent some time exploring the Offut Bayou area near Broadway and 61st Street which had a tremendous amount of destruction from Hurricane Ike. The boat is sitting in what was once a mobile home park.

We also drove along the harbor and down to the Strand, an older area of Galveston that has been rejuvenated. Trucks were busy along the seawall bringing in loads of sand to rebuild the beach. While they worked we had my day late seafood birthday lunch overlooking the damaged Flagship Hotel and gulf at Fish Tales.



We retrieved the truck in Santa Fe, turned in the rental, and drove two hours north to Livingston. It was time to go eat gumbo and fried oysters to celebrate Marion's birthday. We have enjoyed a good visit with Marion and Don. Tomorrow we will head back to the dead end.

Livingston, Texas

We are spending a few days at the Escapees Campground, which is Leon's legal home, and his first time to "come home."

About 6 miles away lives our friend Marion and we enjoyed visiting at her new place. She has ten lovely acres and the place is a work in progress.

Don has driven up from Houston as Marion, Don, and I have birthdays within 8 days of each other so this is our birthday visit.

Leon, Don, and I drove through Houston yesterday and a few miles south the truck decided to stop. We spent most of the afternoon visiting with Don in Hardy Auto Repair's parking lot in Santa Fe but it was a warm sunny day and we had a great visit. Who knew the sending unit was cracked? The rental car brought us back north up 146. A birthday to remember for sure! Thank goodness we didn't break down in Houston!

The Fat Blob

We met this fat blob while we were visiting family in Austin, Texas last week. In just 3 hours you can have you own fat blob! Actually he is the subject of a new game for xbox, The Maw, and at 12:01 the game can be downloaded from Xbox Live Arcade for a mere $10. He was created by my someday-to-be nephew and his team at Twisted Pixel. So if you have an xbox be sure to get your blob soon! You will be glad you did. If you want to know more first then you can see what the maw is all about!

Hill Country of Texas

On Day 8 we rested! We did go to Sattler to use the wifi at the little library and then into New Braunfels for German food at Oma's Haus. It did not seem right to spend so much time in a community with a German heritage and not sample the food!

On Day 9 we went into New Braunfels to see Clint Eastwood in Gran Torino and what a grand movie it is! We recommend it.

On Day 10 we took the backroads crossing the Devil's Backbone, a scenic section of route 32, through Wimberly and Dripping Springs into Austin. We had a delicious home cooked meal with Sean and Kelly. We then visited the Apple Store in Barton Springs Mall (there must have been 100 people!), a bike shop, and McKinney Falls State Park. We took scenic winding backroads back to the campground and again got home at dark thirty. It was amazing to see so many neighborhoods springing up south of Austin on tiny two lane roads. Thank goodness for the gps!

Sunday began with an excellent breakfast at Stu and Joanne's in their new rig.

We drove over to Canyon Lake Dam for a walk alongside the Guadalupe. What a peaceful place. Joanne and I visited about midway down the trail and watched kids come downstream in kayaks.

Stu and Leon returned after hiking the rest of the 2 1/2 mile trail.

We had to go to Walgreens in New Braunfels so we had a small lunch at the Smokehouse. The potato soup was excellent. After Leon worked on the electricity in the trailer we went back to Stu and Joanne's for a nice visit and supper. We hated to head out of the hill country the next day as there was so much still to do but it was time to move on.

Fredericksburg, Luckenbach, Texas

We are behind schedule! I had told Leon that on the the 7th day we would rest but due to the weather we will have to wait a day. After 28 at night a 66 degree forecast called for another day trip - west this time.

Fredericksburg was once the edge of the frontier and home to German pioneers who had to worry about the Comanche Indians. Now it is a tourist's delight with good German food and antique shops. We thought we should detour through Austin and fetch Kelly for the day. After we all ate lunch Sean had to go on to work.

As you head east on Main Street starting at Adams Street the first letter of each street name spells "all welcome." Going west on Main Street from Adams and they spell "come back." Who knew?

The National Museum of the Pacific War was Leon's priority. This once was the Nimitz Museum named for Admiral Chester Nimitz, a most famous resident, who was Commander in Chief of the Pacific in WW II. Kelly and I strolled the shops and streets while Leon was at the musueum
Kelly is taking to being a Texan quite well. Notice that cowhide foot rest!




A western music fan doesn't resist a stop a few miles from Fredericksburg at Luckenbach, the place made famous by Waylon Jennings in his song. The town was founded in 1852 by the Luckenbachs and the brothers opened a post office which they called South Grape Creek. The name was later changed to Luckenbach.


The post office is still in the general store.



The bar is in the back of the general store. We did not have a designated driver so we did not stay and listen to the music. You could sure tell who was local and who was visiting.


The dance hall holds dances monthly, usually on Saturday night. It did not look like much of a vegetarian menu is offered.

This is my first glimpse of a wreath made from cactus. It is quite attractive.

We dropped Kelly off, used her internet connection, and got back to the campground before they locked the gate at 10. Now we can look forward to a day of rest!

Sattler, Seguin, Luling, Gonzales, Texas

Our day started with these weird ducks in our yard. No idea what they are.

We have spent the morning in the truck in the parking lot of the Sattler Library. We took the backroads over and stopped at the dam overlook for a morning view of Canyon Lake. Now it is off for another day of adventures in the hill country. We might have to stop in Gruene for lunch!



Later: Well we did stop at Adobe Verde in Gruene, a nice little Mexican restaurant, and then a quick stop and shop at the general store.

Seguin was not on our planned route for the day but we stopped there when I saw they had a statue of a pecan on the courthouse lawn! They are noted as "The Mother of Concrete Cities" as a local chemist held several conrete production patents, which explains why they used concrete in more than 90 area buildings by the end of the 19th century. I am not impressed by concrete buildings. I prefer "home of the largest pecan."

But we did wander down to Starcke Park on the Guadelupe and found a nice place with roaring river rapids for Leon to have a nap. I reminisced about the kayak float I had with the WINs on the Guadelupe.




One of Texas' most historic cities is Gonzales. This is the "Come and Take It" town which houses a famous little cannon.We loved wandering around town looking for the Memorial Museum as we passed many old large homes. The citizens received a small brass cannon from the Mexican government in 1831 for protection from the Indians. Four years later when relations between Mexico and Texas turned sour more than 100 Mexican soldiers staged a battle to retrieve the cannon. The townspeople sewed the first battle flag of Texas which included a picture of the cannon and the words "Come and Take It." The Texans fired a shot and the Mexicans retreated. The confrontation was short it but played a big role in Texas' fight for freedom.

We also visited the Old Jail built in 1887 and used until 1975. It was a cold place where I would not want to stay. Included was a reproduction of the gallows that held the last hanging in 1921.
We found our way over to Greg's coffee and computer shop on the square and enjoyed a caffeine boost. Wifi was available but it was getting late and we were far from home.



Oil was discovered in Luling in 1922 and the fields still pump the "black gold." There are 184 wells within the city limits. The local folks got creative with some of the pump jacks and later the Chamber of Commerce commissioned an artist to transform some of them into moving sculptures. We were disappointed that many needed painting and weren't pumping.

Again we arrived home at dark. What a day!