We left Montgomery for New Orleans but had to make an unplanned stop on the way. We took a bit longer than normal, not leaving the campgrounds until 1 or so. We did some black tank rinsing, regular maintenance not issue related; I’ll spare the details. And Chris had work to attend to that couldn’t be done while on the road. As a result, we didn’t get past the MS line before dark and then it started raining and then the wind picked up quite a bit. It had been a long day and driving was just no longer feeling good, so we pulled into a little campground called Magic River RV Resort. I could almost hear the banjos playing through the trees. Needless to say, we slept, woke, and left! LOL!! It was the fastest we have ever broken camp.

Once back on the road, we made good time to the French Quarter RV Resort. It is a lovely spot. Brick paved, nice and clean bathhouse and laundry facilities. We all had wonderful showers!! It was nice & tidy!! And it was right next to the interstate. And our site was at the bottom of a bill board. It is a freakin’ trip!! I was the only person not bothered by the noise. Growing up in Northwest Park worked in my favor yet again.

We missed the first day exploring because the rain we encountered the night before continued. Boo. But it was nice to take some time to relax a bit. And it also helped us feel less sad about having to stop and sleep on the way, even if we woke up in NOLA the rain still would’ve kept us inside.

The next morning, Saturday, we woke to no rain and plans to meet my friend, Brittney, and her sons, Ej and Eli, at Cafe du Monde. (I’ve known Brittney for like 13 years but have never seen her in person until now!! I was so excited!!) I went to the wrong one. Maybe my excitement clouded my brain. I didn’t realize there was more than one. When I looked for it on Google Maps, it was the only one in the view…But that was because the one I found was only a 7 minute bike ride from the campground so the view wasn’t expanded, or I would’ve seen others! Luckily, Brittney forgave me and came to the location where we had biked. It ended up working out well. The one I accidentally picked happened to be the original. Yay! And it was right across the way from Jackson Square and St. Louis Cathedral. We had our beignets and café au lait on a bench in the square, the kids ran around racing each other and then started talking. We decided to take a little walk and ran into one of the best street performances I’ve ever seen between the square and the cathedral. We all had a blast! The street performers were very talented. Sometimes showing up at the wrong place works out, I’m so glad this was one of those times.

We headed back to camp and Brittney to home. We needed to have a nice walk for Callie and put the bikes away. Our next stop would take us into evening hours and I didn’t want to bike through the French Quarter in the dark. Every time we walk Callie, upon our return to the campsite, she goes directly to the truck and wants to get in. I think she wants to go home. I think she misses her yard and the neighbors she sees walking every day. She is, however, getting more walks and family time than usual at home. We are very conscious of her being alone too long…and Chris is very conscious of getting his work done, both of them are accommodated simultaneously; the kids and I add walks to keep her not just in company but also without excess energy.

On our bike ride back to camp, we rode right up to a jazz funeral procession!! We brought up the rear, next to the police escort, for two blocks. It was like something from a movie! When we were planning this, Chris said, “Wouldn’t it be something if we got to see a funeral march while there. That is a sight I’d really like to see.” And WE DID! Luck has been our friend several times during this adventure.

We walked back to the heart of the French Quarter to attend a performance by Leroy Jones and the Preservation Jazz Masters at Preservation Hall. It was fabulous! The kids and I were mesmerized by watching the band play traditional NOLA jazz. Chris was in seventh heaven, he fell in love with jazz as a teen. I am so glad that we listened to the docent at the Zelda & F. Scott Fitzgerald museum who recommended this spot to us! What a memory; we will all keep it and cherish it.

The biking and walking and music left us famished. All I wanted was a Bananas Foster!! We grabbed some slices of pizza from Fat Guy’s Pizza. Brooklyn style ‘za in NOLA, perfection. It was just enough, but not too much⎯still room for desert. We walked down to the Palace Cafe. Bananas Foster!! And they prepared it table side, so we got to see the magic come together and the flambé flourish!! Writing about it makes me want to go back and have another right now.

We then hopped onto a street car to chop off a few blocks from the walk back to camp. The kids loved that! It was a beautiful day followed by a gorgeous evening, full of fun and excitement and music and laughter. I wish every day was as glorious, but I guess I wouldn’t appreciate that glory if it was commonplace.

Today we left NOLA and arrived at Jackson, MS. We are here for one night and then off to Southaven, MS, just south of Memphis. Renovation stop. I hope we have all the good luck for that!!

We all want to come back this way again. I’m thinking another adventure will be coming our way, with more time in NOLA. 😎

St. Louis Cathedral and Jackson Square.