Sunday - October 29

Traveled 216 miles today from Boyce to New Orleans West KOA Campground in River Ridge

 (12 miles from the French Quarter).   Another pretty day but still on the cool side (63).

After we got settled, I talked to the lady in the office about where to go and kind of mapped out the next 2 1/2 days.   And so we were off to the French Quarter...

Coming into downtown....Superdome (Saints were beating the Bears as we drove by) on the right

So our first visit to NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) and what an experience......not the best 1st impression as after finding a parking lot, the meter would not take our credit card(s) or cash???    Finally, after moving to 3rd lot, we were good to go.    Sooo many people out and about this beautiful day and many in costume for Halloween with lots of fall and ghoulish décor.     It was definitely a "younger" crowd and apparently can drink on the streets as many had their alcoholic beverages and smoking on the streets and sidewalks.   Maybe they were celebrating their Saints victory?   Several of the streets were really nasty, too with trash and litter.    Only a very few small children in strollers; otherwise, no kiddies (not a place for them) but plenty of dogs. 
Cannot imagine what Mardi Gras must be like???

 St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square - locked!!!

Interesting house décor just a block from all the crowds

Pretty décor for fall

Love all this architecture and wrought iron

We shared the required Muffaletta sandwich (the original at Central Grocery) - very delicious and 1st time for Mark to have one of these.    Then we walked to Café DuMonde for coffee/hot chocolate and beignets (French donuts covered in powered sugar and nice 'n hot).     Again....all yummy!

Delicious beignets

We walked all around Jackson Square and all the artists were painting away and musicians entertaining the crowds.    We had wanted to go inside St. Louis Cathedral, but all tightly locked up!

Some of the bars....Pat O'Brien's and Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop (oldest bar in New Orleans) had long lines waiting to get in.

We spent almost 3 hours in the French Quarter and then ready to head back to Daisy.  

Tomorrow....more sightseeing and good eating coming up!

Maeve, Luke and Mommy are visiting friends in Georgia for a few days (Daddy is working in FL).    Here they are watching Mr. Jeff carve pumpkins (by drilling??) as Maeve, Luke, Taylor and Maddie watch).    Missing little Jack. 

 Maeve is all bundled up in Georgia near the fire