Blog 2 New Mexico to New Orleans

Well, from Tombstone, we aimed our 60 feet of rolling thunder east toward New Mexico. Stopping in Demming, we found an RV park with the slogan, “where the singles come to mingle”. Well, who could pass that up? Not us! But by the time we got there, apparently everyone had hooked up, cuz the place was as quiet as a church on Monday.

From Demming, we stopped at a rest stop in Las Cruces and helped decorate a local piece of art with our personal artifacts. (see pics) This giant Roadrunner sculpture was made entirely from a myriad of items, cast-0ffs, running shoes and flip-flops and non-working junk. Way cool. Countless people have added to it, and signed their pieces. So, we followed suit with a backscratcher and a non-working remote control! We are now immortalized at the rest stop in Las Cruces, if you ever pass through eastbound, look for our trinkets under the right and left wings!

“The stars at night are big and bright” . . . .(c’mon, sing it!). We made it to the Alamo. Remember the Alamo? Well, touring the Alamo, and reading the story of the heroic efforts of those inside the fort, and then reading the story behind the battle, I have come to the conclusion that Santa Anna was completely misunderstood. He was merely a disgruntled landlord trying to get his property back from squatters! (LOL) OK, had to represent, being of Mexican descent. We toured the River Walk area, and stopped in at a great place called “Dick’s Last Resort”. This place has the rudest servers you can encounter! But that is the point. If you haven’t been to Dick’s, the goal of the waiters is to be impatient and rude from the beginning, and then bring the “fun” for the rest of your experience. Abuse is the word of the day there. (see pics)

From San Antonio, we decided to head directly to New Orleans, because we were running out of time to get to Florida. How many of you watched the Royal Wedding? Well, I was ready to get up and start driving. But nooooooo! We had to sit and watch the wedding!! William and Kate owe me a day of driving!! But it was a site to behold, having an English wife, I have to show my loyalty.

New Orleans is a great place, it has recovered, but not completely, from the Katrina disaster. We toured the St. Bernard Parish, many properties are still boarded up, torn down or just abandoned. Even though the neighbors who survived have stayed, some neighborhoods are peppered with residents. Very strange driving around these areas. Clearly there is still neglect going on in the progress department.

Touring Downtown NOLA (New Orleans, Louisiana) was a spark for great memories from the past as well. We first came here in 1989 with our kids ages 9 and 11. Now we were here with our daughter and her husband! Wow, never thought I would be out partying all night with my own kids, but what a blast!!! All I can say is, “Hand Grenade” is a very aptly named drink. “Kaboom”!!! We were dancing and singing along in a club when we heard that they had gotten Osama Bin Laden. I will always remember where we were when we heard that news.

We also rode the St. Charles streetcar from end to end. These are the ancient, yet, still running, public transportation cars that run for the benefit of the locals and tourists alike. So great to see that they survived the Katrina onslaught. Now if only the rest of Louisiana could come back to the days of yore. The beautiful view of the southern style architecture and the old houses that are still standing was a special treat. Add to that the multitude of trees lining the street adorned with beads caught in the branches, resulting from the recent Mardi Gras celebrations.

Today, though, I heard that there is a chance of the Mighty Mississippi overflowing its banks yet again! Those poor folks can’t seem to catch a break! All in all, New Orleans is a place you must all visit and spend a few days exploring. The music, the food and the ambiance are like nowhere else. Now, on to Florida. (SEE PICS HERE)