Heading West to Go East

Day 19

Another wonderful day in Fort Spanish, Alabama. A quaint little berg in Southern Alabama. The homes are beautiful with manicured lawns and front porches. The one thing the world needs more of are front porches. Why? Because it allows you to sit outside and visit with neighbors as they walk by. I think that would allow for more positive conversations rather than social media pecking which creates way too much strife. I’ll jump down from my mini-soap box now and get back to business.

Went into town to a CVS for critical supplies, hand soap and hair bands. What couple can never have enough of these? Came back and walked the dogs, then jumped on our bikes, only to discover that Vicki’s battery hadn’t been charged. So we drove down to the redoubt to see a demonstration of Revolutionary Firearms. Met a couple from NC who were also waiting to see the experience. In chatting with them, discovered that we are talk of the campground with our front wheels being so high off the ground. (see pictures below) We’re not impressed as this is nothing to the height we were off the ground in Palm Springs a couple of years ago. We were all disappointed as the group demonstrating was a no show. No biggy, we simply drove home, had lunch and squeezed in a nap before 3.

With Vicki’s battery charged, we then took our bikes and rode out to the River. Beautiful ride that took us through the reconstructed original town of Blakeley Alabama. The ride also took us through what were the confederate lines of the Battle of Fort Blakeley. We also went out on the boardwalk as our pictures indicate. After returning home, watched a bit of Emmett’s game and will score it tomorrow. They played well the first game, even in defeat. The second game was late so will watch the retransmission tomorrow.

The only drawback to our stay here is the number of ticks. We have each pulled at least two ticks off us. Had forgetten what those pesky critters were like living in the PNW as we had. Fixed stir fry with pot stickers and then watched RuPaul’s Drag race until bedtime. Life is definitely laid back. Did I mention? We’re still loving retirement.

Day 22

We’ve arrived in New Orleans after an bit of an exciting drive from Alabama. We hit an infamous southern Thunderstorm. A serious toad strangler so much so that we even turned on the 4 way flashers as we proceeded I-10. Needless to say a bit uncomfortable when driving a 38′ coach with a TOAD. But we got through the storm and East New Orleans traffic and have landed at an awesome state campground where we’ll make our home for the next week. We spent yesterday and today resupplying and catching up with laundry as well as planning the next few days here in New Orleans. Our big points of emphasis are shopping in the French Quarter, Cafe Dumont for Benits and people watching, then see a plantation or two after taking a horse drawn carriage tour. Once those are done, I think we’ve fulfilled our bucket list of NOLA.

Restocked our pantry at a Winn Dixie and was mildly impressed. Not thrilled with the prices here if NOLA. But some of that may be due to city inflation. The state park we reside in has nice level sites it just lacks septic. Having a bit of an issue with our new TV system, but simply a 1st world problem. Still loving retirement.

Day 23

Got up to a much cooler NOLA. Low 60’s with a bit more wind then usual. Fixed French Toast on the flat top and then into NOLA for our first trip. Left hip replaced, now the right hip bothers me. Go figure! Walked through some of the french quarter and then to Cafe du Monde for Beinets and cafe aulatte. Soooo good and so fun people watching. Then walked down to the french market when Vicki bought a new purse which is both pretty and practical. Purchase a mufallata at the market, caught a street car back to the ferry dock and enjoyed a wonderful lunch back at the coach. Will look for a walking stick to see if that gets me farther down the road tomorrow. Still loving retirement.

Day 24

Not only do I have the greatest wife on the planet, but the stars aligned with an awesome opportunity. This morning, on a whim, I mentioned that since we’re in NOLA, let’s see if their rugby team is playing. So my wonderful wife used her super powers, jumped on the interwebs to check if NOLA was in town. Sure enough they are, but wait, there’s more. Not only are they in town, but they are playing the Seattle Seawolves!!!! Are you freakin’ kidding me!!! She then obtained mid field seats, so Sunday at 2:00 we’ll be watching our Seattle Seawolves take on NOLA. How cool is that?!? Together we hunt!!!!

Media

After breakfast we jumped into the car and drove to Algiers Point to catch the ferry back to downtown NOLA. Vicki secured an RTA pass for $1.60 for both of us for all day, all transit. Is my bride a magician, or what? Took the passenger ferry across the Mississippi. Then walked to the Streetcar stop to take a street car to Bourbon Street. Walked down Bourbon Street at 11:30 where it was all ready beginning to wake up. Had a wonderful lunch of Po Boys and Burgers at Cornets on the balcony. So fun enjoying a wonderful lunch while people watching on Bourbon Street along with listening to live music from a bar across the street.

We then took a 1 hour carriage ride around the French Quarter. While listening to the driver drone on about NOLA history, we found it much more pleasurable to enjoy the architecture while people watching. Just a bit of tip to the city of NOLA. FIX YOUR DAMN ROADS!!!!! We hit a couple of potholes that I think were the roofs of cars! Maybe that’s why NOLA has so many Zoombies.

Returned home and as we were pulling in, saw a couple struggling to park their huge 5th wheel. Since they were using our driveway to make the turn. We both got out and helped them get their rig parked. Took about 5 minutes to land them and they were very grateful. Always a good feeling when you can help. They were a bit frazzled as they had come from another section of the park where they had spent an hour trying to dock with no help from anyone, just gawkers. Had and easy supper of Spaghetti and meatballs and settled in for an evening of RuPaul’s Drag Race. Life is pretty good!! And by the way, did I mention? We’re still loving retirement.

Day 25

Another awesome day in the deep south of Louisiana. Started the day off as usual with a canine road march followed by a wonderful coffee, conversation, and interwebs session with my lovely bride. From there it was again working on our trip and discovering a scheduling snafu, but with a little teamwork and a couple of phone calls the situation was resolved. We also had tickets for a plantation walking tour, so prepped for that. Didn’t feel like cooking so made our obligatory trip to Waffle House. Was just as expected. The staff was friendly, it was just a bit eerie that we were the only customers. Granted it was 10:30 in the morning, but people still gotta eat. From there it was off to get some gas, find a post office and tour.

Whitney Plantation is a must see on any visit to New Orleans. It had a very profound impact on both of us. It was entirely presented from the slaves point of view. Man’s inhumanity to Man is remarkable. The tour had 14 stops. At each stop, many things were pointed out about life on the Whitney Sugar plantation. They spoke of the German rebellion of 1798 and the beheading of the slaves that were tried and executed. There were three enormous stone memorials with the names of all the enslaved Africans on the Whitney plantation. Another for all the children who had died on the plantation. The third was the 107,000 who were in bondage from 1720-1850 in Louisiana. The tour ended in the preserved church that was built by freed members of plantation. It was both beautiful, yet painful. I cannot imagine the pain these people endured. One thing is for sure, we both took away the thought process of, we cannot undo the past, but we can control the present while influencing the future for the good of all.

Up on the soap box. We have to recognize the US has a torrid past as well as great accomplishments. We need not rehash the past, but we do have recognize its existence. There was a great wrong to an entire class of people. We as a society must recognize that and while we cannot undo the past, we must look to somehow overcome it. How is that possible? How about just reaching out to all and try to understand where you come from and what history you came from. Take the time to truly listen. Begin to understand. It’s not going to happen over night, but with time, maybe, just maybe, we can begin to forgive and heal. Never forget mind you, we must learn from the past and teach it to our children so they learn not to repeat it. There our very ugly parts of our history that must be told, no matter how painful. Pain is temporary, legacy if forever.

Off the soap box. After the walking tour we returned home, exhausted. Mostly mental, but a little physical too. Vicki added to the ‘old woman’ collection with a piece from Whitney Plantation. A wonderful cast iron piece that will bring yet another story to her collection. Made a couple of wrong turns on the return trip, but eventually found our way home. Need to drop better bread crumbs so we can find our way home! Ended the night with a couple of episodes of Outlander before falling into bed. So another week in the books and did I mention? We’re still loving retirement!