Day 6

States visited: Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana

Sites seen: Highway, highway, and more highway. The French Quarter, Jackson Square, Tableau, and Preservation Hall.

Last night, the girls got to experience their first thunderstorm in a tent. There was a lot of yelling and screaming but they got through it! We packed up a very wet camp this morning and headed on to New Orleans. We couldn’t find a campsite here so we are enjoying the air conditioned hotel rooms for the next few nights!

Normally, on days we drive, we don’t make any plans. But we got here earlier than we thought, and the hour time difference bought us a little extra time, so we headed into the French Quarter to walk around and get dinner. This part of New Orleans is charming and old in a different way than Boston or Philadelphia. I’m not sure how to describe it.

We had a little time before our dinner reservation so we walked around Jackson Square. This is apparently the site of the Louisiana Purchase.

The girls saw their first freight train today (like not a subway or a passenger train) and were fascinated by how long they were. We got an up close look at one while we waited to cross and see the Mississippi River.

Dinner was at Tableau (Miss Mattie’s suggestion) and it did not disappoint. It was probably the girls’ first experience in “fancy dining” and the look on Miss A’s face when the waitress put her napkin in her lap for her was priceless. After the meal, the manager came by and asked if the girls wanted to go and scoop their own ice cream for dessert. This pretty much made their night. Josh and I had the creme brûlée and it is hands down the best I’ve ever had!

We ended the evening at Preservation Hall. This was, hands down my favorite part of the evening. Preservation Hall was established in 1961 to honor traditional New Orleans jazz. This is an intimate venue unlike anything I have experienced before. The girls were pleasantly surprised as well! Before the musicians come in they ask you to turn off all electronics as they would like to enjoy the experience with you- not your phones. I wish all concerts were like this one!

Tomorrow we will do some more touring, but for now, we are happily enjoying our air conditioned room.

Talk to you soon!

Deanna