Week 4 - part one-a French Quarter New Orleans

Friday -
We drove in to the RV park that is within walking distance of the French Quarter on Friday around noon.  What do you know?  It was pouring!! I got soaked just walking to the office to check in.  After resting up for a while, the skies cleared, and we were on our way.  My brother, Greg, recommended the Cajun Cabin, on Bourbon St.  The food was just what we expected.   Catfish Atchalafaya, Alligator Bites, Chicken and andouille Gumbo, babyback ribs with red beans and rice, Shrimp platter with huspuppies and coleslaw.  Every dish was absolutely delicious.  Tyler inhaled his gumbo.  We were just getting started, and he had already finished. 

 Saturday - We went over to Cafe DuMonde, which of course was packed, so went and had some krispy creme donuts instead.  We ate them while we took a carriage ride around the French Quarter.  Cafe DuMonde could wait until later in the day.

Parker with his grillled alligator on a stick at the Flea Market.

More rain...but isn't this balcony beautiful?

 We had lunch at the Gumbo Shop.

Emma loved that it looked like it was raining bubbles.

Tomorrow we're off to the Atchafalaya Basin!

Louisiana

Destrehan Plantation, built in 1787 in French Colonial style, remodeled to Greek revival in 1840.


We've only been to Louisiana twice, but it was so special that we are headed back there again this Summer.  The people we met were so friendly and open.  Almost like we were old friends.   One of our first stops was a seafood restaurant not too far from Lafayette, LA. that was recommended by a friend who was born and raised in the area.  We loved it!  We were able to try fried alligator, catfish, perfect shrimp, deep fried potatoes, and more.  I wish we had tried the crawfish, after we watched a boy about 6 years old finish off a huge plate, but not one of us was brave enough.  Maybe next time.

It was definitely worth the short side trip on our way to New Orleans.

THE ATCHAFALAYA EXPERIENCE
Our friend said we should try a swamp ride, and of course our boys thought that would be great.  We called and set up a time to go on a tour with The Atchafalaya Experience, a Father and son business near Lafayette.  What a fun day we had!  Our guide, Kim Voorhies,  was full of interesting stories.  Not only did he know about all of the birds and wildlife in this area, but he also shared one of his family's favorite vacation spots, the Florida Keys.  Maybe someday we'll make it there.

This covered boat saved our little darling from the hot August sun.

http://www.theatchafalayaexperience.com/

http://www.gumboshop.com/  THE GUMBO SHOP             

630 Saint Peter Street, New Orleans, LA - (504) 525-1486

 this was one of our favorite places to eat.     

 My son isn't normally cross-eyed, but was spicing up the picture after getting tired of Mom taking pictures all of the time.  The shrimp po' boy was a favorite, as well as the gumbo, of course.

Big brother, and baby sister, having fun, as usual.

 CAFE DU MONDE
     French Market, 800 Decatur Street, New Orleans, La, 70116
Open 24 hours a day, closed 6pm December 24, opens 6am December 26
504-525-4544  

Don't these look delicious?!

You'd think the boys were starving by the look on their faces.  Once the beignets were brought to the table, they were all smiles and powdered sugar.

I couldn't get those beignets out of her reach fast enough. 

This nice street performer asked our son to join in.

The end of a long fun day.

We loved the time we spent in New Orleans.  The beautiful, historic buildings, the food, and the people were wonderful.  We stayed at the Koa West, and rode into town in their air-conditioned van with a tour driver.  He came back at the end of the day to pick us up.  This was about the only way to see the French Quarter while traveling in a large RV.  It was a trip our family will never forget.

New Orleans West KOA Kampground 11129 Jefferson Highway, New Orleans, LA 70123 (504) 467-1792   (800) 562-5110
http://koa.com/campgrounds/new-orleans/

DESTREHAN PLANTATION 
13034 River Road, Destrehan, Louisiana 70047 (985) 764-9315
‎


 This was one of my favorite stops.  Okay, the boys stayed in the RV.  They weren't interested in any more History lessons from Mom.  We learned about the history of the home , and watched demonstrations of indigo dye-making.

The bookstore was full of interesting books, but I only bought one, the Picayune's Creole Cook Book.  It is one of my all-time favorite cookbooks.  "New Orleans Creole cookery blends a fantastic array of influences: Spanish spices, tropical fruits from Africa, native Choctaw Indian gumbos, and most of all, a panoply of French styles, from the haute cuisine of Paris to the hearty fare of Provence."
  It is filled with hundreds of Creole recipes, including "fine soups and gumbos, seafoods, all manner of meats, rice dishes and jambalayas, cakes and pastries, fruit drinks, French breads, and many other delectable dishes".  456 pages, 50 chapters, filled with amazing historical recipes. At least 20 recipes for fritters alone.  There are bavarian cremes, tea cakes, ice cream, punch, bonbons, pralines, sauces, cheese cake, breads, jams, cordials, fruit granits, candies, crystalized violets, crackers, compotes, canapes, cheese, dressings for salad, and every kind of vegetable and meat.  Some I'd rather not know about, like squirrel and frog.

This version (the 1901, which they say is the best), is available on Amazon.com for around $12.

Please share your favorite places in Louisiana.