On a previous blog we learned the journey our friend Terri, Mitzi and their pet MaeMae started back in December 2016. They started in New England making stops at National Landmarks heading to their final destination Arizona, USA. Being RV aficionados they are traveling on a Forest River Class C Sunseeker hauling a 2007 Honda Element named Elliot. For many of us looking forward to retirement and looking for the opportunity to find “fun around the corner,” our friends are certainly are pioneering the route we may someday take in our travels. As we read and enjoy their stories we encourage you to send your very own stories in which you found Fun Around the Corner, whether you went camping, RVing, or a simple trip to one of the beautiful places America has to offer. In the mean time let’s read about Terri, Mitzi and MaeMae …. Enjoy!!!
Terri writes …….. Florida was a great welcome home for us with a planned stay of three weeks. We arrived on the 29th in time to spend the New Year with family again. After a great dinner at home we sat around the fire, by the pool. We didn’t expect it when the neighborhood came alive with fireworks around 11:00 pm with a show that lasted til about 12:30. On a two day trip to Cape Coral we drove to Sanibel Island and spent a day touring the Ding Darling bird sanctuary. Gorgeous! We were able to identify Sandhill Cranes, great Blue Herons, egrets, Roseate Spoonbill, Pelicans, Anhingas, Sandpipers, Turtles and absolutely incredible nature views.
Finally, on the 18th of January, we headed west on highway 10. What a great road! Easy, little traffic and an absolute pleasure to drive. With a quick skid through Alabama, it took a day and a half to get to Biloxi, Mississippi. We chose Biloxi because we had rain in the forecast for the next couple of days. Seemed like a good idea to hunker down by the gulf shore and visit the casino for a few hours. Boomtown sounded like a fun place to hang out at on a rainy day so we reserved a site which was just across the street. The casino was small and fun. It sported an old “Boomtown” theme with wagons, Cowboys and tons of charm. It was also most hospitable since I walked away with about $447.00 in winnings. It paid for a great steak dinner for two and gave us great memories.
Onward to New Orleans Louisiana after leaving Biloxi with full pockets and big smiles. We had made reservations in advance so we arrived in New Orleans expecting to quietly settle in to a lovely site that we had viewed online prior to booking. Pelican RV was not as expected….OMG…all I could think of was well, if we stay here we get to sit around the dumpster in the evenings after a day of exploring. With that thought, we decided to move on and fight for a refund later. It felt very unsafe besides unsavory.
We called the Riverboat RV Park just down the road apiece without any improvement. Actually, at Riverboat we were met at the entrance by the Orkin Man and a rather mature Street Hostess. Standing by was a slew of ornery cats that refused to move from the center of the road for a six ton motorhome. They gave us defiant stares and dared us to come any closer. We drove around them without so much as a look back at us as we passed. Fearing for own little kitty, MaeMae, this again, seemed like a place to leave in our dust. Fortunately, just over the bridge about 41/2 miles from the French Quarter we discovered Pontchartrain Landing. The young manager was lovely and although the rates were higher she offered us a third night for an extra $39.00. We took the deal and loved it. The RV park is nestled beside a working marina which made the surrounding very comfortable. The environmental care in the design of the park was outstanding. We noticed that there several options for renting small suites which were actually constructed from old shipping containers. The thought put into the use of recycled materials and sound environmental planning was both refreshing and attractive.
Needless to say once we settled in, we stayed close to home for that evening and enjoyed our surroundings. The next day we unhitched Elliott and made our way to the adventures of the famous French Quarter. Like all good tourists we ate at the French Market, muffalattas and dirty rice, beignets and lattes at Cafe Du Monde and then drinks on Bourbon Street. Mitzi tried something called Voodoo Sauce much to her regret. Priding herself on a flair for hot and spicy things she was outdone. For hours I was subjected to questions about whether or not her lips were still swollen from the stuff. We ended the day with a visit to a cemetery so Mitzi could see how folks are laid to rest in mosques above ground because of the sea level tables.
Later that night we discovered that New Orleans and surrounding areas were under a tornado watch. Shake, rattle and roll took on a new meaning for us for the next two nights and poor MaeMae tried hopelessly to figure out what was going on. The howling was jolting at times and I swear she had bags under her little eyes for two days after. We headed into downtown New Orleans on Sunday for a few hours at the WW ll Museum which was totally worth the trip. Profoundly inspiring! At Rayleen’s suggestion we scooted over to the Ruby Slipper for a late lunch and again, so worth the trip. Food was great and the service was just as good. Mitzi is a big fan of Anne Rice so we drove to see her home located on the outskirts of the French Quarter before dropping by Harrahs casino to watch the Patriots game. I played penny slots for an hour or so and left with another $147.00 win! Since our RV Park also had a great restaurant we went back for some exquisite pulled pork nachos, red beans and rice and fried oysters. Oh and $5.00 special ice cream sundae daiquiri was unbelievable!
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