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Southern Crawl

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  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Hey mom!

    October 24, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    Sauntering down Avenue Royale, we were stopped in our tracks by the Hobo Band playing on the corner of St. Peter and Royale. We hadn't stopped to actually listen to any of the musicians up to this point, but they were just GREAT! That held us at that spot just long enough to see a Dixie Land band marching down St. Peter toward us ... obviously in celebration of someone recently passed. As they passed by, they launched into a Dixie Land version of "I'll Fly Away" ... the very song my sisters and I sang at mom's memorial not 3 weeks ago.

    Hey mom!!! Glad you could join us.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Mr B's Bistro

    October 24, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 81 °F

    At the recommendation of our friend, Donna, in Atlanta we headed for Mr. B's Bistro for a seafood lunch. Gordon enjoyed his tomato goat cheese bisque followed by prawns in cajun red sauce with cheese grits. Heather started with a traditional gumbo and swooned over her soft shell crab with beans almondine and grilled lemon.

    We LOOKED at the dessert menu, but then waddled out without indulging further. We had been blessed so far with increasing clouds, mild temperatures, and gusty breezes ... very comfortable to our Northwestern sensibilities. But the wind was picking up so we decided to head back to camp.

    It was a wonderful end to a terrific day in New Orleans.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Hurricane Alley ...

    October 25, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 72 °F

    Having weathered hurricane Joaquin with a modicum of grace, we were certain we had left inclimate weather behind. We SAW hurricane Patricia headed toward Mexico, but hurricanes NEVER make it far across land. Right? By the time it hit here last night, it had been downgraded to a tropical depression, but it didn't seem depressed at ALL. It seemed QUITE active and purpose driven. We have had 4-1/3 inches of rain fall here since about 2:00 a.m. and it's still going strong.

    We don't mind, as we've been going strong without stopping for about the last 4 weeks. We have cozied into our little geezer-mobile with tea and snacks. We went out for coffee, groceries and a visit to a very nearby YMCA. We are back having happy hour, enjoying the break.

    But ok ... if we get to New Mexico and are met by ANOTHER hurricane, we are going to have to start asking some serious questions of a smore or less cosmic nature. I'm just sayin' ...    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Cafe Du Monde

    October 25, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 73 °F

    Our one disappointment in our activities yesterday was that the famous Cafe du Monde was plagued by lines around the corner. Heather wanted to share the experience of their signature beignets and chicory cafe au lait with Gordon, but it seemed a fools errand with the weather picking up.

    This morning during our browse fest, Heather found out that Cafe du Monde actually has some satellite cafes around town ... one very close to us! No crowds. Soft jazz playing. And the same melt-in-your-mouth powdered-sugar-drowned beignets warm from the fat accompanied by strong cafe au lait steeped with the bitter chicory root. Heaven.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Rain has finally ended!

    October 26, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    Well the rain finally stopped last night after an afternoon and evening of downpours and wind. There was even a tornado watch that upped our anxiety level for a while. The final total for the rain fall was 8.7 inches.

    The trailer did get a leak at the foot of the bed in the side seam where the sides fold down. We did not notice until the foot of the bed was very damp. But then we went into damage control for the next hour until the rain ended.

    We had towels and shirts and who knows what hanging up in the trailer over night trying to dry. But it has been so humid and wet, that every time one of us went out, we would come back wet and need to switch into a dry shirt.

    Heather had the brilliant idea to take the damp clothing over to the laundry room and stick it all into the dryer. So now everything is nice and dry again, except for the bed mattress which still has a damp spot.

    On to Lafayette today!    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    International Petroleum Museum

    October 26, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 72 °F

    and the International Petroleum Training Inst.

    We thought that we would stop by and take a look, but the road down to the museum was a two rut mud road so we stopped. But we did see the rigs that they do the training on.

    It was impressive to look at, but not nearly as impressive as the yard we passed on the way into town with 10 to 15 of these things of various sizes from big to GIGANTIC spread out all over. It must have been a repair yard, or a construction site or something.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Acadian Wetlands Cultural Center

    October 26, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 72 °F

    As we pulled into the Acadian Cultural Center Thibodaux, Louisiana it was still dark and rainy, though the torrential rains seemed to be behind us. We were greeted by a flock of some very odd looking ducks, who obviously had not been getting enough attention since we were the only folks visiting on such a gray day,

    But it was our good luck. We were greeted by our own personal ranger, Fred, who gave us a private tutorial on the geology and history of the entire Louisiana Delta region which was fascinating. We spent some time, then, visiting the exhibits on Cajun history and culture which were very well done.

    Wish I'd gotten a photo of Fred, who really made our visit exceptional.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Dinner & dancing at Randol's

    October 26, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 68 °F

    Lafayette, LA is in the heart of Cajun country, and we were interested in experiencing some local color. We hunted up one of the few places that was actually offering music on a Monday night, Randol's Seafood Restaurant.

    The restaurant was a casual family restaurant with a dance floor and stage. The menu offered many Cajun low-country specialties, and we took full advantage. Gordon ordered the crawfish etoufee, and Heather went for the fried shrimp with jambalaya, chased with a couple of cold local beers.

    The band was a Cajun band and quite fun to listen to. But the MOST fun was that EVERYONE and their brother, their kids and GRANDMA was out on the dance floor having a great time. It was not fancy, it was FRIENDLY. So friendly, even we worked our nerve up to take a turn.

    Hey ... turns out we can DANCE! We had a great time twirling and sashaying and making fools of ourselves. We realized afterward that it was really the first time we'd danced in public outside of classes. We might do it again.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Hey mom!

    October 27, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 66 °F

    Sitting at the Coffee Depot (On St Mary Street) when the Ukelele version of Over the Rainbow came on. We played that at mom's memorial. Coincidence? I think not.

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    New Iberia and the Bayou Teche

    October 27, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Heather was especially keen to drive through New Iberia as it is the setting of the Louisiana based novels of James Lee Burke. It's situated right on the Bayou Teche (Tesh), a long waterway running through the Mississippi Delta. It was a little disappointing as it was very waterway-y and not very swampy. But the landscape was interesting, covered with sugar cane fields and huge live oaks.

    We are still hunting for that typical Louisiana swamp locale. Perhaps we should have taken that swamp tour, but we couldn't face 2 hours in a little boat with the weather like it's been. The Wilson Nicoll Memorial "next time" activity.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Evangeline Oak

    October 27, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    Big old oak immortalized in Longfellow's poem, Evangeline. Gordon really wanted to see it because if it was big THEN, just think how big it would be NOW!!

    To get an idea how big it is, look for Gordon in the first photo. Then imagine how big the really big ones are because Gordon was disappointed at how puny it was. California redwoods have NOTHING on the live oaks in Southern Louisiana!!Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Entering Texas

    October 28, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Crossing the Sabine River into Texas. Gordon is excited because he's heard the stars are big and bright. He says you can even see them during the day. Probably.

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Nacodoches!

    October 28, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    No we didn't just sneeze. It bills itself as the oldest town in Texas. But we would have come just for the opportunity to say NACODOCHES!

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Rusk KOA and an oops

    October 28, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 66 °F

    Atop the highest hill in the county lies a new KOA. The sunset was a beautiful rose. I went and got the camera to catch the last deep colors. But the Heather said I wasn't getting the trailer in the picture. By the time I got to her the colors had faded to mere shadow of their former glory, but she took the picture anyway.

    And oops... While flossing I had a filling fall out of a tooth that had lost a corner a couple of days ago. I hope the tooth lasts until we get home or I'll have to get a temporary crown, or what ever dentist do in cases like this. Or perhaps I will just keep a sharp fang in preparation for Halloween.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    The Sloan Clan

    October 30, 2015 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 61 °F

    In a most fortuitous turn of events, we discovered that my long-neglected cousin Skip (Tod to the rest of the world) had moved back to the Dallas area so he and Celia could be close to their children and growing tribe of grandchildren. On very short notice, Celia and Skip gathered almost the whole clan for grilled steaks and salads. The only one I had ever met in person was Wendy, and she was about 3 months old at the time.

    Gordon and I had a wonderful time, and felt right at home amidst a raucus round of stories, laughter, and general catching up. Time got away, so it was practically dark when I thought to get a photo. But the images are emblazoned in my mind and I hope it will not be another 40 years before we see this lot again!    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    McKinney and Chestnut Square

    October 30, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Tod and Celia took us into McKinney to see the town and have lunch at Spoons. Excellent lunch! Heather had a BLTA and I had a grilled roast beef with horseradish and provolone. I forget what Tod and Celia had, but it looked good.

    Then Celia, Heather and I wandered around the shops surrounding the town square. McKinney is a lovely working historical town, with interesting shops and restaurants around their town square. Everyone was dressed up for Halloween, and Heather especially enjoyed ogling all the bling in the windows from bejeweled cowboy boots and red cowboy hats to quite exotic dresses with feathers and things.

    On the way home, we stopped at Chestnut Square, a small collection of restored homes from when the town was established. They were beautiful buildings that told a story of early Texas settlement.

    In the evening we went to Rudy's, which has the best BBQ in Texas! Skip ordered about 6 kinds of meats which they place in a big paper-lined box that you take to your looooong Family-style table. They give you a full loaf of bread (we opted for the wonder-bread style which is apparently required for proper enjoyment of Texas BBQ!). We grabbed a bunch of condiments, sat down at our square of butcher paper and chowed down! We felt we got a real Texan experience.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Ft Worth Stock Exchange

    October 31, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    Almost as an afterthought, Celia mentioned the historical Fort Worth Stock Exchange as a great place to visit. It was, indeed, fabulous! The stock exchange has roots in the 19th century and is still in use today. They maintain a small herd of longhorn cattle, and herd them down the brick street once a day for the tourists ... that's US. The little museum was interesting, the old building reeked of history, and the cattle were fearsome. Gordon enjoyed schmoozing with the wrangler before the "cattle run" (more like a cattle stroll).

    Before heading south through the still gray weather, we decided to fortify ourselves. Finding no interesting restaurants in the vicinity we prowled the tourist shops on-site. We noticed someone eating something that did not appear to be on the otherwise ordinary, tourist shop style menu. It was the seasonal brisket stew ... and was it DELICIOUS! Savory, aromatic, loaded with vegetables as well as tender meat, and only $6. We split a bowl, and waddled contentedly across the antique brick street to our car and headed south.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Buc ees

    October 31, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    They do everything bigger in Texas, and apparently that goes for the truck stops as well. If you thought those Loves and Pilots were big ... you ain't seen NUTHIN!

    Again, at Celia's recommendation we took in this bit of Texania. The restrooms were palatial. The gee-gaws covered about a square mile (seemed like). And the menu was a particularly Texan brand of road-stop fast food.Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Austin KOA

    October 31, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 68 °F

    Nothing special but a fine place to spend the night after a great day playing tourist and driving through hill country.

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Johnson City

    November 1, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F

    Birthplace of Lyndon B, named after his grand something or other. Cute town. Old limestone buildings, artsy shops. Don't know why we tore through it so fast!

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    San Antonio KOA

    November 1, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 72 °F

    Took a day to rest up. Heather had a return of the allergies we thought we'd left behind in Louisiana. Thank goodness for Singulair, but it takes a couple of days to kick in.

    At least the sun has made an appearance. We and the geezer mobile are starting to dry out.

    Gordon took advantage of down time to do a bit of laundry. He was pining for Laurie and John's high capacity machine.

    He also got two new tires for the trailer. One was not just worn, but the tread was starting to separate from the core.    Read more

  • Geezers in ParadiseSouthern CrawlTraveler

    Breakfast on the River Walk

    November 3, 2015 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    Heck, we were just looking for coffee, but none was to be had!! We decided to splurge at Los Canarios restaurants right on the River Walk. Still early enough to be peaceful and shady. We enjoyed the local wildlife as well, including a sparrow who enjoyed picking at a previous diner's dropped home fry, and a bumble bee who took a swim in Heather's coffee.

    Gordon had the standard eggs and B. Heather went all out with creme brulee french toast, which came slathered with bananas foster, fresh fruit, candied pecans, and a honkin' giant scoop of thick whipped cream.

    Content and restored, we waddled off to see the Alamo.    Read more

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