Great Day in New Orleans

We just came back from downtown New Orleans.  I thought that this campground was on the bus line into the city, but instead it has a shuttle.  I may have mentioned that before.  Anyways, we took the early shuttle into the city (at 10:00) and returned on the last shuttle at 8:00.  Went on the Hurricane Katrina/City Tour this morning and the Cocktail Walking tour.  Both were great fun.  But, while on the shuttle bus into the city, and while waiting for the bus tour this morning, we found ourselves chatting with lots of other people.  Of course, 'Where are you from?" is the first question and I have found myself saying we are from Portsmouth.  Well one guy was stationed at Pease and another drove through Portsmouth to go Motorcycle week at the Weirs.  Another couple were from British Columbia who participating in the conversation.  I told the guy who had been stationed at Pease, that he went by my old house when he went out the back gate of Pease!.  Then the conversation went to where everyone had been, and have you been to Alaska.  Several folks had and one couple had had tour guides from Portsmouth.  For anyone who has worked on the Shipyard for a number of years, does the name George Haskell ring a bell?  His wife is Cindy Haskell and I remember them from Portsmouth!  The world is getting so small!  Then the woman from British Columbia told the folks who had been to Alaska that they had all been by her house as she lives at mile marker 50 on the Alaskan Highway-so Russ knew where that was.  It was just such fun to all have a connection of sorts. 
Back to the tour of the City-it was an extremely interesting tour with a native New Orlean.  She had lived through Katrina and was very vocal as to what caused the damage, and we saw alot of it.  Also saw alot of the repairs that had been made.  She talked non-stop for 2.5 hours and gave 5 hours of information.  We even got to walk through one of the cemeteries while on the tour, and had her describe the 're-cycling' process that occurs.  I won't go into detail, but it was extremely interesting. 
     Then we went on the walking cocktail tour.  Another good choice.  It wasn't exactly what we thought it would be, but so much more.  The tour guide was a retired high school English teacher, who actually developed the tour.  I think he must have spent alot of time drinking in a bunch of bars after retirment.  No problem with that!!  Well, we went into four bars while on our walk.  Oh, and in NO you can walk on the streets with a drink as long as it is in a 'to go' cup.  Each of these bars/restaurants have a history and a special drink so we were able to order them.  Fortunately, Russ and I shared.  In one of these restaurants, we were able to go into dining rooms which the public are not generally allowed into.  Our guide, Joe, has written a book with the history on these sites as well as the 'recipes' for these drinks, so of course we had to buy one.  Of course we will be using it once we get home! 
So that's it for now, but should anyone want to spent time in New Orleans, let us know.  We had a great time, but NO would be a great place to share with friends.
Tomorrow we plan on visiting a rum disillery and a plantation.  Friday, I'm not sure what we will do, but I bet we will go back into the city.
Talk to you soon-love-linda

Tuesday 1/17 New Orleans

Hi All,

 we drove from Hellena(hell-eee-na) AL to New orleans today. Good trip, not so good fuel, but we made it and have refilled the truck and things are running good. We are right on the tip of lake Pontchartrain in a nice rv park. It's about 5 miles to the French Quarter and we have made reservations to take the shuttle into town at 10am and do two tours. the first being a tour of the city, encluding the cemetarys, the French Quarter, Katrinia destrucction, and more. the second is the original cocktail walking tour that includes a trip though alot to "establishments" and some samplings. We figured that it would be good to get some info about the city before spending time on our own on Thursday and Friday.  We went to the parks Pizza bar tonite and met some really nice folks form here and other travellers. It was fun. the weather has been in the 80's today and at 6:30 it's still 70 degrees outside.  The Hibiscus right outdide our door has some blossoms on it and looks nice.   we are having fun and enjoying each others company. It would be horrible if we didn't get along, that being connected at the hip most of the day.  I will try and attach some pictures but please be patient as I haven't done this in a year.  Hope you are all doing well and enjoying the winter whereever you are.  I might not get to the blog tomorrow nite, as it looks like a long day of "RETIREMENT" with all our plans. 10AM to 9PM and alot will be walking.   My wonderful co - pilot, navagator, wife and playmate may have more to add, so I'll close my ramblings by saying " TAKE ONE FOR THE GIPPER. 
Nothing much to add but we not only have trains in the distance, but are under the flight line for an airport.  Don't think its a major airport, but just some flights every now and then.  We also have some Mexican/hispanic neighbors across the way, who have just finished dinner and are quiet now.  Think we might pick up some spanish.  Its great to be able to sit with the door open, and get out the sneaker socks.  We are looking forward to the tours tomorrow and being on our on for the next two days.  We are catching onto the accents, as well as their catching on to ours (not mine, Russ's).  It will be an early night as we have lots to see tomorrow.  I just love being able to do all of this with my best buddy and friend-who also happens to be my husband.  We are both very fortunate.  Love to all-talk to you later.

Birmingham, AL

Its now Monday, and we are in Birmingham, AL.  Traveled here from Sweetwater, TN, with plans to get to the Civil Rights Museum in town on the way down, but Tom Lent texted me and made suggested of where to go.  So we stopped at the Barber Motorsports Parkway in Leeds, AL.  It was a great suggestion.  Really great if you were into motorcycles, but still interesting for us.  There's a racetrack there, where I suppose we could have raced a Porsche, but didn't.  Just wandered amongst a couple thousand motorcycles, including some from the 1800s.  It was a great choice, Tom, thanks. 
So we didn't get to the museum yesterday so went today.  Another good move.  We were there as it first opened.  Glad we stopped.  Living all of lives in the north, we really didn't see much of the Civil Rights movement, except on television.   Just much of it took place during our lives.  It was interesting to see the events, the dates, and remembering where we were at that time. 
Brian, I have pics of alot of Indian cycles, yours is rare!! I looked for my old 1970 Honda 70 but no luck.  It is hard to explain just how much there is to see at Barber, it's a must do for all cycle and race enthusiasts!!   
Thought you folks might like to know that i spoke with a few guides at the CR museum and they actually understook Yankee(or Maineze as Linda calls it). 
Tomorrow we are headed to New Orleans, or N'orlens, as I think they call it.  We are staying on Lake Pontchartrain.  We plan on being there for til Saturday, so if anyone has some suggestions of what we need to do or see, let us know.  Jeff Allen has already told us that we need to go to Pat O'Briens and have a Hurricane.  Sounds like a great plan.  We have talked about taking a tour of the city, just to get a lay of the land.  We are on the bus route, so that will be helpful. 
Weather is getting warmer, I have my sandals on, and it feels good.  There's a 16 acre lake here, so we walked around it-not very far, but there's a bunch of Canadian geese there.  Not sure if they are headed south or headed north.  Its a nice area, just passing through.
Talk to you later-

Saturday, January 14, 2012

Its a beautiful day out here in Sweetwater, TN.  We took showers!!!  That's a big deal.  We stayed Dixie Caverns in Salem, VA, and the showers there left just a little bit to be desired.  Here now in Sweetwater at a KOA park, the showers are the 'cat's meow'.  Dixie Caverns apparently were discovered in the 1920s and have had tours ongoing since 1923.  It appeared to go into a mountain next to the campground, at ground level and then going downward.  Well, we've been to Carlsbad Caverns, so I don't need to spend any more time underground.  Atleast not yet.  It was a quiet evening; had dinner in the camper; watched television; and went to bed early.  Got up early enough and hit the road.  It was about a 5 hour ride to Sweetwater, so we've been here for most of the afternoon.  Nothing exciting, except that it is getting warmer, we have seen just a dusting of snow here and there, lots of cows and horses on the hills along Route 81; breakfast at Denny's and that's about it.  Oh yes, and the showers!
Right now Russ is checking the AAA books to figure out which way we are going tomorrow.  We are not far from either Georgia or Alabama so its up in the air.  He's thinking now that its Alabama.  We'll let you know tomorrow night. 
Have a great Saturday night.  Linda

Thursday 1/12/2012

I FOUND IT!!!! I found my address book that is.  It was between the mattress and the mattress pad. I just knew that it was here some place. Funny that I never felt it under me during the nite.  Quite a relief now it's over. 
Met with our friends Bart and Kelly Conner tonite for a great visit , dinner, and a stop for ice cream before saying good bye. Thanks for a wonder visit!!  filled up the truck for at least the 5th time and at $3,99 a gallon, it looks like a expensive trip to TX. Hope it's sunny and warm when we get there.
found out that we won't be able to connect with our friend Ron and Rosy tomorrow, as Ron is a taxidermist and has someone coming in from who know where to pick up the bear he just "stuffed". maybe we will see them on our way home.
Looks like we are headed to Salem, VA on Friday, as long as the predicted snow for this area, stays away until we get further south.  raining and about 46 right now, 9pm. 
Thanks to Jeff for snowblowing at home today and Brian for the hunting trip to the house looking for my book.
Just so you will know, we went to Hersey chocolete world today. Yes, of course I bought some candy for us while we were there. Linda wasn't happy when I picked up a assortment bag and convinced me I really didn't need a 10 lb bag, so I just got a few smaller samples. YES!!!   We have already stopped at 3 quilt shops so my wonderful navagator is smiling.
Hope you are all well and having as much fun as we are.

Mom, I WILL call! Just busy enjoying retirement.   Smiles and Hugs, Russ, PA, Grampa Russ or anything else you all call me.   Kathy/Steve, you can't call me that online.  HaHa

Jan 11,2012

Hi All,
We had a good trip from home to Hersey, Pa.  Got to see the grandkids and family last nite and expect to have Peyton and Gavin this afternoon and spend "Christmas" with them this evening. Thursday nite we hope to connect with of friends Bart and Kelly for dinner. 
 I'm floundering around, as I can't find my address book and have been looking up numbers and such for folks we want to connect with.  It must be in this tin box someplace, but no luck in finding it yet. There are lots of little holes to put stuff and we hope it shows up soon.
Not much to say yet, we will try and get more FUN stuff to share soon.

2012 preperations

Hi everyone,
 This is the first post of our 2012 winter travels. I am trying to check out how the blog will show different from last years. Busy getting piles of stuff ready to load into the rv and make sure we take everything we own. haha  Linda thinks we should make a list so we don't flounder around each time we start to get ready.  I will let folks know by email when this blog is really started and we have news to share.  Russ 1/5/12