This campground, a wildlife paradise near New Orleans, was the turning around point for my journey.
Spiderwort burst into bloom during my 12-day sojourn.
I left Louisiana this morning, to begin my long journey back to Maine. It was sad. For this “62-plus” solo RVer, St. Bernard State Park was the perfect campground (except for the fire ants). With the senior discount, the cost for my water and electric site was just $14 per night. I also lucked out with a long green space that led back to a busy wetland full of wildlife. There were hot showers, an on-site laundry, and it was an easy 18-mile drive to the French Quarter. The main road near the campground goes straight into New Orleans and becomes Rampart St., with parking readily available.
My backyard wildlife list included a red-eared slider, little blue heron, alligator, raccoon, and a pair of yellow-crowned night herons, as well as the almost hourly call of the barred owls.
Best of all was time with friends – Sue and Roy, my camping neighbors from Blythe Island in Georgia, and Al and Ingrid, who I met here in the manner I often do, when Al came over to guide my backing up. I am improving, but I don’t want to get so skilled that I no longer make wonderful friends this way!
Al’s smoked chicken quarters and deer wraps with bacon made for a fine picnic!Roy provided much needed moral support for my refrigerator repair. I miraculously discovered the problem (a blown thermal fuse), thanks to advice on the Grand Design owners’ forum. Young alligators in the lagoon beside the state park’s nature trail. There were seven that day, all the same size, in one small area. Later, I would return with Sue to find a huge mother alligator in the same spot, with foot-long babies sunning on her back.Sue, Roy, and I took a four-hour guided kayak tour of the Manchac SwampA non-venomous Mississippi green water snakeRoy and Sue in their canoe, with shrimping boats in the background. We explored the salt marshes of Bayou Bienvenue yesterday. After all the meals and rides and campfires they’ve shared with me, it was fun to show them the abundant birdlife, especially a gorgeous pink roseate spoonbill.
Experiencing the French Quarter and Garden District through sight, sound, smell, taste and feel.
My kayak and I have early morning plans, so I thought…why not give you the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feel of the Big Easy through some of my favorite photos. It won’t be difficult to accomplish. This city puts herself out there; she’s gregarious and flamboyant, yet with deep and meaningful roots.
The grand houses of the Garden District, like the Buckner Mansion on Jackson Street, feature ornate wrought iron fences and railings, as well as exquisite landscaping.Derby Pottery makes the official letter tiles that spell out street names on NOLA sidewalks.Street bands abound. The Dirty Rotten Vipers drew quite a crowd after a tune or two.Ingrid and Al were camped next to me and kindly invited me for an evening at the Tropical Isle on Bourbon Street, where their son Jack was the drummer in the band. What fun to request Ingrid’s favorite song (Brown-eyed Girl) for her birthday and even try a signature Hand Grenade!Why did I take only one photo of this special moment, and a blurry one at that? This bamboula drum, of the type played in Congo Square in the early 1800s, was made to be played by visitors to the New Orleans Jazz Museum. The rich and varied tones of my novice drumming gave me a small sense of how it must have been to drum there, where New Orleans music all began.You’ve got to stop to smell the flowers when you’re fortunate enough to be in the South in March!Beignets and cafe americano in an early morning courtyard with all the day before me. Light, airy, still warm, and covered in powdered sugar, they became an instant favorite.This Stein’s Deli “muphaletta,” on fresh ciabatta bread, features mortadella, soppressata, Tuscan ham, aged provolone, olive salad (key to a muffaletta), and garlic vinaigrette. Definitely try one the next time you are in New Orleans. Stein’s is on Magazine St. in the Garden District.Rocking along to the Garden District on a Green Line historic streetcar. An all-day pass for unlimited rides, including buses and ferries, is only three dollars!Oh, my weary feet, but it was worth every hour of walking!My dream house, if ever I move to the charming Garden District!
Laurie Apgar Chandler 