Hangin in the Big Easy

On the road!! Our first day passed quickly, rolling along I-10. We are using multiple apps and websites to research camping spots, and found a nice free spot just outside of New Orleans on free campsites.net. 

We had noticed a hum/ howl/ whine while driving, and as we rolled into the Big Easy, it was hard to ignore. We found a tire shop and eliminated any problems with the front end, which left us contemplating problems with the (gulp) rear end. Being Sunday, we decided to just enjoy NOLA for the day and camp nearby. 

  The French Quarter was a blast, dripping with sweat, culture, and hospitality. We visited the French Market, ate beignets and drank coffee by the mighty Mississippi River, and strolled the sidewalks lined with wrought iron and jasmine. In Jackson Square we managed to find someone who knew Jamie Ortega, the artist who painted the Somewhere Bus, and got his contact information. All of our one dollar bills went to tipping men painted silver, tap dancing teens, busking bands, poets for hire, painting puppeteers and the broken and homeless. 

New Orleans was our stomping ground 17 years ago. We drove by our old apartment, told the kids lots of stories and got 3 pounds of craw daddies from our favorite seafood market. Howling over the Mississipi River Bridge, we found a nice spot to camp at Bayou Signet State Park (see Lilye's post).

Now I find myself sitting in a mechanic's waiting room, waiting to hear the news.   

  Hopefully we'll be back on the road soon, although there are worse places to wind up stuck than the Big Easy. We'll keep you posted!