I was able to visit New Orleans for a few days when I went to visit my nephew in Shreveport and then at
the end of a Gulf Shores, AL trip with my friend, Lisa. When I was by myself, I went on a few group tours around the city. First I went on a night walking to
ur where we got to enjoy some jazz music at a club after eating a local restaurant(the 2nd oldest & excellent bread pudding). We walked down Bourbon street(not a very family friendly area!). And before the tour ended we stopped to eat beignets(thick pieces of funnel cakes with piles of powdered sugar on
top). Also I went on group walking tours around the French Quarter and Garden District. The French Quarter was where the original French and Sp
anish settlers came(a pretty wild bunch). When Americans started coming, the Garden District was made because the French Quarter didn't want them in their area(and vice ve
rsa). So Canal Street splits the 2 areas and the east/west streets have one name in the French Quarter and another name for the same street in the Garden District still. I loved the unique architec
ture in both areas! But I did favor the Garden District because it seemed more of a spacious clean area than the narrow dirty areas of the French Quarter. I especially loved seeing the above ground tombs at cemetery. To save space, whole families are buried in same tomb(after year of death, they sweep
back the ashes/bones into hole in tomb and then it's ready for next body). And then after my trip to Orange Beach, AL to enjoy the Gulf shores, my friend Lisa and I spent a day in New Orleans because our flights were leaving from that airport. We rode a steam/paddle boat on the Mississippi River that included dinner and jazz band along with interesting commentary from the captain. We also went on an alligator swamp tour. Capt Allen was very informative and interesting! He'd call the alligators like we would dogs and talk to them like they were cute and cuddly! We saw lots of smaller alligators and even Old Joe, the oldest and biggest in that swamp area
(whom Capt Allen took time to pat on his nose). I never realized how beautiful the the swamps
were! The vegetation was amazing!
I got the opportunity to go with some friends to the Speedracing at the Bonneville Salt Flats. It's definitely a unique Utah experience! I couldn't believe all the miles and miles of salt in every direction! And we saw some pretty cool hot rods going 200-300mph! Luckily it was one of the coolest summer days we've had(like in the 60s) so it was perfect for sitting all day in the sun(with white reflective salt surrounding you)!
the movie cameras swept through the streets of London and Diagon Alley! I like the movie better each time I see it! Can't wait for the last 2 movies(for book 7) to see how they are going to set it up!! After the movie we went to Ruby Tuesday for dinner! Great food! I was glad to be able to take some home for another meal sometime! Plus they had a yummy chocolate chip cookie and ice cream dessert! It was great spending time with Jon and Mandy!
the end of a Gulf Shores, AL trip with my friend, Lisa. When I was by myself, I went on a few group tours around the city. First I went on a night walking to
ur where we got to enjoy some jazz music at a club after eating a local restaurant(the 2nd oldest & excellent bread pudding). We walked down Bourbon street(not a very family friendly area!). And before the tour ended we stopped to eat beignets(thick pieces of funnel cakes with piles of powdered sugar on
top). Also I went on group walking tours around the French Quarter and Garden District. The French Quarter was where the original French and Sp
anish settlers came(a pretty wild bunch). When Americans started coming, the Garden District was made because the French Quarter didn't want them in their area(and vice ve
rsa). So Canal Street splits the 2 areas and the east/west streets have one name in the French Quarter and another name for the same street in the Garden District still. I loved the unique architec
ture in both areas! But I did favor the Garden District because it seemed more of a spacious clean area than the narrow dirty areas of the French Quarter. I especially loved seeing the above ground tombs at cemetery. To save space, whole families are buried in same tomb(after year of death, they sweep 
back the ashes/bones into hole in tomb and then it's ready for next body). And then after my trip to Orange Beach, AL to enjoy the Gulf shores, my friend Lisa and I spent a day in New Orleans because our flights were leaving from that airport. We rode a steam/paddle boat on the Mississippi River that included dinner and jazz band along with interesting commentary from the captain. We also went on an alligator swamp tour. Capt Allen was very informative and interesting! He'd call the alligators like we would dogs and talk to them like they were cute and cuddly! We saw lots of smaller alligators and even Old Joe, the oldest and biggest in that swamp area
(whom Capt Allen took time to pat on his nose). I never realized how beautiful the the swamps
were! The vegetation was amazing!
was warm and the sand white. We had our own beach umbrella and lounge chairs. We were able to sail a catamaran with Capt. Andy. Since we were the only 2 people on our ride, we sailed at extremely fast speeds so we got the ultimate experience of sailling a catamaran! Also, we were able to dolphin watch! Two speed boats went out at the same time and got 20-30yds apart and
sped through the water. The waves and wakes created were natural surfing and jumping areas for dolphins! So that was cool! At the end of our trip we spent some time in New Orleans, LA, but I put that in a separate blog. 
were great photo ops---we got to get our picture holding a baby alligator. Diana's favorit
e part was riding the mechanical alligator and horse! Then we went to Oakland Plantation. The oak and pecan trees were so huge because they were so old! They were beautiful! It was interesting to learn about the life at plantations. Next we went to Fort St. Jean Baptiste. We got there just as they were closing but a worker went the extra mile and took us around the fort explaining the various information. And at night we'd stay up much too late chatting! I had a great time hanging with all of them!
