It has been 3 years and 11 months since our first trip to the U.S. We have been planning a return since about 6 weeks after we got home, but the world had different ideas.

Four months ago it looked like we would not get there again in 2022, but then the stars aligned and the trip was back on.

I slept poorly last night, about 3 1/2 hours in total. This morning it was up at 6 am and my brother picked us up at 9:30 for the two hour drive for our flight to Auckland.

Right now (abt 4:30 pm Thursday 8th September) we are in the international departure area at Auckland Airport. We have gone through security and customs. In about 2 1/2 hours we will take our seats in an Air New Zealand 787 Dreamliner for the 14 hour flight to Houston. We will land in around 17 hours. Locally it will be about now (4:30 pm Sept 8th) thanks to the magic of international time zones, for a four week tour of Texas, Louisiana Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, a short trip into Missouri then back to Texas again.

Let the good times roll.

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View from down under

Welcome back! Hope you have a great trip!

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Common sense isn't so common.

Safe travels, Kiwi and your missus! Welcome back!

Enjoy! Friendly port in southern Colorado if you find the need.

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Life of the party until 8:00PM

You picked some good states to visit. Be careful and be alert. Enjoy your adventure.

Keep us posted on your adventure.

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Made it, Ma! Top of the world!

looking forward to following this again . . .

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Wisdom comes thru fear . . .

Let us know if/when you may be in the center of Texas. Even is it's a drive-through we could arrange an opportunity to break bread and meet y'all!

Bryan

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Ordnung muss sein
SWHF #789

Welcome back y'all. Hope you have a great trip. Now for the real question...When are you coming back to stay for good??

Welcome back Kiwi! Enjoy your visit. There's much to see and do.
Should you venture to Virginia, you're have a place to rest here at the lake.

Enjoy this chapter.

I look forward to this year's travelogue as you make your way through the south.

As attributed to Horace Greeley, I look forward to the day when you and your lady "Go West, young man." (I know you did Route 66 when last you were here, but "The West" is different than that.)

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Wrangler of stray Chiefs
Bob

Brent and Karen, I look forward to your reports and so glad you are coming back! Enjoy your flight on the "Plastic Princess" my new favorite plane. Safe and enjoyable travels.

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John. SWCA #1586

After very little sleep Wed night (Kiwi time) we found ourselves sitting in our seats a little after 7:15 pm.

First, a passenger had to cancel, so we had to wait until their bags were unloaded. Then, weather forecast in Houston was for thunderstorms around the time of our arrival so the plane had to take on extra fuel.

We finally left the ground 45 minutes late.

A nice dinner (slow cooked lamb) followed by a movie (Top Gun Maverick) and I tried to sleep. Fat chance.

Another movie started (The Batman) but eventually got tired so we both dozed in our seats for several hours. Crammed into a window seat I was not very comfortable.

A late breakfast, just as good as dinner, and soon the windows were cleared and we were back in daylight again.

We landed at 5:15 US Central time (around 10 am Fri back home) 25 hours from our home gate.

Karen was drained. After the walk between terminals and to the departure gate, plus an uncomfortable night, Karen got to the bottom of the jetway and spotted a vacant wheelchair which she decided to take advantage of. Great move. By the time we got to Immigration we were taken out of the line and given a “speed pass”. Had a great discussion with the Immigration officer about his sidearm.

Out to baggage claim and a change of carousel. Waited 15 minutes for our bags to appear then exit and find the taxi point. Bloody hot and were both sweating after a few minutes. It’ll take a couple of days to acclimatise.

Wait for the cab to arrive and by 6:30 we are booking into our hotel for the next three nights, the same one we used last time. Arrange for taxi driver to pick us up at 8:30 tomorrow to take us to our rental car (saved 60% over what rentals at GBI would have been by doing it this way).

Room not quite as good as last time but comfortable. No desk or suitcase stand but we made do. Unpack, find power adaptors and plug in phones, iPads and my laptop to charge.

Karen turns on TV and surfs the channels until she finds one playing Gunsmoke all night

Grabbed a Macaroni Cheese snack from downstairs for dinner, although neither of us is hungry tonight.

Tomorrow the shopping and sightseeing begins.

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View from down under

enjoy your travels... looking forward to the "range report"

I envy your ability to travel and hope every moment of your holiday is happily memorable.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

Have a great trip and hope all your rooms and food are fantastic.

When in Mississippi , don't drink the water !!

What's your itinerary Kiwi? (Just so we can keep up). You on a Coach Tour or Self-driving a Hirecar?

Welcome back, I hope you have a great time. You chose a beautiful part of the country to visit at a great time of year.

I look forward to following your progress from the great state of Ohio.

Larry in Ohio

Keep your head on a swivel. Crime is rampant in the big cities now. So sad.

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No baby we aint

We are self driving.

Houston 3 nights.
Baton Rouge 1 night.
New Orleans 2 nights.
3 days up through Mississippi with stops either Natchez or Vicksburg and Tupelo.
Chattanooga
Pigeon Forge
Nashville (half day in Knoxville)
Memphis.
Branson.
Fort Smith.
Dallas/Fort Worth.
Abilene.
Waco.
San Antonio.

Return home October 6th.

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View from down under

soooo close to Kentucky... of course I am a Bourbon fan... so, maybe next time?

Give a heads-up when you're headed to Abilene. My lovely Mother-in-law lives there and we get there often. It's an hour and a half from us but home to my favorite "local" gun shop - which I'm thinking you might enjoy. Lots of very interesting eateries in Abilene as well. It's possible we could break away and meet for lunch, or something, if the timing works.

Bryan

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Ordnung muss sein
SWHF #789

Welcome! In Houston, do not forget to stop by Collector's Firearms on Westheimer. In New Orleans, Court of Two Sisters restaurant is a pleasant stop, but only go hungry. Salata salad chain restaurants in Houston are all over and good for a light lunch. The galleria is not what it was a few years back. All the Papp's restaurants (Pappsitos, Papadeaux, Papas Seafood, Pappas Burgers) are good if busy and chains. There is a High Caliber Gun & Knife show at the Pasadena Convention Center (Southeast part of town) this Saturday and Sunday, I do not know what Kiwi gun shows are like, but there are a few good vintage dealers and a magazine seller that has a big "Clips" sign that has a good selection of current and some vintage mags. Lots of polymer guns. I go but I have an interest in selling the show, but it is $10 to get in and free parking. PM any questions, I may have an answer. Happy trails!

Sounds like a good start to the trip, Kiwi! (And pro traveler move, that, renting the car from a site away from the airport.)

In Branson, The college of the Ozarks runs a great restaurant Keeter Center Dining. The Ralph Foster museum on campus has a great gun collection, many other Americana items, even The Beverly Hillbilly's truck, lol.

Just about 50 miles north in Springfield is the NRA firearms museum at The Bass-Pro shop mothership. Smaller exhibit than main one in Virginia but excellent. Wildlife exhibits all over store.

Welcome to US and hope you have a safe and wonderful trip!

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PTLAPTA!

Brent, don't forget to pull into a Stuckey's and grab a pecan log.

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Music/Sports/Beer fan

In New Orleans you need to do 2 things. 1st is get beignets at Cafe' Du Monde. The 2nd will take a little longer. The WWII museum is a must see. Only problem is it will take 4-5 hours to see everything and that is moving through at a pretty good clip.

A word of warning though, N.O. is not in a very good place right now. Lots of car jackings and muggings. Keep your head on a swivel. Other than that, enjoy your trip. Lots to see, do, and eat.

If you are in Dallas, Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse is the best. Every time we go thru we make sure to spend a night close by to get an awesome dinner. Steaks are like butter.

College of the Ozarks in Branson and the Bas Pro Shop in Springfield are very worth the trip.

Kentucky is on the must visit place, perhaps 2024/25.

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View from down under

This Collectors Firearms and Court of Two Sisters?

Blasted photo was taken before I learnt to keep the volume buttons down to get them to orientate right.

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View from down under

I meant to say that I do NOT have an interest.

So today did not go as planned. But first.....

There is a late night news show I watch clips of online, so I thought Id catch the whole thing last night. Only problem I was falling asleep before the first segment had finished. Off with the TV and to sleep before 10:30 pm.

I woke up just after midnight. My mind says it as the middle of the night. My body was saying "Wake up you lazy so and so. The day is wasting".

After 90 minutes of tossing and turning, during which I thought about getting up and heading to the training room for 30 minutes on the treadmill (but the facility closes at 10 pm), I finally got up and fired up the laptop to make full notes of the flight.

A little after 4 am I feel sleepy enough to go back to bed, but until around 5:30 I was still wide awake. The next thing I know is it is 7:30, Karen is up and dressed and I am feeling sleep deprived.

Up, shower and dressed. Go to find the OC Spray holder I put in my case and it's not there. Now where did I leave it? never mind, I'll see if I can buy another one today.

Full American breakfast for me and then at 8:30, right on time, our taxi driver from yesterday arrives as requested to take us to the rental car agency a little over half an hour away. Driver enters the address in his phone. After a drive through Houston rush hour traffic we arrive where Google says it is to find..... nothing. No car rental agency in sight, no-one I ask knows anything about it.

So I open my iMaps. Agency is on the other side of the road, it says, but on getting there (and expecting banners and 30 or so cars like back home) nothing there either. Drive around for some more time, finally get phone number for agency and call, get placed on hold. After five minutes hang up and try again. no answer.

Find another agency 10 minutes away and get the driver to drop us off there. Only just find it courtesy of Karen's eagle eyes. Once inside speak to agency operator Richard who advises where the other agency is. Only problem, taxi driver has left.

Go to arrange transfer of booking to this agency. Credit card declined due to the price being 2 1/2 times what was in the booking. Phone agency 0800 number, explain and request they transfer the booking to where I am. No can do because of the special rate I booked.

Richard suggests we Uber back to where we should be, but I don't have a Uber app or account and only 1-2 bars on my 4G phone so can't download the app. Call a taxi. Automated ordering system. Book cab and sit down and wait. 35 minutes later no cab. Phone and get told no drivers available for us. Try to download Uber app but it gets stuck half way through.

By now Richard and his staff, who have been great to deal with, step up. They are not able to drive us due to covid policies, but they phone the agency we should be at and arrange for operator to come through and pick us up as soon as he can get away. 30 minutes later Xavier arrives and drives us back to his agency where the booking is completed, as it should have been 3 hours ago. On the way Xavier tells us google always places the agency on the wrong side of the road. On arrival find a small shopfront with door signs obscured from the carpark by a brick pillar. Duh!

The car was booked as Toyota Corolla or similar and I had downloaded the Corolla owners manual to familiarise myself with the car. The car we get is actually a Honda CR-V. We get to the car, open the doors and I start the air con to cool the interior down. five months old and 12,000 miles on the clock. Once the air con is working as it should be, I hook my phone up to Apple Play (good) and install my phone holder on the dash. Then it is a 40 minute drive to a Bass Pro to pick up the OC Spray.

I had thought it would take me a day or so to reacclimatise to American driving. I get about 1/4 mile down the road and realise that it has all come back to me. Either muscle memory of the fact I have been driving an American PT Cruiser at home for the last 2 plus years. Also cruise control is, like the Toyota and our SUV at home, fitted with adaptive cruise control so I can relax a little bit in the drivers seat.

Arrive at Bass Pro, find the firearms counter and they do not have my preferred Sabre spray, but they do have a small pocket can of OC for the total cost of $7:50. I walk out happy.

Next stop a Sketchers store for Karen to get some new shoes. We have Sketchers in Kiwiland but without both the American range of shoes, or prices. US $100 later we are heading for San Jacinto monument. While I visited last time I didn't go inside, something I wanted to correct this time plus take the elevator to the top of the monument. while there i see a number of Walker and 1861 Colts.

Arrive and park the car, take some video and go inside. The elevator is undergoing maintenance and cannot be accessed. So I wander through the museum for 15 minutes, but leave before the hourly movie screens. Oh well, next time.

Enter Houston Blues Museum in iMaps and press "Go'. A bit more than half an hour later we are driving through a neighbourhood with rough houses surrounded by 8' chain link fences half overgrown with weeds up through the mesh. Umm... Have not seen a neighbourhood like this since Memphis in '18.

Park the car outside the address and go to the museum entrance. Where is it? The occupants of the unit where it should be knows nothing about it. Google the website, check the address which is right. Then notice the web site is showing the same "upcoming" event it has been for the last 18 months, a show scheduled for Sunday 30th September. Year not stated. Check my calendar. The last time September 30th occurred on a Sunday was 2018. Mmmm... I suspect the museum is long closed.

Next stop Walmart for Karen to pickup a few things. I have the address from the website. Only problem is, where it should be there is a 20' high hedge and no buildings. Oh boy! What have we done to deserve this today?

Open iMaps and enter "Walmart near me". There is a Supercenter less than 6 miles from us. 10 minutes later we are there where we manage to get everything we were looking for.

After shopping we head off for dinner. Golden Corral. And it is right where it should be based on a google search from home several months ago. A big dinner followed by desert.

By 7:00 pm dinner is over and we make the 15 minute drive back to our hotel. tomorrow is a half day or so visit to Galveston.

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View from down under

When you are in Pigeon Forge go to smoky mountain knife works.It’s in Sevierville right next door. Probably best knife shop in world. They also have a good gunshop there and a buds gunshop and range behind them.If you want to contact me while you are in Tn I recently retired from sheriff dept.I am a recently elected Constable but my schedule is mine. My wife and I would love to meet y’all.

We missed the Sevierville knife shop last time as it was too early to be open when we passed by on our way out of Pigeon Forge. It is definitely on our (my) “must do” list this time.

Congratulations on your election to Constable. Will PM you about possibly meeting when we are there.

What I really love about this forum is how friendly everyone is in real life. It really is a family.

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View from down under

Nice write up, Kiwi.

Your early hiccups with the rental car, etc., remind me of a surfer trying to get through the breaking waves to his surf spot. When traveling, the unexpected happens. Just gotta suck it up and persist, as you guys did. Bet things go smoother for you from here on out.

Looking forward to your next installment!

On near the east end oof the Galveston seawall is Mario's Flying PIzza. Nothing fancy, good food, family owned Italian restaurant, not nearly so crowded as Fish Tails and the touristy places further west. There is a lot of good food on the Kemah Boardwalk. Further down on I146 is a good burger place, Stomps.


Back in town, maybe near you, Riva's Italian on 1117 Missouri is nice. Frank Sinatra music, Christmas lights up year round. Does not ;ook like much from outside, but good food. Best Pho and open Sunday is is Pho Saigon on Milam near downtown. Mai's also on Milam is very good Vietnamese cuisine, the Bo Luc Lac with all the vegetables is great. For Chinese, all the cops and at least one other forum member eat at China Garden downtown on Leeland. Don't miss Collector's Firearms.

Last night I slept right through to 5 am this morning without even a bathroom break. Read some news and after showering sat down to try to catch up with my writing.

Just after 8:15 we went down for breakfast where I checked the opening time of our first stop today, the Buffalo Soldiers Museum. 10 am opening so back up to the room until just before 9:30.

Reached the museum to find a couple outside with no other signs of life, even though it was after 10. Waited till 10:15 then gave up waiting. Things to do and see.

The fuel gauge in the car was down to about 1/3 so we stopped off at a gas station. Less than $30 after quite a lot of driving.

Headed down the Gulf Freeway to Galveston and the Bryant Museum for our first stop. Lots of Colts, Winchesters and even some Smith & Wesson's on display.

After almost an hour we left again and headed into the old historic part of town for lunch. Found a park right opposite La Kings Ice Cream and Confectionary, so went one to have a look. Two shakes came in aluminium containers so cold that ice was forming on the outside. Neither of us finished our shake and afterwards we had no need for lunch. (Karen took the opportunity to buy some fresh made chocolate ).

After walking around a few shops and taking lots of video we headed back out of town to the Galveston Naval Museum where there are two WW2 ships, a destroyer and a submarine, on display.

It was hot inside the destroyer but sweat was running down my face as I walked through the sub. So tight and crowded, at times I had to walk sideways to get through the passageways and at one point was feeling a little claustrophobic.

Leaving Galveston we got some more video. We were cruising along the Gulf Freeway still south of Houston and I was overtaking a truck on my right when something flew up from the truck's tire just on front of us. There were two hard "bangs" and the steering became hard. I was able to pull over, slow down and get off the next exit.

The front right tire was blown with two chunks taken out of the sidewall. The spare was one of those "just good enough to get home" mini tires with a maximum speed of 50 mph. I still had quite a way to get back to the hotel, let alone back out to the rental agency. iMaps gave an open tire shop less than 5 minutes away, but when we arrived we were too late to get a new tire from the warehouse. It had closed already.

Luckily the tire shop had two second hand tires of the right size, one was even the same make, so that went on the car for the grand total of $50. It still has about 1/2 of the tread left, but is worn enough that it has activated the low pressure warning and I can't recalibrate it. The button in the owners manual is missing!

I had gotten some black stuff from the forecourt of the gas station I had pulled into to change the tire on my hands and knees. I was able to wipe most of it off but there was still some showing, so we headed back to the hotel so I could shower. On the way we stopped off at a Kohles for Karen do a bit more shopping.

At the hotel I showered and changed then we rested up for half an hour before heading out for dinner. Our destination was Mo's Place, one of the few Houston honky tonks I could find online that had not closed down for good during Covid.

Mo's was a good 45 minutes from our hotel during some heavy early evening traffic. We arrived and were about the only customers inside, although the band was setting up and sound checking.

We had dinner, burger for me, chicken strips for Karen and fries for both of us, along with a couple of soft drinks. There had been an $8 cover charge each on arrival and the bill came to only $20, which was the menu price of the food. Drinks and sales tax not charged.

The ride back to the motel went well too. Just before reaching the hotel I pulled into a Mobil to fill the tank again for tomorrow. $23. Not too bad.

Tomorrow we leave Houston and head for Baton Rouge via Lake Charles.

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View from down under

I think some here will be shocked you were pleased by the gas prices you paid but they have never filled up in NZ.

I am glad you got the tire issue sorted out! The last time It was in NZ I suffered a flat tire. Luckily it was a repairable puncture and the tire went flat at the motel in Turangi. It was late Saturday afternoon and the owner of the place I stay called the tire shop that was about to close and he stayed open until I arrived and repaired it quickly. I always purchase full vehicle coverage and although the repair was only about $25 I submitted it to the insurance company as a test of the coverage in the event of a major issue and it was covered after a bit of back and forth.

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John. SWCA #1586

On I-10 east, there are few large Bucky's along I-10. They have an immense candy selection. All their food is cheap highway stuff and not good for you, but a lot of it taste's good. Usually a good place to fill up too. very touristy and clean bathrooms. Contrary to theory, with the new relaxing of border enforcement, a lot of trucks down here now really only need to pass Mexican safety standards (here's 10 Peso's to pass me - like the last 10 times) and it is best to drive away from them. Safe travels!

Yep. Collector's has a new bigger location, I cannot tell if that is it from the picture. In new Orleans Hotel Monteleone in the Quarter is a nice, old, well kept quaint place to stay if you need to change hotels. Safe travels!

$23 in Kiwiland, not taking into account the conversion rate would buy about 9 litres, 2 1/4 gallons.

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View from down under

On your trip through Mississippi if you pass near Corinth the Civil War Interpretive Center is worth a stop and the Rib Shack at 201 US 72 has outstanding BBQ.
Have fun and safe travels,

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LEX ET ORDO

We were hoping for another night of uninterrupted sleep. Unfortunately an alarm out in the hotel corridor woke us both us just after 1 am and I just couldn't get back to sleep. I read some online news sites on mu iPad, pulled out my laptop and wrote for a bit, but still wide awake until I finally dozed off about 5 am.

The alarm drew me out of my slumber at 6:30, just long enough to turn it off, roll over and go back to sleep. An hour later I resurfaced and decided it was time to get moving.

Shower, dressed, pack our bags, load them into the car and check I had packed everything. Then it was time for another light breakfast, toasted bagel and slice of toast for me, small yoghurt and a slice of toast for Karen, coffee for us both.

By 8:30 we were ready to depart Houston. I checked out at the hotel reception desk and retrieved our cash security deposit, then went out to the car. Karen asked me where I had put something and when I told her she said" Just like on our last trip then"? That was when I realised I had put everything in the car exactly as I had done back in 2018.

Entering iMaps directions for Lake Charles, I followed the little voice inside the app until we were on I-10 driving east. I turned off the directions to save a bit of data, something I had learnt last time too.

Karen dozed off Wallisville. She had been kept awake by my inability to sleep and moving about the room.

Around 15 minutes before we reached Beaumont Karen woke up and asked me to stop if I saw a McDonalds so she could use the bathroom and get a coffee. I didn't see a McD's but did see an IHOP. We had missed visiting one last time and were planning to have breakfast in one tomorrow, but what's a day early?

It was busy and a bit crowded. We both ordered a 3 stack of buttermilk pancakes. breakfast had been almost 2 hours ago

The coffee was welcome but the pancakes were tasting little funny to us both. Too much salt or baking powder maybe? In any event Karen decided we would go somewhere else tomorrow (our hotel tonight does not serve breakfast). We would have plenty of options to choose from.

Once back on I-10 we made our way to Lake Charles where we stopped on the lake frontage to take some photos and videos before driving around the downtown area. Near what appears to be an old courthouse (some of he second floor windows are boarded up, but that could just be left over from hurricane Laura???) there is a monument which caught my eye, to the defenders of the south during the civil war. How long before this falls foul of the history rewriters?

We made the drive from Lake Charles to Lafayette, exiting I-10 to stop and visit Virmilionville, a historic "village" featuring original and recreated houses from the 1800's through to the mid 1950's.

Karen didn't feel like wandering around in the heat of early afternoon so she sat in the car while I had a good look around. There was a band playing 1960's/1970's classics in the performance centre and I stopped by there for a few minutes too .

When I got back to the car Karen asked if she could stop off at our overnight accommodation as it was hot and she wanted to just cool off under air con. On the way back to I-10 we saw a gas station and stopped to grab cold cokes.

From Lafayette we made the run to Baton Rouge in just under an hour. Crossing the Atchafalaya Basin I was reminded once more of how American road construction differs from back home where obstructions like lakes, rivers and mountains are skirted until they can be crossed. Here, a bridge is built in a straight line.

Coming into Baton Rouge our hotel, a Red Roof, was right off I-10. I had booked it after seeing reviews on both Trip Advisor (not good) and Expedia (very good). Initially it did not look too inviting with an old, clearly abandoned, building in the front. The roof paint was faded and overdue for a repaint, while there was a weed growing out of the gutter of the reception area, and more weeds around the edges of the carpark. Karen was a bit apprehensive but having prepaid we want inside to "have a look".

Once in the room things improved quite a lot. Smaller than our room in Houston it was clean and inviting, especially the bathroom. There was a faint air con order but the unit was turned down low and working overtime. Turning the temperature up to a reasonable 72 degrees and the smell dissipated.

After bringing in all the luggage we unpacked, plugged in the electric stuff, found the wi-fi and settled in to our overnight home.

I was looking forward to using the pool, but it was closed, and as I was warned might happen, the washing machine took my $2 (in quarters) and refused to operate. Oh well, we have clothes for tomorrow and can do our laundry in New Orleans.

I had planned on stopping by and getting photo's of both the Old State Capitol and USS Kidd, although I was not planning on going into either (the State Capitol being closed today and tomorrow). But once in the room I decided they could both wait until the morning.

Surrounded by fast food outlets (Burger King, McD's, Waffle House, Wendy's etc), Karen asked if we could just have fast food tonight instead of going out to Cracker Barrel like we had planned. Suited me.

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View from down under

PMA (positive mental attitude) Just stay positive and things will get better. Sorry it has been such a pain at times. Don't forget the beignets at Cafe' Du Monde. A cup of chicory coffee is good too.

Beignets and coffee are mandatory when in New Orleans! Cafe Du Monde is a must-see. You're in the middle of New Orleans culture. However, Morning Call is where you'll find the locals and a more laid-back atmosphere. Try 'em both!

Kiwi, you have had your share of travails but none terribly serious thankfully! In my travels I have found that the obstacles overcome successfully afford me some of my best and pleasant memories rather than the easy successes. You two are troopers, carry on and best wishes.

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John. SWCA #1586

It seems that as I age I am getting less sleep at night. Six hours uninterrupted is about as good as it gets for me, and that's what happened last night.

Awake in the small hours, unable to get back to sleep, read a few news items on the iPad (Kiwiland has finally ended mask mandates in all but the health sector and we won't have to wear them going home, though we probably will), write a few pages on the trip so far and back to doze around 5 am until the alarm goes off at 6:30.

Up and shower then pack the car again. By 8 am we have checked out of the Red Roof Inn and driven the whole 400 yards to the local Waffle House where we decide on the full breakfast again. Then on the road.

First up, into town where we stop and I get photos of both the Old State Capitol and USS Kidd. The Capitol is not open today and it is too early for the Kidd. Then it is hit the interstate for the 1 hour run down to Vacherie and the Laura Plantation. Originally just an opportunity to see an restored slave plantation before they all disappear from cancel culture. I found the 1 3/4 hour tour very interesting.

Modern times see Creole as being a mix of African, Native American and European (particularly French but including Spanish, German, Dutch and every other European country) culture. But originally there were three requirements to being Cajun.

1. Be born in Louisiana,
2. Speak French, and
3. Be Catholic.

The history of the plantation is also one of those fascinating ones. How badly must the matriarch of the family have acted towards her children and grandchildren for them to abandon her when they fled the land during the Union shelling of the area during the civil war?

From the plantation we travelled LA's minor State highways almost all the way to New Orleans. Just after getting on to I-45 again Karen asked me how the gas state in the car was. Mmmm. We needed gas very soon as we hadn't gassed up since Saturday night in Houston. Pulling off the interstate we gassed up the car ($31 plus a bit of change from an almost empty tank) and bought an ice cream each.

Once in New Orleans the first stop was Chalmette Monument where the Battle of New Orleans occurred. I had meant to visit here in 2018 after learning of it while on the Natchez Jazz cruise, but it slipped my mind once we got off the boat.

From there it was a short drive into the French Quarter. We drove down Decatur St from the French Markets again. Karen is having a bit of stress with walking, a hangover from her recent bout with Covid. She is getting stronger each day but didn't want to walk too far. We ended up at the same carpark we used for the Natchez cruise, at he same price. $31 for 2 hours placed on a credit card (no cash accepted at the machine). Who says al the crooks are illegal, at his price parking is daylight robbery!

Right next door to the parking lot are the Upper Pontalba appartments, perhaps the oldest apartments in the US, if not the world. Fans of NCIS New Orleans would have seen them as the off duty home for several of the lead female characters during the shows run, I hadn't got a photo last time, something I rectified, as well as some video of the river from the nearby bank.

Cafe Du Monde was next on the agenda. OJ for Karen, a slushy for me and a plate of three beignets shared between us. There was a saxophonist near the road and a bucket drummer opposite which blended in together despite one playing jazz and the other beats.

Karen was concerned for the welfare of the horses drawing the carriages on the opposite side of the road. It was hot and she wondered why the horses didn't have water. I suggested a ride on one of the 3 wheel bikes and we went to sit on a nearby bench, but no bikes came back to the stop while we were there so we returned to the car.

We headed along Decatur St until it reached Canal, turned right to Bourbon and drove almost the entire length with the windows down listening to the music coming from the bars all the way along. By now it was after 3 pm, time to find our hotel and check in.

Days Inn by Wyndham is not as "budget" as Baton Rouge's Red Roof Inn had been, but it's close. Once again we (okay I) and selected it based on reviews on booking.com as well as the price. It was a little rough looking outside but clean, tidy and comfortable inside. Which is all we need.

After unpacking the car and setting up all the electronics I logged on to my laptop and booked our Swamp Tour for tomorrow. I also rejigged our itinerary a bit. The Jazz Museum, which we didn't get to today, will be first thing in the morning. The Swamp Tour starts at 12:15 and the late afternoon/early evening will be spent at Louis Armstrong Park and a walk along Bourbon St for dinner.

And speaking of dinner, I made the run to Melba's for Po Boys. Chicken for Karen and Shrimp for me.

Tonight I'll forgo heading back into town for he third time today for the music and will catch the premier of the new Fox country music series "Monarch" online. I'm interested to see how they play the dichotomy of Susan Surrender and Trace Adkins playing husband and wife

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Karen must be a trooper. Mrs. Houston would never accept such reasonably priced entertainment, lodging and fare on her vacation or travel. Blind luck may be as good as planning for inexpensive dinner in the quarter as names change. I have one unscientific rule of thumb to never go to a French Quarter restaurant that is only on the second floor. Wishing you a pleasant day!

I agree. As you know it is those things, like St Louis Mississippi mud, that stick in the mind and give you lifetime memories.

One minor “travail” occurred yesterday.

For several years Karen has kept her debit Visa card, which operates out of her cheque account, along with her regular Visa card and Ryan’s bank card in her phone wallet. We closed her Visa account a few months back and she left Ryan his card to use while we are away.

Our first night in Houston sorting out her phone, her debit Visa fell out of the stretched wallet pocket onto the bed.

Late Sunday went she went to phone Ryan and she noticed her debit Visa missing. We checked her handbag and carry-on, then yesterday morning I looked all through the car. No card. We didn’t think it could be used here so waited until last night to online report it lost and order a new card. Thanks whenever we found about US$80/NZ$120 had been charged to her account over the last two days, obviously by pay-wave. Mostly small amounts, NZ$1.79, but NZ$44 at Wendy’s and a similar amount at Shell.

Yesterday was Karen’s fortnightly pension payment deposit. I usually would have transferee anything she has left over to our savings account on Friday but just left it while we are away to build up.

We were able to phone the bank, cancel the Visa hold on two transactions and dispute the rest.

The little things

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The “budget” accomodation means more funds to spend on activities. Actually, apart from appearances, the hotels and motels are a step or two above most in NZ which are built from breeze blocks (which we call hollow stone), both inside and out, and which have cramped showers only, no baths.

As for dining, Karen is not really one for sit down fancy food. She would be happy with Burger King/McD’s or similar every night. She loves what we have been eating so far.

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