New Orleans take 2

Since Spring Break lined up with French Quarter Festival again this year, we spent it in New Orleans again.  We broke the drive into 2 days, driving the scenic Natchez Trace Parkway from Jackson, TN to Jackson, MS.  The first night we camped about halfway along the parkway a bit south of Tupalo.  We drove the stretch where on April 27, 2011 a tornado tracked along the parkway for 8 miles, obliterating the forest alongside the road.  There are plenty of small trees growing back and the area looks to be recovering well.  We met up with some friends at a small campground mostly full of retirees with RVs and camping trailers.  One of them was even a Jay Flight.   We spent the evening eating fried chicken, strawberries dipped in melted chocolate, toasting peeps and playing music around the campfire. 

It was the first time we have been camping since moving to Louisville nearly 5 years ago, which is really sad.  The next morning I whipped up a breakfast in the the cast iron skillet 

before breaking camp and hauling to New Orleans.  We rolled in time to take advantage of an oyster happy hour recommendation from our hosts

before heading out for some music and dancing on Frenchman street.  There was a small jam session that I sat in on run by a dancer we stayed with for part of the time last year.  They venue had some pretty strict rules for the ladies room.

The next day saw us spending some time at some local shops, including a well stocked thrift store where we both found some great clothes and managed to spend a more in a thrift store than I think i ever have before.  On the way back we saw some goats acting as lawnmowers and that warranted a stop.

More music and dancing followed in the evening. 

Our hosts had bikes for us to borrow, which made getting around really nice.  The next morning we headed to City Park with the plan of renting some kayaks and paddling Bayou St. John.  Most of the rental places aren't open mid-week and the one that was open was too far to haul a kayak by bike.  So instead, we spent the day biking around the park and along the bayou.

 The park has an art museum with a an outdoor sculpture garden that we spent some time walking around.

We cruised along the bayou for a bit

and saw some some ugly ducks.

Collyn got a nice dirt tattoo.

Once the festival started it was all music and dancing and sleep with food fit in when we found it convenient.

Unlike last year where rain killed half the festival, the weather was warm and sunny the entire time.  I've got my fingers crossed that next year's spring break aligns again.