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Relax RV Podcast – episode 45 – Out of Louisiana into Georgia and a fixed slide again

Drove to Pearl River Louisiana. We wanted to hike but because of the flooding we had a hard time finding a place (see the photo for this episode). We drove a half hour to Northlake Nature Center in Mandeville Louisiana. And hiked for 2 and 1/2 hours. A nice park with boardwalks and small trails.
The next day we drove to Prichard Alabama to Chickasabogue Park and
because we booked it through Passport America we camped there for $9 a night with full hookups.

We got set up and the slide started acting up again. The slide has difficulty going out. I remembered we had an issue in Montana with a wire going to the slide controller. So I asked Trish to hit the button to extend the slide while I went to the basement and I wiggled the wire that gets connected to the control panel that says ext (for extend) I wiggled it and as I wiggled it I heard an electronic switch going off inside of that control box and the slide came out.  

I had a conversation with myself and reminded myself to take a deep breath and relax and come up with a solution. I also reminded myself to put things in perspective. With all of this wonderful traveling that we’re doing we’re seeing beautiful things learning so very much (like the fact that we like to eat mud bugs) finding fantastic foods and meeting fabulous people. And I reminded myself the RV is put through an earthquake in a hurricane every time we drive it down the road 60 mile an hour winds and earthquake bumps.

 I then went on to Amazon found the control box Lippert Components 211852 Wall Slide-Out Controller V-Sync II for $250. I went ahead and ordered it and 2 days later I unplugged the old one –plugged in the new one – and the slide came right out without issue. So once again I hope that we figured out the slide problem.

The next day we drove 3 hours to Eclectic Alabama. 

We then went for a hike of about an hour through the park. Got back to the rig worked on pictures and then grilled dinner. That night it poured all night. We were setup under a carport so it was nice bbqing and such and not having to worry about the rain. On 3/2 I was getting cabin fever so I put on my rain gear and walked 2 miles to the town of Eclectic. When I got to town, the rain stopped and the sun came out. So I called Trish, she picked me up and we went to Lake Talisi Riverwalk. It was nice to get out for awhile. The next day we packed up, and headed to Brooks Ga. We arrived in Brooks Ga met our host. And had a nice conversation about rv solar systems.

 The next day we went in to Atlanta Ga. It was a so we found a Groupon for the Michael C Carlos Museum at the Emory University. What are really nice museum that had a great Egyptian display along with a lot of other interesting artifacts. Then we stopped in at the Ponce City Market which was the old Sears Roebuck and Company building. There was a lot of upscale shops restaurants and even a couple of bars in it. We bought a couple of chocolates at St Germain Bakery which were delicious. We then drove over to the Eclipse Di Luna in Atlanta. We got a few phenomenal tapas and it was happy hour so they were half price. Earlier in the trip Trish tried a coconut mojito and liked it. This place had one as part of their happy hour so she got one there and she liked it again. I guess this will be Trish’s cocktail of choice but her drink of choice will remain wine.

 

Some pics from Louisiana.

Pics from the Michael C. Carlos Museum

podcast

Relax RV Podcast – episode 44 – Mardi Gras …. Cajun Style

We left New Orleans and I wanted to drive across the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway. Why? Well according to the Guinness Book of World Records it is the longest continuous bridge passing over water in the USA (it was the longest in the world but now the Jiaozhou Bay Bridge in China is the longest). 

Arrived in Lafayette Parish Louisiana and stayed at a Boondockers Welcome host, Lonnie and Antoinette. Wow what a fantastic time we had with these folks and their wonderful friends.  We learned what a Parish is in Louisiana.  They invited us to a cookout with cracklins and gumbo and a crawfish boil the next day.  All of it was fun and delicious!  The next day we joined our host at Little Big Cup for brunch. We had more crackling, a great jambalaya and gumbo and fantastic Creme Brulee French toast.

Then we went to the Tabasco Company Factory and Museum tour which was worth the visit. We bought a bottle of their bloody Mary mix for our host. 

The next day we went to Prairieville in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. Met our wonderful host. Set up the rig right next to the bayou. By the way a Bayou is a slow-moving Creek. Or swampy section of a river or a lake.

The next day we went to Eunice to see a traditional Cajun Mardi Gras. We had heard of this on the LINK Anthony Bourdain TV show.

This was 2 hours from our location and our host graciously offered to drive us there. We ate the best Alligator we have ever eaten, ala po’boy at Nick’s on 2nd. There was a stage with a band playing cajun and zydeco music, stands selling crafts and Mardi Gras clothing and decorations. Then the parade started with police on motorcycles having fun leading it.  Then the real fun started.  The horseback riders in full cajun garb rode down the street then the floats with bead throwers. And there were people walking in the parade holding chickens.

This was the most fun Mardi Gras Parade we have seen on this wonderful trip!  The costumes, the friendliness,  the food, music and energy were fantastic!  Thank you Louisiana!!!!

We stopped at the LARC Acadian Village. We were so under whelmed by it I didn’t even mention it in the podcast. 

 

Here are pictures from the Acadian Village, the Tabasco Factory and a great stay with fantastic folks. These folks introduced us northerners to some fabulous food and good times !!!

 And picture of the Cajun Mardi Gras Parade on Fat Tuesday in Eunice Louisiana.

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Relax RV Podcast – episode 43 – Mardi Gras the big one and the original one too

We arrived in Fairhope Alabama and learned Mardi Gras originated in Mobile in 1703. We went to  a Mardi Gras parade in Mobile Alabama which was our 1st Mardi Gras Parade ever. What a blast. While the downtown is filled with bars, Mobile keeps their festivities kid friendly. While there we visited the Mobile Carnival Museum. We highly advise you to take their free tour, admission was $8. We then went to a 2nd parade in Fairhope, which was much smaller but still fun. We ate at a fantastic Lebanese restaurant in Fairhope called Sage.

Then we drove to New Orleans (NOLA). Camped at 3 Oaks and a Pine campground (which we reserved through Passport of America $40/night for full hookups – and there’s a membership discount code I can email you which will save you some money towards their membership fee, just let me know). We are 15 minutes away from Bourbon St. We walked to Frenchmen Street and sat at Apple Barrel to listen to Great old jazz music.

And we had Beignets at Cafe Du Monde.

The next day we took the bus into town which was no bargain. In New Orleans we took a tour (hottest hell tour) which was touted as “adults only” and it was great. The owner/guide talked about alot of the dark stuff that happened in New Orleans, we found tickets on Groupon for it.

We headed over to the parade route where we had bought tickets to use bleachers for $15. We were so glad we did that. It started at 6:15. but It didn’t get up to us until 7:30pm. And the last float went by us at 11:15 p.m. 

So now we’ve seen three different Mardi Gras parades and we agree we liked the one in Mobile Alabama the best.

But what a fun experience here in NOLA. We love all those bars with live jazz music, live bands, and oh yes the food !!!!!!!!  

We were told to be careful of the crime on Bourbon Street. But we saw no problems at all. Yes, it’s a city so be careful. But there is also Mardi Gras for kidsin NOLA (New Orleans).

We met friends at  drinks at Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop — built between 1722 and 1732 by Nicolas Touze, is reputed to be the oldest structure used as a bar in the United States. 

We are staying at Three Oaks and a pine Campground.

At the visitor center in town they have 24 hour RV parking (which would be dry camping) for $50 for 24 hours.

 

 Here are links to my pic’s from the Carnival Museum and parade in Mobile Alabama.

Pictures of New Orleans (NOLA) 

Pics of the Druid and Nyx parade in New Orleans