Back to the Big Easy again.

Although we were on the fast track to get back to RI due to my medical issues, if we had canceled our reservation at New Orleans RV Resort & Marina, we would have lost a few hundred dollars. However, we were able to change our dates arriving there a week earlier than originally planned. When we pulled into the resort the first thing we noticed was that the roads had been paved, no more dealing with the dusty roads! Woo hoo!

Although this resort accepts the Passport America rate which provides a 50% discount, it is not available from January 1st to June 30th, and unlike past visits, it is only available on the non-waterfront sites. We had already booked a “Deluxe” waterfront site (lowest cost) and paid the Good Sam rate of $80 per night. At check in, we were assigned to site #33 which was located on the canal but further up the inlet and away from the floating waterfront villas. On previous visits we had a “Premium” site near the villas and felt they blocked our views. The Deluxe site was much preferred. Awesome!

Be aware if you are planning on booking a waterfront site that you bring plenty of extra sewer hose and possibly an electric cord extension. Many, but not all, of the back-in waterfront sites have the utilities at the front of the site and depending on the grade may even be slightly uphill. We are fortunate to have a factory installed macerator with a 21′ hose, plus an additional hose we can splice in with cam locks. We have needed this on both the Premium and Deluxe waterfront sites.

Amazing that despite all the times we have been to this city, we still found new things to do!

On our first morning, we revisited one of our favorite breakfast joints – Russell’s Marina Grill for breakfast. I had the Benedict 9th which is two lump crab cakes, poached eggs topped with shrimp hollandaise sauce which I usually order.  Rob had the chicken fried steak which was good but he said it was a little tough.

After breakfast we ran errands, then took a ride down Lakeshore Drive along Lake Pontchatrain which is always pretty.

The next day turned out to be a perfect day weather wise to explore the Besthoff Sculpture Garden at the Museum of Fine Arts where “art and nature are in harmony”. This garden is a short drive from the campground and well worth a visit.

Beautiful day, beautiful place and best of all it was free! Nice day for a stroll, although with the huffing and puffing caused by my A-Fib, I frequently had to stop and rest on a park bench. Such a pain! But fortunately I made it around the entire park!

Occupying approximately eleven acres in City Park, the garden is adjacent to the New Orleans Museum Of Art which is also free. The 90+ sculptures are interspersed amid a mature landscape of pines, magnolias, and live oaks which surround two lagoons. So beautiful!

After walking around for a few hours, by mid afternoon we were hungry.  We decided to try Katie’s Restaurant at 3701 Iberville Street. Parking is a little tough here but we found a spot. At the recommendation of our waiter, we split the biggest seafood platter (oysters, shrimp, crawfish, fish and fries) we’ve ever seen. Even between the 2 of us, we had a ton of leftovers! Really good food and service was excellent!

Back during our trip between Delta Downs Casino and Cypress Bayou Casino we heard a loud clunk on the roof, but couldn’t figure out what it was. Rob hadn’t had a chance to check it out, so during our stay in NOLA, up on the roof he went. Luckily he couldn’t find any damage, so whatever hit us, or we hit (if anything), is still a mystery.

That afternoon, we worked up some ambition to head into the French Quarter for a late lunch/early dinner at the New Orleans Creole Cookery on Toulouse Street. Reading the reviews, we found out that they offered a Groupon discount, $40 worth of food for $23.40. Good deal!

Two beers, 2 bowls of seafood gumbo ($11 each) and an order of 12 chargrilled oysters ($23). Gumbo was excellent, full of lots of shrimp, bits of crawfish and other stuff, although a little spicy. The oysters were delicious.

Afterwards, we walked a few blocks to the river where we sat on a bench to watch the barges and the people.

A walk over to Jackson Square completed our sightseeing for the day. It certainly was another beautiful day!

Before we knew it, our four day stay was over and it was time to say goodbye to NOLA and head to our next destination, a new one for us.

Photos of our exploring New Orleans can be found here.