We don't hide the crazy we parade it down the streets!

Here we are on our map, well in fact as I am writing this we are a little farther. Its hard to believe we have spent all this time and come this far!

New Orleans! After leaving St Petersburg we headed to New Orleans. I was a bit concerned that we were leaving Florida too soon, but we must move on there is still so much to see. As much as I'd like to, we can't spend the rest of our time in the US on the beach. This decision to move North and then West happened just as an unseasonal cold spell hit the east coast. Record breaking freezing temperatures. We spent one chilly night in Apolochicola National Forest at a dispersed campground, one day driving into freezing rain. But luckily as soon as we headed West the clouds broke and some sun started to warm us slightly. The first few days in New Orleans was still fairly chilly.

But first as few interesting things....we stopped in Biloxi Mississippi for lunch on our way to New Orleans. There was a beach bathroom on stilts that doubled as a monument. It contained several plaques that represented water marks from previous hurricaines.

Secondly the houses along the gulf are raised higher than any other homes we have seen. Some of these homes even have an outside lift to get up to the main floor.

Our work away host in NO was not originally from the area. He bought the property after hurricane Katrina in 2012. Most of the population of the lower nineth is elderly folk that lived in the area prior and out of towners picking up really cheap property. It's hard to believe that Katrina happened in 2005 and still there are many open lots and evidence of the devastation from the storm. James bought his large property across from the levy that failed during the hurricaine. Since purchasing he has been working away at building a home and community on this plot.

You can see the levee in the back ground of the first picture and the length of it in the second. James's house is across the street.

While it is fairly primitive several folks call this place home, living in trailers and small single room structures. Their water supply is a spigot from the cities water which also supplies their outdoor shower. Many of their meals are cooked on the fire but there is a roughed in electric supply. The community kitchen is outside and the fridge is always stocked with food from local grocery stores wasteful habits. One statistic states that 30-40% of food produced in the US is thrown out!! Maybe this is the solution to hunger? One of the roomates found a big screen tv in the garbage that worked fine, but had some surface damage. James houses volunteers through work away or couch surfers from all over. While we were stayed there was a young lady from France and a couple from Denmark.

Just go with it, say yes more often has been a moto I've tried to pick up. While Paul and I enjoy electronic music back at home we were invited to a electronic club that we otherwise would not have known of. Back tracking a little...Mardi Gras is celebrated February 13th but they begin the celebration every weekend starting Jan 5th. Parades are weekly and parties are abundant. We even got to see fireworks to commemorate the start of Mardi Gras. Unfortunately we missed the parade. With a small group of locals and our French friend we set off to dance the night away. For those that know Paul and I we enjoy costume parties. At this club we felt really underdressed and also heavily clothed, one lady was wearing only 3 clear plastic boxes over her skin and heels! Yep that's right! Everything from masks to roller skating dancers. Paul and I settled with the costumes of Canadians....with our jeans, hikers and toques! People seemed to like our costumes.

The other nights we spent walking through the French Quarter. We spent only a short time on Bourbon St. There are many more hidden gems than the obvious. One night James took us to a free meal at the Hare Krishna temple, delicious Indian feast and discussions of the Bhagavad Gita! We took in as much local music as possible, blues rock and old timey blues to street performers to prophets speaking the good word! We dined on Alligator sausage po' boy sandwich, the most delicious gumbo, jambalaya, and rabbit. There is several breweries in NOLA that make a really great IPA.

Alligator sausage Po' boy , it was alright

Half way through our plate of jambalaya and rabbit I realized I should take a picture. It was delicious

As our work exchange James had a van that was in need of a mechanic and banana plants that needed some cleaning up after their frost. Something I learned....swinging a machete is fun work, banana plants hold alot of moisture and when that water has been sitting in the plant for a long time it begins to stink, I was sprayed several times with this stinky banana juice. Mmmm. We also helped with cleaning and organizing.

Leaving New Orleans was foggy and chilly.

However a neat bit of info, from New Orleans almost to Baton Rouge is swamp and the highway seems to be bridge the entire way. We are planning to make a straight shot to Arizon to make a Rendevous in the desert. The next few pictures are a sneak peek into the West. I have a feeling we are going to like it on this side of the country.