The Big Graduation Trip

With Jim's Birthday, Graduation, and Christmas all within the same month, I decided to come up with one big present of an epic trip to Florida (and beyond).  And to be honest, I was just itching to get out on the road for a grand adventure anyway.  So those three events made for a good excuse to go on a road trip.  So on February 1st, 2002 we packed the car and headed for New Orleans for the first part of our three-staged adventure. 

  
Our jouney even took us into the state of Texas...
Well, only for a few minutes anyway in the border town of Texarkana.

Stage 1: Mardi Gras

    Around 5 p.m. we arrived in Lafayette, LA and dropped in for a visit with Raymond Canatella and his wife, a friend from way back in High School.   It had been about 18 years since we had last seen each other.  Wow!  Where did the years go?   He showed us his house (lots of space!) and gave us a Gumbo Gift set.  We chatted about old times and current, then eventually drove on to Baton Rouge to the hotel.

    The next day, we met up with Ray again and he took us into New Orleans for some Mardi Gras fun.  We went into the French Quarter and chowed down on a Muffaletta and then wandered on toward bourbon street.  There were lots of armed guards around supposedly due to the increased security of the Super Bowl which was going to take place on Sunday.  The French Quarter seemed a bit tamer than when I was here before during Mardi Gras.  I'm not sure if it was just our timing or the security guards or what.  But it was still fun anyway.  

    Later that evening we went to a parade in Metarie.  Jim loaded up on beads and stuffed animals before the parade even started!  He even scored a phone number from last year's queen of the parade!  Ray and I just hung out on the sidelines like old farts and talked about old men type things.  But then the parade started and we each joined the frenzy of bead-grabbing fun. 

    Doh, I forgot to bring the camera with us!   I don't have any pictures of time at Ray's house or in New Orleans.  And I'm supposed to be some sort of camera professional!?   Well, now I'll just have to go back for another visit and take some pictures.  But in the meantime, if you really can't picture what Mardi Gras looks like, here are some websites that will provide some visual aid...