B & D's USA Hideout: New Orleans, LA

Leaving Mississippi, we drove along scenic route 90 by the coast. It was nice drive through Biloxi and Gulfport and into Louisiana. We made our way to St. Bernard State Park, where we decided to camp for the week. The campground was very nice, had great rates and was also in a good location relative to the city, about 15 miles southeast of it. The first thing we did after we got settled was to go on a hunt for a local Po-boy sandwich. We found them at the Fresh Ketch Market and ordered ourselves a couple with fried shrimp.

On Tuesday, a Louisiana native and Brian's work associate, Brett Boone (love that name) and his friend, Robbie, took us fishing for speckled trout. The speckled trout is a saltwater fish that is actually not in the trout family but in the drum family. It was a slow fishing day but we each caught one and I additionally caught a small red drum. Brian and I took home the day's catch and pan fried it in butter with just a little spice (smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, pepper and a little chili powder). We met up with Boone and his "old lady" later for drinks in Metairie.

On Wednesday we finally ventured into the great New Orleans city. Brian has been here many times on the ship. We walked through the French Market and the French Quarters, down to Bourbon St. and along the Riverwalk. Brian and I dined on oysters for lunch, both raw on the half shell and char-broiled, which the oyster is put on the grill and covered with parmesan cheese. Delicious. Later, we reunited with some old maritime friends, who now pilot ships in the Mississippi River. We had a good night out on the town. I can't go too much in to detail but the night involved an outdoor festival, hurricane drinks, and a swanky hotel.

Thursday we recovered and Friday we headed out of town but not before we stopped for lunch at the Abita Brew Pub. Abita is the local brewery and it is Brian's favorite beer, especially the Strawberry Harvest.