Photo by The Joneses Ralph and Gisela took a bus tour through New Orleans and through many of the neighborhoods that were devastated by Katrina.
ARCHIVES: You wouldn't believe how beautiful Canada is! Wouldn't change a thing Who knew there was so much to see in South Dakota? Time is flying by — but at least we're having fun! I (heart) Hart Ranch, South Dakota Rallyin' in Goshen, Indiana A special day From friends to work to warmer temps, we're still having fun in Florida Traveling to Texas Finally, we're in Alaska! On the way to Canada Boise sure has changed a lot Escapees Rally in Wyoming Bittersweet trip through the southeast From Boy Scouts to ‘Stars on Ice’ Michigan is full of treasures Arriving in Florida Earning our ears Celebrating Christmas and New Year's in Florida and the Disney Parks Down in the Lowcountry Making our way through Minn., Wisc. and Ill. The holidays in Florida Our time in Lakeland has come to an end Couldn't have had a better time in Omaha! Arriving in Charleston A day with friends from Frederick 'Life is good' in Lakeland, Fla. Leaving Florida, and heading north Our final days in Kentucky Into the Keys Out of Charleston and off to Indiana Dreams come true in Vermont You never know what you'll see or who you'll meet in Alaska Leaving Indiana, but not before taking some of the state's best sites Idaho is full of natural treasures — and moon-like craters, too It's all about the theme parks From prairie country to beautiful views to grand 'ol Yellowstone Thunderstorms, flooding, tornados and a visit with the 'Duke' And so it begins ... Moving days for Greg and his family The gang's all here! Happy to be in Florida again Strawberries, and more strawberries 'The RV Capital of the World' From the beautiful Maine coastline down to southern Connecticut Training for our jobs at Disney World Chillin' out at 'Camp Monaco' Under the weather Back in Florida At long last, back in the area Lots to see in the 'Show Me' state With family and spectacular sights in Hailey, Idaho Look back, look ahead Back in the Lower 48 The cold weather is hitting Florida From Dallas to devastation Back on the road again Leaving Idaho and heading east Beautiful Alaska A memorable visit to Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Watch out for flying dinner rolls

The stay in McKinney, Texas was longer than we had anticipated. However, it was worth it.

The shades we had installed in Indiana and Florida all needed adjustments. The front shade had fallen down while traveling through Canada. Fortunately, Ralph was able to continue driving till we could pull over safely – not a good experience though.

We love these shades; they are so much nicer than the blinds we had before. However, we were not happy with the installation and decided to go directly to the manufacturer – MCD Innovations. They certainly took good care of us and made all the needed repairs and adjustments. We are very happy now!

While there, we drove into Dallas one day and visited the Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, located on the sixth floor of the building known in 1963 as the Texas School Book Depository.

The exhibit called “John F. Kennedy and the Memory of a Nation” is a permanent exhibition of the life, death and legacy of Kennedy. It features documentary films, historic footage, and hundreds of photographs and artifacts. It was just incredible. We spent over two hours walking around and actually reliving that terrible day in November 1963.

On the seventh floor of this building was an exhibit featuring photographs taken by Bob Jackson who won the Pulitzer Prize for the pictures he took during those chaotic days. He also shot the famous picture of the fatal shooting of Jack Ruby. The pictures were awesome.

I also visited the Mary Kay museum located in the Mary Kay World Headquarters. Since I used to be a Mary Kay consultant it was very interesting to me to view this company’s unique history. Mary Kay, who had a dream to enrich women’s lives, started the now very successful company in 1963. Interesting. The year 1963 was a very historic year for Dallas, Texas.

Traveling south we made several stops. We try not to drive more than 250 miles a day. Besides we did have time. Our reservation at the Thousand Trails in Orlando isn’t until 11/1.

At one time we stopped at a unique RV resort in Louisiana called the Paragon Casino Resort. It was totally geared for RVers to stay there and spend their time in the Casino. All sites were concrete slabs and pull-through – easy to park and no need to unhook the car. A shuttle was driving around picking up people to take them to the casino. I was tempted to go, but decided our budget had been stretched enough with our Alaska trip.

We stayed for a few days in Abita Springs, just north of New Orleans and drove across the 30 mile bridge across Lake Pontchartrain. Awesome.

In New Orleans, we took a bus tour through the city and through many of the neighborhoods that were devastated by Katrina, or actually, as we were told, by the flooding caused by multiple levee breaks. Biloxi, Mississippi was hit by Katrina.

Our guide was very knowledgeable and we learned many interesting facts. We stopped to visit one of the unique above ground cemeteries. Our tour took us through the Ninth Ward, one of the most destroyed areas.

Our guide pointed out houses and whole neighborhoods that were rebuilt as part of Brad Pitt’s project. He has done wonderful things for the poor people in these areas. It was sad, though, to see many empty lots where houses once stood now overgrown with grass. Many people were evacuated and decided not to come back to their homestead.

At Cafe DuMonde, we had a cup of their famous cafe au lait and an order of beignets. They were delicious – almost as good as the ones I make when I worked at the bakery in the French Quarters at Disney World!!!

We walked through the French Quarter, visited the beautiful St. Louis Cathedral and had a typical New Orleans seafood dinner. A bit too spicy for Ralph, but I loved it.

Our next stop was Biloxi, Mississippi – I’ll write about that in my next blog.