DAY TWO, part one: New Orleans, LA to Shreveport, LA

DAY TWO, part one: New Orleans, LA to Shreveport, LA


I slept much better than I thought I would last night. I wasn’t cold, and for the first time in a long time my insomnia didn’t overwhelm me. John and I slept in the loft over the driver’s seat, and a few times I punched the ceiling rolling over.

Desirae and Reagan were nice and comfy on the couch bed. Reagan was wrapped around Desi like a noddle on a fork! Kaylin and Ava were on the other bed. Our 6am alarm woke John and I ONLY. I made breakfast for the kids and slowly but surely they all started to move. And much to Kaylin’s chagrin, Ava had urinated all over. Thank God we had planned for the 5 year old and put plastic under the sleeping bag. The camper, Ernie and Penny, was spared a fate that Kaylin’s leg was not!

It is taking a bit longer than planned to get rolling in the morning. We figured an hour would be enough time, but it most certainly is not. However, those who know me well know that I would much rather get a late start and arrive somewhere at 1am than wake up any earlier. I already had to break Cardinal Rule #1 of the RV, waking up early might be more than I can bear. : )

We realized that we are not used to having a video camera (John bought one right before the trip). We didn’t take it with us into New Orleans. : ( I’m going to do better for the rest of the trip!

For the first time since we left Orange Park our route took us off of the highway and onto state route 1 just outside of Baton Rouge. Leaving the highway is so opposite of what we are used to doing. Every trip has been about the rush rush rush of arriving as soon as possible. I literally had to remind myself that this trip is about the getting there. Reagan and Ava sit wide-eyed between John and I (or maybe its boredom registering in their little eyes) while the teens sleep.

It is interesting, to say the least, to travel this country. There are reminders everywhere of how blessed we are. Before we fell asleep last night John commented, “This isn’t so bad. We’re all comfortable.” This is for our *recreation.* Yet, at the campground, there were FEMA trailers. That’s everyday reality for those families. It really keeps things in perspective.

There are lots of funny little oddities to see on the way, too. Along the side of the highway near Baton Rouge was a little trailer park, where someone had decided it would be best to be the only trailer up on stilts. I use the term “stilts” loosely, as they were nothing more than 5 cinder blocks stacked on top of each other. There were four “stilts” on each side of the trailer. If anything jostles that thing, its toppling. But its on high ground should the waters a-rise! Also, in Krotz Springs we saw a garbage heap that claimed to be a store (John said the American pickers would be in heaven). This place boasted of selling “Treasure, Bait, & Sweet Potatoes.”

For lunch we’re stopping in Shreveport. I’m hoping this restaurant will be a decent meal and clean!