Florida & New Orleans 2016

Florida & Louisiana 2016

Coxen Travel Ink Florida & Louisiana 2016

Florida

February 2 - 6 - Orlando
     We took the red-eye out of Edmonton and spent several hours in Pearson Int'l Airport in Toronto before flying into Orlando about 2 pm.  The sun was shining in Florida with a temperature of 80F.  What a great start to our winter getaway!
     Universal Studios was our theme park of choice for this visit.  We wandered in Harry Potter's world, stopping in Diagon Alley

and took the Hogwarts Express

to Hogsmeade.  Both places had great rides that tipped, twirled and toppled us. We felt a little left out because almost every kid there had purchased a wand, but lived with the guilt.  The Hogwart's robes looked very cool, but since we no longer teach, felt we would have no use for them.  (Can you imagine subbing in a class, and arriving dressed in the robes?)  We also wandered into Jurassic Park

and did the water ride there with a cute couple from Alaska.  The ride is similar to Splash Mountain, except the drop is steeper.  I think the photos from that ride have water drops on them!
     The temperature dropped and the wind picked up for us on Thursday.  Out came the coats and sweaters again.
     Friday morning found us up at 5 am to drive out to Cape Canaveral to see the rocket launch.  We arrived at the Kennedy Space Centre

Rocket farm at the Kennedy Space Center

about 7:30 and went on sight to sit in the stands.  We were about 8 miles from the launch site, but could still feel the rumble at ignition. 

It was very cool to actually see the launch for real, rather than on a tv.  The Centre has changed a lot since we were there in 1998.  The original museum is being demolished to build a new exhibit.  Instead, we watched 2 videos on the history of the shuttle program before entering the display area to see the space shuttle Atlantis. 

What a beautiful glider she is, with the 2 Canadarms waving proudly on top.

February 6 - 8- Daytona Beach
     The drive out to Daytona was sunny, but quickly changed to cold rain.  We checked into our hotel on the beach, and watched the waves come crashing in. 

The gulls and plovers sat on the edge of the water as the waves crashed in.  The gulls didn't mind getting their feet wet. 

The plovers would quickly move out of the way and stayed dry.
     We spent Sunday at the end of the spit visiting the Marine Rescue Centre and the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse.   The Rescue Centre takes in injured turtles and birds, nurses them back to health, and then returns them to where they originally were found.
     They also had a touch pool with several manta rays, a dog shark, and a horseshoe crab swimming about.  People could put in their fingers and touch the animals as they swam by.  However, fingers were removed from the pool when it was feeding time for the rays.  They glide around the pool, flapping their wings as if they were flying in the air.  They really are very graceful.
     Outside, there were several cages where birds were recovering from injuries.  Two bald eagles spent time together, while owls and pelicans looked on from their cages.
     The lighthouse had been originally set up as a place to mark the entrance to a river, and as a place where people could be rescued when their ships crashed on the rocks. 

It was amazing to wander the various buildings and see the history of the lighthouse, and to see the amazing collection of lights and lenses that allowed the sailors to be warned from further and further out from land.  It was amazing to realize that the original lighthouse keepers had to maintain a light at the top of the tower every evening after walking up the 203 steps.

I know they were very happy when gas and electricity made it possible to run the light without close attention.  However, that freedom for the lighthouse keeper also made them redundant and no longer needed.  I wonder who did the rescuing after the lighthouse keeper was gone?

February 8 - 10 - Fort Lauderdale
     We headed down the coast to south Florida to visit the Everglades National Park and old friends.  It was great to reconnect with Adrian and Carmel after 18 years.
     The Everglades Park is located close to Miami, so took us over an hour to drive to.  Once there, we chose to visit the glades through the Everglades Safari Park.  The first activity at the Safari Park was a ride on an airboat through the saw grass and water. 

We always thought, because we watched CSI Miami that the Everglades were full of tropical plants, trees and gators.  Instead, it is only that way on the edges.  The landscape quickly changes to grasses growing in the shallow water.  Gators swim in the water, or hang out near the brush.  It was a cool day, so they were hiding to keep warm.  We were able to find a few in the canal area near the boat docks where the wind was blocked out.
     After the ride, we watched a conservation officer try to feed 3 alligators, but they were too busy trying to keep warm to be interested in food.  However, a walk in the pool area was interesting because we saw several swimming in the Safari Park pool or in their pens. 

This one was not in a pen it was simply on the side of the water with no fence between him and us ... we stayed well back!

We also saw a beautiful green heron on the edge of the water.  They are so cute - just the opposite of their blue cousin - they are short and pudgy.  There was also a gorgeous snowy egret showing of his plumage.

Purple Gollinule

February 10 - 16 - Destin
     It took us 8 hours to drive from Fort Lauderdale to Destin on the panhandle in the north of Florida.  The vegetation changed from palm trees to pines after we left the Orlando area, and there were hills and fields of oranges, cattle and grapefruit.  We arrived back on the coast in time to see the most beautiful sunset.  With no camera handy, we are unable to share it with you, but hope to see one later in the week with camera in hand.
     One of the reasons we came to this area was to visit the National Naval Aviation Museum at Pensicola.   Filled with aircraft from WWI, WWII, Korean war, Vietnam and current aircraft, Kerry had a great time wandering in the two hangars.  The museum also includes the first lunar module and the command module because many astronauts have also trained there.  Interspersed throughout are interesting displays from the wars, like a shower hut from the Pacific theatre in WWII,

F4U Corsair

and an aerodrome command center from WWI.  Because Pensacola is the home of the Blue Angels, an aerobatic team, similar to the Snowbirds, there were several aircraft on the floor and suspended in the air.  Too bad we are not here in March.  The Blue Angels start practicing then for their heavy schedule of airshows.  The boys did do a flypast for the Superbowl, but we weren't here then.
     The Air Force is also represented in the area at the Air Force Armament Museum at Eglin Air Force Base.  Like many small museums we have visited, it had many aircraft around the outside of the hangar, with examples of the armament used over the years inside. 

F15 Eagle

The museum also had a history of flight at the base and with/for the US Air Force that was very interesting.
     Both museums had an interesting display about POWs and MIAs in the VietNam War, with memorabilia like clothing and books of poetry, drawings, etc prisoners used to keep themselves entertained in their solitary confinement.
     Interestingly, the Air Force started out as a part of the Army Corps, so women who became part of the Air Force joined as WACs (Women's Army Corps) and later as WAACs (Women's Army Air Corps).  Over the years, women have gone from being secretaries to pilots, etc.
     Destin is an amazing beach area.  The sand is fine and white and feels like you are walking on talcum powder.  The water in the Gulf of Mexico is a beautiful green colour close to the beach.  Down the coast from Destin is an area of several planned beach communities that are now vibrant areas filled with cottages, condos, boutiques and eateries.  The original streets were planned to hold small cottages.  The symmetry of grids is a beautiful sight for those of us who love order, with a charm from the past. We spent the afternoon at Seaside, enjoying the Center Square (a circular road with food trailers on the street side and a band shell inside the curve.  When you go down to the beach, there are many steps that take people over the dunes.  At the top of the stairs of Seaside Beach, they have gazebos of different shapes that allow people to stop, rest, and enjoy the view.  Each one is distinct in shape and build, so it was interesting to walk the beach and find each of them.

     We experienced our second storm on Monday night.  High winds and heavy rain was our experience at Miramar Beach, but just west and north of us, a tornado touched down in several spots, causing damage.  The next morning, though, the sun was shining, the wind had stopped blowing and the day was beautiful.

New Orleans

February 17 - 23 - New Orleans
     After a four hour drive across the south end of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, we arrived in New Orleans about 3pm.  We checked into our timeshare, La Belle Maison on Magazine Street, just off Canal Street.  Our first surprise was the way we were treated in the parking garage - the boys were friendly and helpful.  They were happy to meet us and couldn't do enough for us.  We entered our suite and found another surprise.  We are in the warehouse area, so the building is old and full of exposed brick.  Our suite is very elegant and comfortable.
     We couldn't wait to get out and start experiencing the city.  We headed out and across Canal Street into the French Quarter.  It didn't take us long to reach Jackson Square

Basilica of Saint Louis King of France

where we  listened to a group of young men playing electronic music.  Beside them were several palm readers and tarot card readers sitting at portable tables, mixed with henna technicians and artists, displaying their work on the fence surrounding the Square.
  We continued to wander down streets, admiring the iron lace balconies along the second story  of the buildings, the bright colours of the flags and beads decorating some of the balconies, and the art, souvenirs, and crowds of people.  We enjoyed the smell of the sausage and, chicken and alligator, frying for dinner entrees at the myriad of bars and restaurants before selecting "The Coronet", a restaurant on the corner of Bourbon Street and St. Peters Street. 

We found a table on the balcony outside, so we could hear the music coming out the doors of several other restaurants.  Kerry had the Jambalaya and a local beer, while Pat had a gingersnap cocktail and creole shrimp.  Pecan Pie finished the meal. 

The 'Cornette' where we had supper.

We encourage all of you to google the recipe for the gingersnap cocktail to serve at your next soiree.
     We were up and out the next day to take a bus tour.  We love to use the
"Hop On Hop Off Bus" in many of the cities we have visited.  The bus is a red double-decker that stops at all of the major interesting stops in a city.  You get off at any of the stops, visit, and then get back on to ride to the next stop.  While riding, commentary gives the riders information and history of the area.  Anyway, we took the bus and did the complete route, getting the skinny on the city.  We sat on the top in the sunshine and thoroughly enjoyed Charles' comments, jokes and information.  Mardi Gras finished a week ago, but the city has not completely cleaned up yet.  We went by cemeteries, here they bury people above ground. 

Another part of the tour showed us the Mississippi River.

We were driving down St. Charles Avenue, the route of the Mardi Gras parades.  Beads decorated all of the trees and lamps.  We were able to collect some of the beads off of the trees, so have real Mardi Gras souvenirs.
     We ended the tour at the French Market where we munched on alligator sausage on a stick while inspecting the wares in the market.  We sipped cafe au lait and ate beignets at Cafe du Monde. 

What a treat!
     More people are arriving in the city for the weekend, so the street bands are more prevalent.  On a walk down Royal Street, we encountered dixieland bands on every block.  What a treat!  Each one was excellent.
     We walked the levee down in front of the Hilton Hotel.  The Creole Queen and The Natchez dock there, and are perfect to take a cruise upriver for an hour or two.  We did not have time, but hope to take the trip next time.
     The Mississippi River is busy.  There are large tankers filled with sea-cans heading up and down river.  There are also lots of tugboats pushing barges of sugar from the local sugarcane plantations.  The water is muddy and that is a good thing for the city.  All of that silt is how the delta was created.  Today, the city has built levees and drainage canals to help keep the water at bay.  The land around the river sits at about 3 feet above sea level.  Other areas, like the lake side or the north side are below sea level.  Hence, when the dikes at the lake end broke open during Hurricane Katrina, the area flooded quickly.  That is why the French Quarter was not damaged at all.
  The weekend is busy in NO, and a sunny day at the end of winter is no exception.  We wandered the Garden District and Magazine Street, stopping at Parasol's for a po' boy sandwich and then The Bull Dog to wet our whistle.  We also toured another above-ground cemetery in this district (Lafayette Cemetery).

The Garden District was named for the look of the area.  In NO history, New Orleans was originally settled by the French Catholics.  Then the Spanish took over for a while, and then the French got it back.  One had to be French speaking and catholic to live in the city.  When the Americans moved into the area because of their business connection to the Mississippi River, they had to sign a treaty with the Spanish and created the Garden District.  Here, the lots are bigger, with a house on half of the lot and a garden on the other.  The houses range from shotgun houses to mansions.

Shotgun house so named because you can shoot a shotgun in the front door and it will go out the back door without hitting anything.

     Saturday evening was crazy here.  The average age went down considerably.  We had dinner at Oceana's and sat at a table that looked out on the street.  There was every kind of dress from formal to grunge, all moving to the music on the streets and enjoying the lovely evening.  We had barbecued shrimp (the barbecue comes form the sauce the giant shrimp was cooked in) and the crab cakes.  For dessert, we shared the best bread pudding and rum praline sauce we have ever had.  The pudding was moist and the sauce was sugary.  Yum!!
     We spent Sunday out on River Road touring two plantations.  The first was a Creole plantation started in 1805 called Laura Plantation.  The house was not what we think of as being a plantation house - it was not an antebellum house, but a two-story house with a big veranda and painted with lots of colours. 

The bottom floor was really for storage and to keep the house dry in case of flooding because the levee was not there when the house was first built.  The rooms were large and airy with each one having doors onto the veranda.  As the guide said - there was no electricity and air conditioning, so the houses were built to catch any breeze they could.  The Creole felt that the plantation houses were farm houses, so they were kept fairly plain while the town house was where they displayed their wealth.
     The grounds housed a variety of small buildings for chickens, cows and horses, machine storage, and slave quarters. 

This is a slave duplex.  There was a family housed on each side.

The house is no longer the hub of a working plantation so the buildings are all display, but close to original. 

Apparently if you dig down bellow this mound you would find a crawfish.

     Surrounding the property are, of course, fields of sugarcane.  They were planted in December, and will grow for almost one year before they are harvested and the juice boiled down to make molasses and sugar.
     We then drove down the road to Oak Alley. Built in 1830, it is famous for it 28 live oak trees that form an alley in the front of the house that leads down to the Mississippi River. 

It is an antebellum house where the house was built more as a home and so was built to display family wealth.  The original owner, Jacques Roman built the house to entice his young bride out of the French Quarter.  For its size, it does not have many rooms inside, however, the rooms are richly appointed and decorated.  This house features a large fan that is housed above the dining room table.  The fan was operated by a young slave whose job was keep the fan moving fast enough to keep the air moving, but slow enough to keep the candles glowing.  Quite the task.
     This plantation also has the slave quarters,

Each of these duplexes would house a slave family.

and also included a civil war general's tent.  The generals lived well in the field.
     We arrived back in time to eat at a different Oceana's restaurant.  This time we had Charbroiled oysters, gumbo and catfish la Fouche, or blackened catfish with a wine sauce that included battered shrimp and fresh crawfish over a bed of jambalaya.  It was all delicious so we walked a bit of the Quarter before heading back to our hotel.
     Monday mornings are slow in New Orleans, but were up early to meet a gentleman from Wyndham for breakfast before walking the river again to enjoy the water traffic.  Today was foggy, so the boats seemed to float up the river.  We drive back to Orlando tomorrow before flying home early on the 24th.  Our time here is over for now, but we will be back.  The friendly people, the safe streets, the music and the great food are already calling us back.