New Orleans/FL Trip (Day 9 - Hammon, LA - New Orleans, LA

We are in New Orleans. We arrived this morning about 9:30 am and checked in to the Good Sam RV site at the University of New Orleans Stadium RV park. The park is not fancy, but has full-hook ups (no TV). There are about 50 RVs here from all over the U.S. and Canada.

After checking in, we drove into downtown for lunch. The area was still pretty easy to get to as the Super Bowl parade was not going to start until 5:00 pm local time. We had a nice lunch at a restaurant near Jackson Square, then went back to the RV park for the welcome and orientation briefing at 2:00 pm. It loooks like they have everything pretty well organized. The events and logistical coordination are being managed by a local travel agent/professional tour director and there is a couple who are the on-site coordinators.

The evening event, dinner and a masquerade party began 7:00 pm. Everyone was encouraged to wear a costume and almost everyone did (including us). Some of them were elaborate and very well done. The buffet dinner was O.K., an open bar, and a live band playing "oldies but goodies". We made it to almost 9:30 pm and are now back in the RV.

The locals are still pretty pumped up about the at Saints winning the Super Bowl, and there was a lot of "Who Dat?" going on both at the party tonight and around town this afternoon. Everyone is saying this may one of the best Mardi Gras in a long time with all the excitement about the Saints and what may be cool but fairly decent weather - although some rain is predicted for Thursday. The weather today was cloudy in the morning and very cold and windy. It cleared up this afternoon but it is still cold and very windy. Not exactly parka weather, but not shorts and t-shirts either.

We will have a bus tour of New Orleans tomorrow morning, followed by a jazz buffet brunch at The Court Of The Two Sisters Sisters Restaurant in the French Quarter. The first Mardi Gras parade is tomorrow night (The Krewe Of Ancient Druids Parade). We will travel by bus to the parade route and have reserved bleacher seating to watch the parade. So far, so good, but we are hoping for a little warmer weather this week.