Gulf Coast
Leaving Florida several days ahead of Hurricane Ian, we ventured along the gulf coast with extra time and no set plans. Thanks to the recommendation of our friends familiar with the area, we landed at Gulf State Park Campground, in Alabama, for several days. Perfectly situated across the street from a 3.5 mile stretch of a white, sandy Gulf beach, the campground was expansive and full of amenities. While we typically prefer more rustic and remote camping on our shorter trips, at this stage of our roadtrip we appreciate shower and laundry facilities as much as easy trail access and good views!
Because of the relative closeness of the hurricane and its counterclockwise trajectory, the normally hot, humid air was pleasantly drier and cooler than is typical, as the moisture was drawn away from that part of the coast. The water was warm and the serene sunset views drew us back each night.
Louisiana
After the restful days along the coast, we continued west and gave ourselves one full day to explore New Orleans. Staying at a swanky hotel in the Garden District, we made the most of our time and convenient location! We wandered around the Garden District by foot and traveled into the French Quarter and back via the streetcar. We devoured delicious food for every meal, savored the warm, melt-in-your-mouth beignets while people watching in Jackson Square, strolled through the market and the Louis Armstrong Park, and ambled between folks and trash along Bourbon Street. As Andrew and I were soaking in the culture and history, the kids were vacillating between sugar highs and utter fatigue!
The real reason we were in Louisiana though, was to visit our friends in Lafayette! We met up with them during a busy weekend and yet were fortunate to fit in a lot of wonderful, quality time together. They led us on a bike tour through downtown and the University campus where we visited the gators and saw fleets of turtles! We learned just how delicious po’ boys are (the bread!) and did not shy away from several doubles ping pong matches.
Anyone else remember the pegboard you had to climb up from way-back gym class? Well, their local climbing gym has one and on an incline to make you feel even weaker! The kids (& a few adults!) got serious about seeing who could make it up the furthest and the battle for bragging rights started in earnest. Between the actual climbing and the peg board we all came away with new blisters and good memories.
Northward bound
It was time for us to head back into the northern latitudes but before we said goodbye to the South, we made a stop at Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. This park was very strange to us given how different it is from all of the others we have been to. Bordered on one side by a long row of historical bathhouses, the park is in the middle of town itself. The adjacent wooded land is also protected and criss-crossed with 26 miles of trails. We only had time enough to tour the Visitor Center bathhouse, a quick stop at the nation’s sole national park brewery, and walk along the Grand Promenade, situated behind the bathhouses.
A dip into the natural springs would have been lovely, but the sun was setting and stomachs were growling-it was time to head out and set up camp along the scenic shores of Lake Ouachita.
LOVE the pics on this one.