"Happy, Happy, Happy!"

"Hey Jack!"   So, we decided to try and visit THE duck call!!  

We were only an hour from West Monroe, LA., so we drove on over to visit the headquarters of the HUGELY famous show, "Duck Dynasty!"  

The family just cracks us up!  We love it all.
The simplicity.  The beards.  The southern food.  The way they make fun at each other.

It's all good. :)

They also know how to make a statement.

Todd tried to sneak in the warehouse, but it just wasn't happenin'

We were hoping to meet some of the family, but this was the next best thing. ;)

Even on cardboard they look cool.

Their store was CRAZY busy!  Yeah for them!  I hope they have many, many more seasons in the future.

Blessings,

Steph

Bayou Segnette State Park, Westwego, LA. - Campground Review

We stayed at Bayou Segnette for 6 days, while visiting the New Orleans area.  I ABSOLUTELY recommend this park!  Although, there are no full hook-ups, it is THE PLACE to stay. ;)

Price -$26/night for electric and water and a dump station (in the winter, it is less $$)

Amenities - HUGE sites, trails, free laundry (although the machines were broke :( ), a water park, and only 20 minutes from the Algiers Ferry (which is free), that takes you to Canal Street in New Orleans.

We felt safe here, and it was a quiet, clean place to stay.  I would definitely stay here again, if we were in the area.

Blessings,
Steph

Audubon Acres RV Park, Abbeville, LA. - Campground Review

If you want to visit Avery Island in Louisiana, then you need to stay at Audubon Acres!  The owner is so helpful and kind, and just so genuine.  It is a very small rv park, but on private property, in the country.  We felt very safe and liked the simplicity of the park, compared to the busy, traffic-filled city parks.

Price - $10/ night for full hook-ups, using our Passport America discount!  Love it!

Amenities - none, except a huge field for the kids to play. ;)

We would definitely stay here again!  Tell Joe we sent you. :)


Blessings,
Steph

New Orleans - Jazz Festival!

There are SOO many things I love about traveling full time.  One of the most fun parts of this lifestyle, are the 'coincidences.'   Here we are, traveling on the Algiers Ferry to New Orleans for the day, after we just found out that today is the 30th Anniversary of the Jazz Festival!

Who knew?!

All along Canal Street and the Riverwalk were vendors and booths galore!

New Orleans is NOT a family friendly city, however, it does possess a culture that I wanted my children to experience.

Everywhere you turn, there is Jazz music playing.

The history of the city is also celebrated.  Here is Master General Andrew Jackson's memorial.

St. Louis Cathedral is the oldest in America.

Established as a parish in 1720, it is just stunning.

So many people just sitting around, eating and listening to Jazz. :)

The French Quarter has so much style and character.

If you visit New Orleans, you also HAVE to eat their yummy, beignets!!

As we stood in line, we listened to more Jazz. ;)

Oh, so awesome!  We had powdered sugar EVERYWHERE!  It was lovely. :)

Then, off to the famous, Mother's Restaurant!  Yee Haw!

I wanted the kids to eat REAL, AUTHENTIC, Cajun, dishes.
So, we ordered Gumbo, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee, Creole, and a couple of Poy-boy Sandwiches!  Our waitress was so great, she also brought out some free bread and desserts!

The etouffee was definitely the family favorite!

Another 'site' to see is the above ground cemeteries.  So different...so creepy....

I am glad that we ventured to New Orleans.  We had an enjoyable time; listening to music, eating yummy cajun food and soaking in the sunshine.


Blessings,
Steph

State #27!! - Louisiana!!

"On the Road Again......"

Our first stop in Louisiana is Abbeville.  This is a very small town, just a few miles from Avery Island, LA.  We ABSOLUTELY, positively, with out question, HAD to visit......

The Tabasco Factory!!  Yee Haw!

Every single bottle of Tabasco sauce, made in over 150 different countries all over the world, are made right here, in this very factory!  You could actually smell the sauce outside!

Mr. McIlhenny came up with the recipe on his own, in his own home and decided to start selling it in local stores, after his friends encouraged him.

Little did he know then, that today, he would produce over 700,000 bottles A DAY!  WOW!

This is just the beginning of the days batch. :)

Yep.  We're a spicy-food, kind of family.  ;)

After a short film and a walk through the bottling tour, we ventured to the Tabasco Country Store.

Would you believe that they have a counter full of FREE SAMPLES!!

Not only did we try all the sauces, hot sauces, dressings and spices......

But, we also tried their chili and ICE CREAM!  Whoo hoo!

Seriously.  Have YOU ever tried Raspberry-Chipotle or Jalapeno-Vanilla ice cream?!

Too funny!  It is cold and tastes like the yummy flavor, but then it leaves your throat on fire. ;)

Parker couldn't decide if he liked it or not.  HA!


We had a great time and are so thankful to be on the road, learning and growing together as a family.

Blessings,
Steph