Jazz fest, crawfish, family fun time, and going out in the bayou; Southern Louisiana you have done us good. We really were blessed for this portion of the trip by friends, family, and family friends who made our New Orleans and beyond adventure especially memorable. Not only did we get the true French Quarter experience but also saw the real southern side of life. First things first though, the recap. We left Memphis and unbeknown to us missed some of the worst tornadoes the south has seen a in while. We arrived in Abita Springs (about 45 min north of NOLA) where we spent the night. The house was beautiful, and we really cannot thank Mr. Jim Patton and his wife enough for not only putting us up here but letting us stay in his NO apartment, which just happened to be right on Jackson Square. The next few day were essentially a blur of drinks, dancing, music, roaming the quarter, more drinks, eating, more eating, and everything else one associates with drinking, dancing, and eating. Some highlights definitely included hanging out with Maplewood Cronie Monica Kelly (Big Up!), Kate's red beans and rice, Frenchman Street (our nightly hangout spot), our new friend Penelope the dog (not pictured sadly), and Wyclef Jean (at Jazz Fest).
Special attention and mention must also be made for the people who really made this leg special Elyse Maculay, Rae Poplin, and the whole Poplin Family. Rae's dad, Wayne, took us all out on his fishing boat to the "Camp" in Bayou Signette. I had the big, ie., the only catch of the day, but as we soon learned just being around wayne, out in the bayou was all we needed for a good time (a few miller high lifes' didnt hurt either). Please take note, if you get a chance to go out to to a "camp" in the bayou, always accept, also make sure to apply copious amounts of sunscreen (learn from our mistakes). We were lucky enough to get together with Wayne, as well as the majority/entirety of the Poplin family for an ol' fashioned crawfish boil a few days later. Its hard to put to words how much crawfish and miller high life were consumed (see video at end). However, once again i must express our gratitude to the Poplin family. Sadly Katie and i had to move on, despite requests that we start construction on an addition to the house for us to live in, and we are now sitting in our Hostel in Austin looking forward to some good vintage shopping, some swimming, bats, and brisket. Much love to all. - Jason
Katie says shes sleepy, FYI
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| Abita Springs House |
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| Tortoise on hike near abita house |
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| NOLA apartment on Jackson Square |
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| Katie on Stairs, 4th floor apt. |
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| Jackson Square |
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| Out on the boat |
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| Rae taking appropriate safety measures |
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| Catch of the Day |
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| Solitude on the Bayou |
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| Elyse driving the boat (coast guard rescue not pictured) |
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| Thats good eating! (Poplin Pond) |
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| TURTLE! (caught by Kate AKA Turtle Queen) |
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| Jazz Fest Hunger |
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| Jazz fest love |
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| Jazz Fest sun relief |
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| Jazz Fest 10 beers deep |
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| Frenchman street partying down |
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| To New Friendships |
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| Typical quarter architecture |
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| CRAWFISH! |
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| Rae, Elyse, + Mom and Dad (our hosts) |
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| Satisfaction |
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| Cleaning the ole girl off |
