Dance Dialogue New Orleans Day 2 March 25th

So here we are camped on the water, the sun is shining, life is good.  Let's kayak!  I picked this park in part because it has a boat launch and it was way cheaper (or should I say less expensive?) than the one with the highest ratings. We now realize that may be due to its location.  Anyway, we launch the kayak and head towards Lake Pontchartrain.  The sign says it's only 1000 yards up the canal.

Willie the Kayaking Wizard

Quickly we see we may have a problem getting to the lake!  Found out later they are building a lock.

ACCESS PROHIBITED
STAY BACK 380 FEET

But that's okay we can go to the Mississippi River instead.  Or maybe just towards it as we have no idea how far away it is.  Our view is a long cry from that of the Florida rivers and bayous! The marina across from our site is the most prosperous looking business we saw.

Fishing Dockside

Art at the Marina

A yacht almost ready
for its maiden voyage

And then . . .

In the distance on the other side of this bridge was a railroad track blocking our way to the Mississippi River.  One must have a marine radio to contact the tower for passage.  We'd gone far enough and turned for home.

We spent the rest of the day doing errands.  First we asked the office where we could get the truck washed.  The closest and newest car wash was mentioned but we were cautioned not to go there at night, BUT during the day it would be okay! We found it and it was a very busy place. We were probably the only white folks there. Truck washed, we then searched out a Home Depot but when we arrived it was "permanently closed".  So off we go to Lowe's again. This time Bob sees three police officers patrolling inside the store.  Three! And there was another in his vehicle parked just outside the door. That's enough to make me a little on the jumpy side.

Now I'm getting what the "naysayer" was trying to tell us. He said it was like going to Mexico and more than once suggested the only place to stay was the French Quarter RV Resort only two blocks from the French Quarter. But we'd already made our non-refundable reservations and I didn't want to pay over a hundred a night for the weekend. Blah, blah, blah...

On my things to do list was a visit to the Dog Bark at the City Park. It was listed on Go Pet Friendly.com but made note to plan in advance. What is that supposed to mean? It means that it is a "permit required" park. The application is THREE pages long and they list an annual cost of $43 on their website. I thought that wasn't very tourist friendly and promptly fired off an email:

My Message: We are visiting for 4 nights and staying at Pontchartrain RV Park. Very disappointed that you are not encouraging use of your park by tourists. We have been to many dog parks in different cities and this is the first time a permit is required in addition to a release form. Wow! Not good...

Their Message: Hi Kim, Actually you can buy a 3 day pass for $10 as long as your dog(s) are spay/neutered and up to date on shots. We would love to have you visit our dog park and often have out of towners.. Let me know if you are interested and I will help you through the process.

They want me to pay $10 so we can hang out for maybe an hour?  And don't forget I'd need help with the process!!!  But only on Monday through Friday.  Really? Seriously?

We decided to extend our stay though, so we could expand our knowledge of New Orleans with a City/Katrina tour. We'd already scheduled a swamp tour for day 3 and would now tour on day 4 as well.

Those stories and more when we return.  Sorry been watching too much TV news. Until next time...