Carlsbad Caverns

Hokay so we finally make it to New Mexico. Which overall was my favorite state ever. It was just gorgeous and everywhere went everyone was so nice. Our first stop was Carlsbad Caverns. The first night we got in we went to the campground which Jeanette picked online and it was the most unlike camping place ever. There was a pool, wifi, full bathrooms! Ha not what I expected. 

haha

 The next morning we drove to the caverns and we saw a cactus! Ok I was excited, anyways…You also start to see that my new found favorite thing to do throughout the trip to take photos of Jeanette taking photos. I swear if you have no intent of ever traveling anywhere you still must go to Carlsbad Caverns. Photos cannot do this place justice but I will still post them. 

 When we decided to take this trip I purchased the National Parks Annual Pass (link). I recommend doing this if you plan to go to more than four parks in the year because the pass is $80 and everyone in your vehicle gets in. It works in everywhere we went and like in Carlsbad some of the tours were free with it. We did Kings Palace guided tour and then the two self guided tours which took us about six hours including lunch.

We went back to the camp site and had dinner then went back to Carlsbad to watch the bat flight program which was kind of creepy and boring for me but Jeanette enjoyed it. Then we raced back to the camp because a huge storm was off in the distance. Tomorrow my favorite tourist trap…Roswell.

Everything is Bigger in Texas...Really

Driving to Dallas, TX was long and pretty boring…we stopped at a Mexican food place on the way which I got food poisoning from awesome! We were primarily going through Texas to see my friends Dani and George who just moved for a job…they live in Irving outside of Dallas. Dallas traffic was the worst of the whole trip, seriously. I didn’t actually care for Texas truthfully but we were only in that area so I guess I shouldn’t judge.

The first gas station we stopped at in Texas was interesting it was full of beef jerky (weird) and Jeanette is vegetarian HA. The lady working there announced to the whole store welcome to Texas where we beat our kids…Right, ok. 

Dani and George’s apartment was awesome. I got sicker than hell and Jeanette had the best sleep of her life. I have never heard he snore all the years rooming with her until this night. 

los colinas mustangs

Dani and I love to kill zombies on the Wii and we did that. Jeanette was not amused that we can play games for hours. 

Driving to New Mexico from Texas was neat cause there was a giant windmill farm which I love (I am all about windmills). We also out ran a tornado and saw a tumble weed! Excellent…

oh crap

there's a tumble weed there

Epic Last Day in New Orleans

Oh snap the adventure continues on my 3^rd and final day in New Orleans. So in the morning we packed our stuff and went to a plantation outside the city, Oak Alley. The drive was gorgeous and the plantation amazing. We yet again lucked out and got an awesome tour guide there as well. We had lunch there also shrimp gumbo (yum) and Jeanette had the best mint julep of her life (her words). Oak Alley

laaarge bridge

Then we went back and moved into our other hostel the Marquette House. It was very nice and we even stayed in the dorms! Jeanette and I went on to dinner at La Bayou on Bourbon Street. SO AWESOME! Our waiter was ridiculously fun and even offered to take photos of us outside! Amazing food a must try! After dinner when went to Pat O'Briens piano bar link which there was a wait for but totally worth it! Two hurricanes later and I was set for the night…

Overall New Orleans was definitely a place I would return to. The food was excellent everywhere and the culture and atmosphere are something everyone should experience once. As for the damage done by Katrina, you can still see evidence of the destruction but still the spirit of New Orleans is still there. Next day long drive!