Sunny Arizona

We finally arrived at our winter home (for 3 weeks anyway) in El Mirage, AZ northwest of Phoenix. The trip from New Orleans went well but was a long drive of approx. 1400 miles over 4 days broken up with a brief stop in Hoston to visit with French friends living part time in Houston, Paulette & Gerard Alis. It was worth the trip as we are swimming almost every day in a heated pool under sunny skies and 80 degrees. The only problem was this weekend of rain, but next week is expected to be warm and sunny.

We're in Nawlins! Who Dat!

Gisele with Capt. Guidry (The Cajunman Swamp Tours)

Preservation Hall, New Orleans

That's how they say it here in New Orleans! We're here with our French friends Yvette & Georges Teyssier & our friend from New Mexico Margaret Brasuel. It's still a week before Mardi Gras but the town is crowded and crazy because of that and it's football team, the Saints, being in the Super Bowl Feb. 7.

Georges teaching English to Gisele & Yvette

We've been taking in some early parades as well as going into the bayou with a Cajun swamp boat to see wildlike such as egrets & alligators in their natural habitat. We also visited several plantations along the Mississippi River.

The cuisine is a mixture of French, Creole, Cajun and fried whatever. It's very tasty but not for those on a diet or trying to limit their cholesterol.

It's a great area to visit and we took day trips to Lafayette and Houma into Cajun country, listening to the music and partaking in the local specialties. Yes, we all tried the fried alligator at Mulates restaurant near Lafayette.

Oak Alley Plantation

 

Bill with Blaine Kern who's company makes most of the mardi Gras floats

(It was  a very rainy day!)