NOLA Bound

Yes, yes, yes. I know most of my adventures are Florida based but every now and then a girl has to go home, see the family and get back to her roots. It was that time. After a loooooong drive in (plan for about 10 hours from Central Florida) we had a nice visit with friends and family! I never get to everything but it is sure fun to try!

A girl has to eat! Yum!!! Crawfish, mushrooms and potatoes. Yes, please. 

And nothing wrong with some beignets and cafe au lait from Cafe Du Monde. 

There has to be a trip to the French Quarter to soak in the city and view the cathedral.

Finally was able to see the George Rodrigue gallery full of Blue Dogs. 

  

Another Finally!!! Celebration in the Oaks at City Park with Mr. Bingle. 

 

Because one view of the Cathedral is never enough. 

Catching some live music in Jackson Square. 

 

Even the cemeteries are beautiful. 

 

Yep, more food. Just look at that gumbo.

 

More lights. This time in Lafreniere Park.

 

 

Always room for more beignets!

 

Finally got in to Storyland to see some of the spots I played when I was a child. This was my favorite. 

 

More lights. This unicorn was actually in a fountain I played in as a kid. 

Ahhhh, the beautiful carousel in City Park. Always beautiful. 

Well, those are just a few of my memories from going home for the holidays. If you're ever in need of NOLA suggestions just let me know. Best city ever. 

As Chris Rose once said, 

“Dear America,

I suppose we should introduce ourselves: We're South Louisiana...You probably already know that we talk funny and listen to strange music and eat things you'd probably hire an exterminator to get out of your yard. 
We dance even if there's no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly,we're suspicious of others who don't.” 

Lights in St. Augustine

So we were just sitting around and trying to think of something to do. The kid says, "St. Augustine." I followed that up with, "Lights!" Moments later it was, "Let's Go!" So we did.

It actually was perfect timing since it was already the afternoon and well, you need it to be dark to see the lights. It is roughly a two hour drive for us to get up to St. Augustine and it was perfectly timed. The weather was beautiful and chilly making it feel even more like the holidays.

I mean, take a look....

I'm always on the search for a Geocache in the area and St. Aug doesn't disappoint. This one qualifies as the smallest one we have ever found. It feels a little like finding a hidden treasure. Good stuff. And the street musician playing for us as we searched was quite awesome as well. 

The buildings are beautiful and the architecture is superb everywhere you look. 

The statues and history around St. Augustine are fun to read up on as well. It's not the 4th grade field trip capital of Florida for nothing!

It's getting DARK!  Look at the lights... everywhere!!!

This display wins my vote for the best decorations in the city!

And last but not least we made a stop inside the oldest pharmacy. I was able to see it all before the wax museum purchased the building but the last time we went it was closed. I am glad to see that they have maintained the original shelves and items that were in some of the pharmacy. It's fun to just stand there and read the labels. I mean, there was even a suppository mold. Try explaining that one to the kids. Interesting.