New Orleans with friends

Phil and Chris took a short run down to New Orleans and left me behind to keep and eye on the RV.  I think they were worried that I'd cause some sort of trouble down there in the Big Easy that would result in my arrest and them missing their train.

How can you really get into trouble in a city with signs like these??

But I am ahead of myself.

Phil and Chris caught the train from Chicago to New Orleans, a 19 hr ride over night.  They had a little roomette which converted into 2 bunks for sleeping and included their meals which were tasty.  They could sit in the room, relax in the lounge, get a beer or snack in the cafe car, sleep, read or eat.  It was a really relaxing trip and they hope we can travel this way again.

 They were at the end of the train (what happened to the caboose?) and had to reverse out of Chicago Train Station.

Phil enjoys the scenery in the lounge car.

North of New Orleans there is a lot of water to cross.  We've also crossed a lot of water to the west of New Orleans (in the RV).

Once in New Orleans they caught up with our good friends from Fremantle, Max and Kay.

They did all the normal Bourbon Street shenanigans as well as renting a car to see a few things off the usual tourist route.  Cabela's, the big outdoor, hunting, fishing, camping ect store entertained everyone for a few hours and then an outlet mall for some bargain shopping and a visit to Walmart rounded out the day.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop is the oldest continuously operating pub in the US. It has been open since 1772.

 

Max found a rum distillary to tour, so the merry band of rum drinkers and wannabe pirates learned about converting molassas into rum.

 

Five days went by so quickly, and soon it was time to say farewell to Max and Kay and head back to Wisconsin.  Another nice train trip, but has the weather ever changed.  Time to find some warmer clothes!