Every state has a city whose name can give a perception of things to come. New Orleans is one of them. We had an enormous problem with so much available and only enough time to hit the highlights. Well, Gulf Streamers have always been able to handle that problem, and we were no different.

Thursday evening members met at the Bayou Segnette State Park Campground on the West Bank of the Mississippi River. For dinner, we gathered at the Siracusa sisters’ rig for some mighty fine deep fried meat pies with a side of chicken pasta salad and corn on the cob along with chips and dessert. Another case of good food and fellowship you can’t beat. It’s good to meet and greet again.

Friday morning, and let the adventure begin. We leave at 9 a.m. for a visit to the D-Day Museum. This is a must if you ever go to New Orleans. Even after Katrina and local vandalism, New Orleans brought the D-Day Museum back better-than-ever. There’s never enough time to do and see it all as lunch cometh and we break to a local café/bar for a great meal. Then it’s back to the trolley track for a scenic ride west through the garden district. Here you see some of the most elegant historical homes with finely manicured yards. We travel to the west end of the line only to fine out at this point you are forced to step from the train and find out after they reverse the seats and the conductor moves to the opposite end - YOU MUST PAY AGAIN TO BOARD THE TRAIN AND RIDE BACK! Go figure.

No matter though because a short car ride across Canal Street and we’re in the French Quarter. Here our first stop is Cafe Du Monde for what else but coffee and beignets, the state doughnut of Louisiana. To our surprise, we arrive just in time to watch Tommy Lee during the filming of part of an upcoming made-for-TV Drama. Tommy two tables over, then into a horse drawn carriage, and running up and down the stairs across from Jackson Square. Enough Tommy - so we spread out and improve the economy of New Orleans throughout the French Quarter including the French Market. It has been a long day so back to the campground where the group gathers again for great food with the Siracusa sisters before lights out.

Following breakfast, we line up to caravan to tour Mardi Gras World where you can find both old and new floats, figures, and costumes. Here we see how over time float design and composition have changed. From candles to fiber lighting - plaster to foam, all changes including both efficiency and safety. We learn the meaning of the Mardi Gras colors while gaining a better understanding of the history of New Orleans parades.

What’s next but another good meal and this one’s at the Texas Road House. Now we return to the campground and regroup with stayers and goers. Some stayed at the campground to rest while others joined Sandra Fleury for a tour of some of the neighborhoods where the levies breached during Katrina. More than two years later and the yards may be clean but the number of vacant houses with that eerie sight of a cross mark with numbers still exist. The new houses are built to new codes at higher levels while next door the house may not be corrected for years. Let us not forget these people in our prayers. When we arrive back at the campground, we gather at the sisters’ site and match wits with mother nature for an evening meal with a little of everything. When the wind dies down, dinner in done, and we all fade away for a good night’s sleep.

Sunday and it’s breakfast at Sharon and Roger’s rig. While under the influence of a great meal, we conduct our chapter meeting and resolve any pending old and new business. Morning turned to noon and it’s time again for each to pack for home. With New Orleans still in our rearview mirror, we’re already looking forward to our next rally.

Give us a call and join a great group for some kind of good time.

From the desk of the President - we hope to see at our next stop.

UPCOMING RALLIES 2008