We Be Trippin': The Great DIS-nee Road Trip

[Mrs. Fleagle]

I'm here....I'll get caught up, but loving it so far! Back from NY so I'll go back a few pages......

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

I'm here....I'll get caught up, but loving it so far! Back from NY so I'll go back a few pages......

Welcome back, Mrs. Fleagle!

Please feel free to post photos and details here of your visit to New York City -- sort of a mini "trip report"! I know you recently uploaded some stuff to "The Adventurosity Club" thread, but we can always arrange for the DIS-nee Resort Family's 'copter to make a quick flyby through this thread, too!

I figure the more destinations on this road trip, the merrier, so... if anyone takes a summer vacation or quickie trip that they'd like to share (such as Marshay's recent trek to Hershey Park or the DISgeeks family's visit to Sesame Place), please feel free to make use of our handy helicopter. 'Just remember to refuel before returning it to the "We Be Trippin'" thread! (Common courtesy, dude!!) Oh, and you may want to clear it first through 3guysandagal, our official Director of Transportation!

 

[Disneymommom]

Well I got up and was getting ready to head out the door and what do you know, I had unexpected company!

Needless to say I didn’t come right out!!! I thought it best to stay inside and wait until my unexpected guest thought no one was home and went away. LOL!

I thought it would be fun if we all went down to Grand Isle. It’s way down on the tip of Louisiana on the Gulf. It is a great place to camp or fish and nice for a vacation home. It’s really a quiet little area, very relaxing. I thought we could all use a little relaxation as we’ve been doing a lot of running around these past few days.

Here’s the bridge going into Grand Isle, it literally is a little island and you go over a lot of water just to get to it.

Not to bring everyone down but this is a shot of it during Katrina, you can really see what Katrina did down there. Not much of it is above the water there.

Well lets head on over and get to that island now. We used to fish off the pier, which was actually the old highway onto the island before they made a new, more solid one. This is all that is left of it now, unfortunately.

I’ll show you some remnants of Katrina which are still obvious today. We thought it was interesting, though sad, to see. Here’s a car that is still sitting there just off the side of the road that they never cleaned up.

And here is a rooftop that is quite a ways away from the house it was actually on, it is in the marshes.

Lots of houses that still need tons of work and there are so many people still living in FEMA trailers there as well.

Here is a house that is still laying on its side.

But on a brighter note there are some gorgeous homes which have been repaired and/or rebuilt. They are now up a lot higher on the stilts or whatever they call them, lol, and they have some heavy duty storm shutters on them now, which is something they should all have.

Another view of the same house.

Well that is the not so good part of Grand Isle, tomorrow we will move on to the good things and have some fun. This was very humbling but next it will be time for fun!

 

[Marshay]

They have crawfish farms here but yes they do go get them in creeks and believe it or not you see a lot of the locals getting them out of the drainage ditches along the side of the road!!!

What??? Really??? That just sounds so bad!!

Loved the amusement park Mommom!

Sorry to hear you fell asleep at your desk! You must have been really tired!

The Kent House tour was cool! I especially liked the caption on the one building that "they didn't know what it was built for"!

 

[Circusgirl]

Hey, Circusgirl: Could you provide us with a link to your site? Also, do you have any video footage available? (I bet it would be a lot of fun to watch! )

I remember waaaaaaay back in one of our earlier threads -- possibly the first one -- you mentioned parading through the grocery store with your band and how silly it seemed that folks sometimes didn't even stop and stare. Sort of a "ho-hum ... doesn't this always happen?" mentality!?!

*****​

Oh, wait! I did a little digging, and I think I've managed to unearth some of the stuff myself. (I hope you don't mind... )


*New Old Time Chautauqua - Strengthening Communities with Education, Entertainment and Laughter

*Jambalaya Tour Journal

*The story behind Circusgirl's CMO video application:
(I managed to find her earlier post, and I've cut-and-pasted the text below. )



Source: "Diser's for CMO!" thread, page #133, post #1987

*I also wanted to include a link to Circusgirl's CMO video application on the Dream CMO site, but -- sadly -- it appears folks' entries are no longer accessible. Bummer!!


Hey, Circusgirl: 'Think you can include a stop at one of your recent/upcoming performances during your portion of the Virtual Road Trip?? Fascinating stuff! You must have a blast!!

Thanks, DISgeeks! I will try to bring you all along to an event! It is a ridiculous amount of fun. The people are amazing, the work is really successful, and we get to do spectacular things. One of my other favorite band moments was when we performed outside Nevada City, California. We were staying in a camp facility, and did a show for the camp next door one night. Instead of marching the band down to the road to the next camp, we got rowed and paddled in a fleet of little boats across the lake between the camps, playing and laughing and playing. Only one person fell in.

Disneymommom - Thanks for sharing the photos of how much remains to be done to restore your special place. I feel lucky to have been there to experience the incredible spirit with which people meet the daily challenges they still face.

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Instead of marching the band down to the road to the next camp, we got rowed and paddled in a fleet of little boats across the lake between the camps, playing and laughing and playing. Only one person fell in.

HA! Funny story! (I love the way your account reads: "Only one person fell in.")

Soooo... What -- might I ask -- did that one [un]lucky person do to fall overboard?!? And, did his/her musical instrument survive the plunge? (I'm assuming that nobody got hurt... )

 

[Disneymommom]

What??? Really??? That just sounds so bad!!

Loved the amusement park Mommom!

Sorry to hear you fell asleep at your desk! You must have been really tired!

The Kent House tour was cool! I especially liked the caption on the one building that "they didn't know what it was built for"!

Yes it was all true Marshay, people really do get crawfish out of drainage dishes, of course that is just certain people, but I think it's gross!!!

Wasn't that funny about not knowing why the building was built.

 

[Circusgirl]

HA! Funny story! (I love the way your account reads: "Only one person fell in.")

Soooo... What -- might I ask -- did that one [un]lucky person do to fall overboard?!? And, did his/her musical instrument survive the plunge? (I'm assuming that nobody got hurt... )

Fortunately it was a person without an instrument, and he actually went in near the shore so it was easy for him to get out. He had his camera in his pocket and it survived the dunking!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

The Kent House tour was cool! I especially liked the caption on the one building that "they didn't know what it was built for"!

Wasn't that funny about not knowing why the building was built.

Well.... At least it was honest!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Fortunately it was a person without an instrument, and he actually went in near the shore so it was easy for him to get out. He had his camera in his pocket and it survived the dunking!

Phew!! (That's good!)

We were at a Memorial Day Picnic last month, and one of the guests walked backwards off a pier while snapping photos of her kids. Needless to say, she was stunned -- and soaked! She handled it all with a sense of humor, though. No word on how her camera fared...

Edited to Add: My little guy (DS2) still mentions it randomly from time to time. (It's amazing the things that little kids observe and retain... Maybe a little bit scary, actually! ) He'll say, "That girl fell in the water!" and it takes me a second to remember what he's recounting.

 

[Disneymommom]

We brought the camper down behind the bus so hope you all can crowd in, it will be tight but cozy. For those of you who prefer your privacy, you can stay here at a local hotel.

Come on in, we are going to have a turkey dinner in the state park in Grand Isle. Hope you all like turkey and the usual fixins.

If ya'll are done eating now let's go walk it off on the beach. The state park / campground is just over the dune to the beach and the Gulf of Mexico.

Here's DH & DD (Disney Dog) on the beach.

Here's a little gazebo on the beach in case you want to sit and watch the waves roll in.

Now I know I told you all that this was our state bird

LMAO Look how fat with someone's blood he is!!!! But seriously he is not our state bird, this is really our state bird!

They really are fascinating birds and so big. I hope you enjoy watching them as much as we do.

 

[Disneymommom]

What do you say we all go fishing? You can get some really big fish here. They have these big Bull Red's and they are absolutely huge and then there are a lot of Sheep's Head and they are the funniest fish, they have actual teeth like a human, a set of uppers and lowers. I'm not sure I can get up close and personal so you can see their teeth but am going to try.

This is a big Bull Red that DH caught off the pier at the State Park. This pier was destroyed during Katrina but has recently been rebuilt even bigger and better.

Here I am after having just pulled in a Sheeps Head but you can't see it's face, I'm too chicken to touch it, lol.

We decided to get down off the pier and take a ride up the island and we found a little spot for fishing off the side of the road. I hope you catch some fish here with us. YOu can feel free to keep yours and put them in the cooler to take with you on the journey but we usually just throw ours back or give them to someone fishing near by who keeps their fish to eat.

As you can see DH caught the smallest fish for the day so he wins the prize, LOL.

Finish up using the rest of your worms and then when you are all ready, we'll head on out of Grand Isle and work out way up to New Orleans.

See you back on the bus!

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

Come on in, we are going to have a turkey dinner in the state park in Grand Isle. Hope you all like turkey and the usual fixins.

Impressive, Disneymommom! (You didn't have to go to all that trouble on our account. ... But, I'm glad you did! )

And, are those tall glasses of sweet tea at the dinner table? (Maaaan, Mr. DISgeeks is going to go nuts! He's a big fan of the stuff. In fact, he's such a sweet tooth that his friends and family nicknamed him, "The Fly." He's the only person I know who dumps several sugar packets into each tiny serving of hot tea at a Chinese restaurant. I tell him he's embarrassing his parents... They're Taiwanese. )

 

[DISgeeksfromDC]

when you are all ready, we'll head on out of Grand Isle and work out way up to New Orleans.

See you back on the bus!

I'm looking forward to it.

Do you think the folks there will throw a big parade in our honor?!?

I've been to New Orleans a few times on business (for cable-industry conventions), and it seems like they'll create just about any excuse to throw a parade...

"Let the good times roll."

 

[Disneymommom]

I know it is a little off season but hey, when in New Orleans you have to celebrate Mardi Gra. And remember, whatever happens in New Orleans, stays in New Orleans. Remember ladies, you don't have to "participate in the antics" to get your beads! People will throw them to you anyway. Hey but if you choose to "participate" feel free, no one is going to tell when we all get home!

Here I am watching a parade over on the West Bank (well when it was there). It's much more family oriented on the West Bank as opposed to down on Bourbon Street.

Here's a little view of part of Bourbon Street. It can get crazy here but it's a lot of fun.

Another shot of Bourbon Street

DH and I on Bourbon Street

Here's DH and a friend of ours with a couple ladies that were really "into Mardi Gra" so I took their photo with them to remember them by.

Tomorrow, after we all recover from those Hurricanes, LOL, we'll have a look around New Orleans before we head out!!!

Off you all go on your own, enjoy the rest of Mardi Gra but remember too many Hurricanes and you are not going to feel like touring around tomorrow. So goodnight everyone!

 

[Marshay]

Wow -- that is a huge fish!! Before I saw the picture, I"m thinking maybe 12-18"...then I see that sucker and boy, he's a big one!

I never heard of the sheep fish before -- with teeth!!

Oh, the turkey dinner was delish!! I had to fast today for some medical tests so coming back to that wonderful food was just what I needed!

Oh, Mardi Gras...never been there for that but did enjoy New Orleans for a telecommunications show (hey DISGeeks: we might have been there the same time! Ok, prob not)

Oh, and nice beads!

 

[Suz D]

Hi Guys!

I tried to reply last night but the boards were down for a bit. Will someone send me a quick e-mail when you are leaving for the next destination? I have a few little things that I pulled together at the very beginning of the RT and I'd like to show you just a couple of places/treats as you are all racing by.

I also posted a quick update on our lives on the Adventurosity thread.

Miss being with all of you!

Suz D

 

[Disneymommom]

Impressive, Disneymommom! (You didn't have to go to all that trouble on our account. ... But, I'm glad you did! )

And, are those tall glasses of sweet tea at the dinner table? (Maaaan, Mr. DISgeeks is going to go nuts! He's a big fan of the stuff. In fact, he's such a sweet tooth that his friends and family nicknamed him, "The Fly." He's the only person I know who dumps several sugar packets into each tiny serving of hot tea at a Chinese restaurant. I tell him he's embarrassing his parents... They're Taiwanese. )

Yes they are big glasses of Sweet Tea!! we love our iced tea here. In fact I've drank iced tea my entire life, it's my favorite beverage!!!! I'll send a glass to Mr. DISgeeks!!! LOL!

 

[Disneymommom]

Wow -- that is a huge fish!! Before I saw the picture, I"m thinking maybe 12-18"...then I see that sucker and boy, he's a big one!

I never heard of the sheep fish before -- with teeth!!

Oh, the turkey dinner was delish!! I had to fast today for some medical tests so coming back to that wonderful food was just what I needed!

Oh, Mardi Gras...never been there for that but did enjoy New Orleans for a telecommunications show (hey DISGeeks: we might have been there the same time! Ok, prob not)

Oh, and nice beads!

HI Marshay! I hope the turkey dinner was to your liking. Glad I could be of service after you fasted. How did your tests go? I hope all went well!!!

Mardi Gra is really fun, I'm not so sure I'd go again after Katrina as it is not the same in New Orleans and I've heard it isn't safe any more but that's only what I heard.

 

[Disneymommom]

Well now that Mardi Gra is over, there are a few things you need to see in the city before we move on.

You must stop and hear some of their famious musicians, they are really good!!! I enjoy just sitting around listening to them.

There are always street musicians around too so you can pretty much enjoy music every where you go in New Orleans!

Here's a nice little place to dine in New Orleans.

Anyone up for a 3 hour tour? No, the Skipper is not our captain and Gilligan is no where around, so no worries, lol, we WILL be back in 3 hours. The boat goes out into the Mississippi River and you can look back towards the city and see that you are actually sitting up higher than the city! It's scary to think the water is that much higher than land but as we all know now, post Katrina, that is very true.

Here's a statue of Andrew Jackson, in Jackson Square on Decatur Street in New Orleans.

This too is in Jackson Square. It is the St. Louis Cathedral

Dr. Wagner's Honey Swamp Tours for those of you that want to get back to nature, lol, but remember, please do not feed the alligators!