NOLA summer 2011

ok, so we went to New Orleans again. We love the place. Amazing architecture, good eats, fun places, a river almost heaving its bounds, what could be better? About the Mississippi river, yes, it was historically high. Almost to the top. Overflowing the Atchafalaya Basin, at least 25 feet higher than normal. Kind of cool to see that. The good thing was, we have had a major drought as of late, which caused the ground to absorb a lot of the water, making it not as high and dangerous as it could have been.

This visit we skipped the French Market, Jackson Square and typical French Quarter walking to do some of the more natural attractions.

Audubon Zoo, which was surprisingly a very beautiful zoo with lots of European like fountains. It was a scorcher though, so after about 2 hours we just steadily walked towards to gate, barely glancing at some animals.

The Insectarium, the largest in the country (impressive) was VERY COOL! Not that we aren't familiar with large and disgusting bugs, living here in the south...but it offered a lot for the kids. Very interactive, a 4D movie, very clever writers for the info. (that always gets a big plus-come on, if it's going to have a "museum type feel" make it fun and interesting. and wow, they did!!! It was hilarious. We also ate bugs. YEP! ate bugs. Tyler, Jeff and I had white chocolate covered crickets, baby ones. Jeff tried the cinnamon sugar wax bugs. I couldn't go that far. They tasted great until I kept feeling like there were legs or parts stuck in between my teeth. I think this was mostly me being paranoid. I needed H2o after that.

The Deep Sea IMAX was entertaining and a great escape from the heat. Learning about cuddle fish was fun too.(the kids favorite--they are hilarious with their love triangle type of behavior) Lots of underwater creatures I had never seen before. Never boring with Jim Carrey narrating. :)

Last of all, the Aquarium. It was great, like any aquarium. Fun to look at the exquisite creatures. This part was unanimously the kids fave. Maybe because they got to pet and feed sting ray... LILY DIED over this. She couldn't get enough. Or the parakeet meet and feed. They each had feed stick and had many, many bird sit on them. That part was cute until one of the ferries honked its massive horn and the bird went haywire!!! They kept flying in low circles all around us. All in all, it was fun.

Also, a drive down the famous St. Charles street in the Garden district kept Jeff and I fascinated. Those homes really are an incredible sight! We just can't get enough of that city.