Microtel Inn Lake Charles / Sulphur

... right now”… It’s precisely all these “buts” that are leading to big butts.

Now, before yal go thinking this is a ranting complaint session, realize that I also come to recognize the beauty of the American ways. First and foremost, the kindness of people in this nation, particularly to strangers, is astounding. We are inherently a trusting and outwardly social people, and for this I am eternally appreciative. I actually think I ...

... purple and pink, lighter blue on top.This is the world in its most pristine state before the sun begins boiling the ground, bringing moisture skyward, perspiration outwards until nightfall.When finally the sun rises, it arrives with melodramatic flare as though to dismiss all those other sunrises that came before. I pull of the highway along the gulf coast ...

Quick entry, then back to the Casino for a little early morning action. Twenty-five bucks and I get a RV hookup site and all the fantastic amenities of this fine resort. What a deal. Gotta be on the road by noon - New Orleans, here I come!

I was suppose to stay at another adventure riders house for a night but he said he would give me free lessons if I wanted them. To top it off he let me stay at his place for free. Darrell and his wife are some of the nicest people. It sometimes shocks me how kind people are. If anyone is down in Louisiana and need scuba stuff, you ...

... no charge, and provided a great map describing the various stops and trails. The park is set up as a large loop of paved road with various walking trails and viewpoints all along the way. One area contained a tower that we climbed where we were able to view a pair of nesting whooping cranes. I feel pretty lucky to have seen them, since they are extremely rare and endangered - there are only about 225 of the species in the entire world right ...

I'll pay my library fines and then off to Ragley to leave the Mercedes with Dad for the next three months (at least). He will take me to Intercontiental Airport Houston very early in the AM New Years Eve for a connection in San Francisco before crossing the Pacific to Seoul and finally Phnom Penh late New Year's Day.

Soon a after we left the hotel, it started raining very very hard and we tried to pull over underneath a bridge on I-10. Under the bridge, however, on the shoulder was about 9 inches of water and when I put my foot down into it I understood we couldn't stop for shelter there. We headed for the next exit and spent another hour or two browsing through the convenience store, waiting for the rain to subside a little outside. It finally ...

... pleasure boat" as we are all called. We only went down about 8 inches, so no lines or side holding was necessary. Once we got close to the marina here in Lake Charles, we saw a huge Casino called the "L'Aubarge" and it had a marina. Excited to think we might be able to tie up and then gamble, we called them for rates. Aghast at the $4 per foot rate, we kept right on going to our $1 per foot here at ...

... goes well! I've included some pictures from New Orleans on Halloween! Enjoy! Erica P.S. We saw the actor Scott Caan in the French Quarter yesterday. It was kinda weird. He was the more athletic Morman brother in Oceans 11, 12, and 13. He was also in Varsity Blues. He was just out sight seeing on a bike and taking pictures.

Our trip began with a plane ride from Houston to Paris. Because of Hurricane Dennis, we sat in the plane on the tarmac for 2 1/2 hours! Not good when you know you have a flight that will last approx. 9 hours. But who can control nature? Anyway, we were excited and ready to go!