Travelogue: Mississippi and NOLA

We had a great time visiting family in Mississippi and touring New Orleans at the end of the year. It was Josh and Blane's first time in the South. We knew they were in for a culture shock (seeing as my mom hails from a town where the population hovers under 2000, like the town in Friday Nights Lights except smaller) and sure enough, they were. A few notable differences:

• Everyone has guns. In fact, the guys got to shoot big guns and ride an ATV around the family tree farm. 
• The people are friendly. Everyone greets you and gives hugs. They are also very helpful.
• We went to Walmart several times for necessities. You don't know Walmart till you have been to one in a rural area. They are the biggest stores I have ever seen and you can no doubt find what you're looking for (unless you seek Gucci and Louie's). 
• The houses are made with brick. They are also cheap (like $200,000 for a nice house and an acre of land).
• Mississippi is known as the fattest state in the U.S. and I think it kinda shocked them. More to love baby!
• The amount of camo worn was exponentially higher than most places.
• There aren't a lot of mexicans or asians, or any other race actually. Mostly white and black. Also, there seems to still be a racial divide. I speak in generalities here, but it appears neither race wants to hang out with each other. 
• Josh loved the food - chicken and dumplings, butter mashed potatoes, giblet gravy, shrimp po poys, juicy fried chicken, slow cooked brisket, many casseroles, stuffings, and so on. He has been working out regularly since we got back to rectify his vacation eating. :)
• When they say there's going to be "traffic" they mean you might have to slow down to 30 on the interstate. Lucky dogs. 

The Food - Josh's favorite meal was from May's (center photo) an old family restaurant in Tylertown. We walked in and there was someone smoking inside (wearing camo, of course) but the food was downright delicious.

The Family - We spent a day in New Orleans (NOLA) with our cousins and their spouses. It was fun getting to know them as adults and seeing the town.

We paid $3 for the all day pass to ride the trolley down to the Garden District to eat and see the beautiful homes. 

And some of us also took the buggy ride through the heart of NOLA for a history lesson.

We grabbed some beignets at the infamous Cafe Du Monde. 

Tylertown, Mississippi - We also spent time in mom's hometown. Here's my gram with her great grandchildren. This is also the restaurant where Josh ate his favorite meal of the trip. 

My cousin Luke teaching the guys how to shoot in the backyard.

They also went on an ATV ride through part of the family tree farm.

These are all the guys (minus Jacob and Josiah) at my Auntie's house.

And here are just some of the girls a few moments later.

Just the Four of Us - We had a blast traveling with Blane and Aimee. We always do. We spent our last day in NOLA at the Garden District enjoying the architecture, food, and sights. 

Traveling - With the exception of one 20 minute meltdown during our descent into New Orleans, Babycakes was an excellent traveler and I can honestly say we were successful traveling together as a family. 

Here he is post meltdown at 11:00pm at the rental car place. 

Every trip brings new life memories and experiences, doesn't it? I am grateful.

With baby arrivals happening next month and the month after that I'm not sure when we will be traveling next. But until then the sweet memories from this trip can hold us over.