With the house building process finally in full swing Hubby and I decided that we probably needed to keep our vacations this year state-side, even though I am eager to collect more stamps in our (my) passport.

I have been asking for YEARS to go on a road trip to New Orleans as I have never been to Mississippi, Lousiana, or anywhere really in thag general area….

So after spending Easter with the family we headed out on our first road trip journey with a TODDLER in tow. We traveled through the night and arrived in our first destination, Pensacola, FL in the wee hours of the morning. Addie did very well and slept for much of the ride.

The next few days were spent with Waring’s sister and brother-in-law, Trish and Ryan. We went shopping, to the beach, and Ryan grilled us the best steak I think I have ever eaten! Visiting family was so relaxing, and it feels so great to just catch up.

After two nights in Pensacola we headed out to NOLA around 9pm. Addie once again slept the majority of the ride. We stayed in a Hilton Garden within walking distance to the French Quartee, but still out of the craziness.

The next morning we hit the ground running! We ate a nice breakfast downtown, took Addie to her first aquarium (she loved it), walked and window shopped in the French Quarter, strolled along the mighty Mississippi River, looked at art in Jackson Square and the French Quarter Market, ate a bug at the creepy-crawly insectarium, took a pedicab to dinner, ate BBQ, bought Addie some fleur di lis earrings from a local artisan, ate the local pralines, and then CRASHED in the hotel room!

The next morning we were at it again! We checked out of the hotel, drove to the zoo to see lots of animals, and then drove to the Hard Rock casino in Mobile for dinner and a magnet, and were on the road again. We made it back to our home in Georgia around 3am!! What a wonderfull whirlwind!