Uneasy Start in The Big Easy

We made it to New Orleans from the Catskills Mountains in just over two days. We arrived so early on the third day that after setting up we still had the whole day in front of us.

We stayed at the French Quarter RV Park located, as its name indicates, just blocks from the border of the French Quarter off Basin Street. The park itself is quite nice. Securely enclosed inside four walls, it is quaintly decorated and the staff is friendly and helpful providing concierge services including calling a cab, making diner reservations or booking a city tour. But as we were to find out, the surrounding area can be a bit iffy.

Using the map provide by the staff, we decided to take a stroll into the Quarter to see what we could see and get a bite to eat. However, due to deficiencies in the map and our map reading skills, we took a wrong turn and found ourselves in a very unsavory neighborhood. We quickly became lost and by the time we found our way back to the RV park we were a little shaken up.

So we decide to cab it instead. We dined on oysters and BBQ shrimp at Deanie's Seafood then wondered into Jackson Square. Here we enjoyed the Jazz stylings of Satchmo incarnate and, on a whim, jumped on the Natchez Steamboat and took an evening cruise down the mighty Mississippi. Not too shabby for our first day and, aside from an uneasy start, a foreshadowing of the delightful days to come.

-Diane

The Truck Stops Here

We were headed south to New Orleans. Our goal was to be there in three days. So on this - only our second long-term trip - for the first time, we opted to stay overnight at truck stops. It's an inexpensive and convenient time saver. You just park, eat, shower, sleep and go.

The first leg of our journey was a 600 mile, ten hour drive from Saugerties, NY to Wytheville, VA. We stayed at Love's Travel Stop. We arrived just as the last sliver of sunlight was disappearing in the sky. This location is large and busy with 140 parking spaces. We felt intimated and a bit out of our element. The lot was not full to capacity and we parked in a pull-thru with empty spaces on both sides. We hoped it would stay that way, but before long we were tightly nestled between two idling semis. It was a bit noisy but the low hum of the engines did not disturb our sleep. The only food options were Subway or Chester's Chicken. We went with the chicken. We put off showering until morning. In the morning we decided to put it off until our next stop for expediency's sake and because we felt a bit uncomfortable.

Another 600 miles, ten hours, and a time change later we landed at a TA Travel Center in Meridian, MS with daylight to spare. We immediately preferred this truck stop to the last. The parking area was easier to navigate, there was a nice diner attached to the store, and the showers were on the second floor along with a game room. It was a more inviting atmosphere all around. We enjoyed a delicious and relaxed meal at the Country Pride restaurant, showered and settle in feeling refreshed and at ease. Again, we had a semi one either side, but slept just fine.

All of the truck/travel stops have food and showers. The showers are available to anyone for a fee, which vary by stop. The food options also vary and can be very limited. However, the TA/Petro stops are consistent with either a Country Pride or Iron Skillet restaurant providing a sit-down experience with a full menu. The TA showers were full bathrooms with plenty of room to change and a good-sized walk in shower. They were clean and secure and even included bar soap and fresh towels. At the top of the list of things I thought I'd never say, "I took a truck stop shower - and I liked it!" The fee was $13 per person and worth every penny.

We will be using truck stops again in the future. We have yet to stay at any Flying J's or Pilots and would like to do so. However, based on our limited experience, will seek out the TA/Petro Travel Centers when possible.

-Diane