Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Home from Patterson (How to wear yourself out and see New Orleans)
| Home from Patterson [message #274781] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 08:45  |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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We decided to miss the final day of the Patterson LA GMCMI rally and visit New Orleans and still get home in time to get ready for Easter. Got to N.O. about 10:30 and parked about 1/2 mile from Canal Street. Using my new phone and 'Ok Google' directions, we quickly found Canal street and then promptly took off on a walking tour of the French Quarter lead around by the phone trying to find Bourbon Street and Cafe du Monde. I don't recommend that approach.....
Finally found Bourbon street and yep, it's a bunch of bars and such. Saw all we needed to see in about 10 minutes. Found a decent bar that had a good lunch and followed the waitress' directions to Cafe du Monde...another bad choice. We actually walked AROUND the Cafe before we gave up and fired up the phone again (third bad idea). Finally folks gave us some good directions and got there, had a quick Beignet and back to the car.
I was really surprised that there were not map stations scattered around. We saw lots and lots of other folks walking around lost also.
We probably should have done some more research and obtained a good map and it probably would have been more fun with some other folks. But all in all, to us it's just another big city with an 'entertainment' district that doesn't smell very good, has quite a few street people, lots of places to get drunk....etc. Since none of that is really appealing to us we were a bit underwhelmed. But we can check visiting NO off the bucket list and NO was the last major city in the US I had not been to.
By 2:45 we were back on the road and intended to stop somewhere in Mississippi for the night but as the day rolled on we decided to just push on driving instead of sitting in a motel room. We got in about 10PM. About 500 miles in the truck and 5 on foot....long day but our own bed sure felt good last night.
BTW, we were calculating the cost of driving the coach and staying in the campground vs driving a car and staying in a motel. With the reduced cost of the rally (no campground fees) and the increased gas mileage the cost is about a wash. However the convenience of having a coach at the rally where you can go rest and be a part of the event outside the festivities is a definite plus. That said, it was well worth the inconvenience to us. If we have a coach running, we'll drive it, if not the motel approach is OK.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] Home from Patterson [message #274785 is a reply to message #274781] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 09:09  |
bdub
Messages: 1578
Registered: February 2004
Location: Central Texas
Karma: 5
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Senior Member |
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Concur with your New Orleans tour experience. Been there, done that, won't
get caught there again. Thankful I don't have to live there. Same,
actually even worse, as many other large cities I've visited.
bdub ... proud to live in rural central Texas
On Thu, Apr 2, 2015 at 8:45 AM, Kerry Pinkerton wrote:
> ...snip...
>
Got to N.O. about 10:30 and parked about 1/2 mile from Canal Street. Using
> my new phone and 'Ok Google' directions, we quickly found Canal street and
> then promptly took off on a walking tour of the French Quarter lead around
> by the phone trying to find Bourbon Street and Cafe du Monde. I don't
> recommend that approach.....
>
> Finally found Bourbon street and yep, it's a bunch of bars and such. Saw
> all we needed to see in about 10 minutes. Found a decent bar that had a
> good lunch and followed the waitress' directions to Cafe du Monde...another
> bad choice. We actually walked AROUND the Cafe before we gave up and fired
> up the phone again (third bad idea). Finally folks gave us some good
> directions and got there, had a quick Beignet and back to the car.
>
> I was really surprised that there were not map stations scattered around.
> We saw lots and lots of other folks walking around lost also.
>
> We probably should have done some more research and obtained a good map
> and it probably would have been more fun with some other folks. But all in
> all, to us it's just another big city with an 'entertainment' district that
> doesn't smell very good, has quite a few street people, lots of places to
> get drunk....etc. Since none of that is really appealing to us we were a
> bit underwhelmed. But we can check visiting NO off the bucket list and NO
> was the last major city in the US I had not been to.
> ... snip ...
>
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bdub
'76 Palm Beach/Central Texas
www.bdub.net
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| Re: Home from Patterson [message #274788 is a reply to message #274781] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 09:35 |
jhbridges
Messages: 8412
Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
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We honeymooned in Nwrlins in 1969, and it was great fun. Married off a friend three years later, pub crawled till their flight left next morning, still great fun. At 65+ and the cultural changes in the country, I suspect it would not be great fun these days. Paula has no great desire to return.
I use the coach for dog shows, and I tell myself the cost is a wash. It actually is fairly close. The convenience is invaluable though. I'll always use it when eh dog is along.
--johnny
Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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| Re: Home from Patterson [message #274795 is a reply to message #274788] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 11:42 |
Bob de Kruyff
Messages: 4260
Registered: January 2004
Location: Chandler, AZ
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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I guess we are all different. I just returned from mardi gras last Feb and had a blast. Probably my 10th time there.
Bob de Kruyff
78 Eleganza
Chandler, AZ
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| Re: Home from Patterson [message #274808 is a reply to message #274795] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 14:45 |
Don A
Messages: 895
Registered: October 2008
Location: Dallas, TX
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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Thanks for the report Kerry.
With all due respect, you didn't see New Orleans. All you saw was the historic bar area at noon time! Come back at 11pm. That is not even the best bar area. And there is so much more to see. The ships in the river, the ferry over the river, the sidewalk artists, the garden district, the plantations, the missions, the Super Dome, the warehouse of parade floats, the fabulous restaurants; etc, etc, etc. While you were having your beignet, did you walk over the bank to see the mighty Mississippi? I always start with beignets from Cafe de Monde. But there are days more to see.
Don Adams Dallas, TX
'76 26' Glenbrook, '90 Sidekick
rebuilt by R Archer, powered by J Bounds, Koba
[IMG]http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/data/6109/G2.jpg[/IMG]
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| Re: [GMCnet] Home from Patterson [message #274818 is a reply to message #274813] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 16:28 |
tphipps
Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL
Karma: 9
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Senior Member |
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If you missed the WWII Museam, you really missed something worth seeing. I've been twice and it is always interesting. Features the Higgins Landing Craft, used to storm the beaches in almost all the island campaign. Higgins was designed and built largely in N.O. Area.
Tom, MS II
2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552
KA4CSG
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| Re: Home from Patterson [message #274821 is a reply to message #274781] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 16:50 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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I agree we did not see any of the stuff that would have interested us but in a few hours all we could do was a quick overview. I'm not the least interested in the bars or nightlife. I've got cousins in the area that would have been glad to show us around but we need more than a few hours.
If we go back, we'll stay in the RV park near the French Quarter and plan on spending a few days.
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: [GMCnet] Home from Patterson [message #274825 is a reply to message #274821] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 17:10 |
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USAussie
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
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Senior Member |
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Kerry,
Helen and I have stayed there twice and found it terrific, it's not cheap, however, you can walk just about everywhere.
Plan ahead as the rates go through the roof when there's "something on."
I can empathize with you regarding the nightlife, however, on one of our visits we stumbled upon a nightclub that had a show put on
by drag queens . . . . . it was hilarious!
Regards,
Rob M.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kerry Pinkerton
I agree we did not see any of the stuff that would have interested us but in a few hours all we could do was a quick overview. I'm
not the least interested in the bars or nightlife. I've got cousins in the area that would have been glad to show us around but we
need more than a few hours.
If we go back, we'll stay in the RV park near the French Quarter and plan on spending a few days.
--
Kerry
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Regards,
Rob M. (USAussie)
The Pedantic Mechanic
Sydney, Australia
'75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
'75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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| Re: [GMCnet] Home from Patterson [message #274853 is a reply to message #274825] |
Thu, 02 April 2015 23:20 |
stick miller
Messages: 1036
Registered: March 2010
Location: Americus, Georgia
Karma: 0
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Well, a bunch of us left Patterson on Wednesday after the vendor meeting and made the short distance to NO. All but one of us had reservations at a simple but very clean and friendly RV park just off I-10. Most of us went into the French Quarter on Wednesday night and I never felt the least bit threatened. We were interested in listening to some good music and seeing some wild and crazy things. We were not disappointed. I guess I AM into the bar and nightlife scene.
Today's venture into town was less appealing. We rode the streetcar down through the Garden district, but it is hard to see much out of an overcrowded streetcar. Our ride along the waterfront line was less crowded, but give me the nightlife and the crazies any time.
Headed for home tomorrow. Looks like about 450 miles to Americus and not sure we'll make it all the way. This was my second GMCMCI convention and Elise's first. We had a great time both in Patterson and in NO.
Stick Miller
'78 Royale - "White Trash" - she left me for another man
'76 Eleganza - "Cousin Eddie" Sold
'84 Bluebird Wanderlodge - "Past Tents"
Americus, GA
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| Re: Home from Patterson [message #274859 is a reply to message #274855] |
Fri, 03 April 2015 07:18 |
kerry pinkerton
Messages: 2565
Registered: July 2012
Location: Harvest, Al
Karma: 15
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Senior Member |
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Jim Galbavy wrote on Fri, 03 April 2015 00:30...Helped get "the beast"
to NO and patched up to make it home. Weather permitting Bob and Don
should be ok. Thank God no one was hurt and the coach appears to be
drivable. They're ace in the hole is Jeff Sirum escorting them home.
OH NO what happened?
Kerry Pinkerton - North Alabama
Had 5 over the years. Currently have a '06 Fleetwood Discovery 39L
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| Re: Home from Patterson [message #274863 is a reply to message #274859] |
Fri, 03 April 2015 08:30 |
rjw
Messages: 697
Registered: September 2005
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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We left Patterson about noon Thursday. We drove from there to Hammond, LA to meet our son's girl friend's parents (for the first time) who are native to the region. We are going to spend the long weekend with them. For starters, they cooked us a wonderful meal of Étouffée (craw fish over pasta) with lots of good wine and conversation Thursday night. Friday, Saturday and Sunday they are going to show us around NO and the area. I think we will end up seeing a different version of NO then a quick walking tour.
All in all the Patterson rally was great, especially the tech seminars. The void left with Dave Lezni and Dick Patterson not being there was filled well by Colonel Henderson and friends covering steering and how to do a 6-wheel alignment with simple tools. I know now that I could do a 6-wheel alignment better than an alignment shop. All of the tech sessions were great, except the last one on Wednesday that left much to be desired.
Kim and all of her helpers really did an excellent job putting the rally together. As usual, it was like a well oiled machine with few glitches.
The raffle ended up very well for us as we won the free convention prize plus 2 rolls of Butyl Tape.
This will end up being the longest trip in our GMC to date (since 1998) at 3 weeks and 3,000 miles. No major issues so far, except our 15 year old macerator decided to go on strike and stop macerating. What a pain it is to dump with a stinky slinky. Boy am I glad I still have a slinky as a backup.
Richard
76 Palm Beach
SE Michigan
www.PalmBeachGMC.com
Roller Cam 455, TBI+EBL, 3.42 FD, 4 Bag, Macerator, Lenzi (brakes, vacuum system, front end stuff), Manny Tranny, vacuum step, Tankless + OEM water heaters.
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| Re: [GMCnet] Home from Patterson [message #274946 is a reply to message #274863] |
Fri, 03 April 2015 19:34 |
Kingsley Coach
Messages: 2691
Registered: March 2009
Location: Nova Scotia Canada
Karma: -34
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Senior Member |
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Kerry
Get beads?
On Fri, Apr 3, 2015 at 10:30 AM, RJW wrote:
> We left Patterson about noon Thursday. We drove from there to Hammond, LA
> to meet our son's girl friend's parents (for the first time) who are native
> to the region. We are going to spend the long weekend with them. For
> starters, they cooked us a wonderful meal of Étouffée (craw fish over pasta)
> with lots of good wine and conversation Thursday night. Friday, Saturday
> and Sunday they are going to show us around NO and the area. I think we will
> end up seeing a different version of NO then a quick walking tour.
>
> All in all the Patterson rally was great, especially the tech seminars.
> The void left with Dave Lezni and Dick Patterson not being there was filled
> well by Colonel Henderson and friends covering steering and how to do a
> 6-wheel alignment with simple tools. I know now that I could do a 6-wheel
> alignment better than an alignment shop. All of the tech sessions were
> great, except the last one on Wednesday that left much to be desired.
>
> Kim and all of her helpers really did an excellent job putting the rally
> together. As usual, it was like a well oiled machine with few glitches.
>
> The raffle ended up very well for us as we won the free convention prize
> plus 2 rolls of Butyl Tape.
>
> This will end up being the longest trip in our GMC to date (since 1998) at
> 3 weeks and 3,000 miles. No major issues so far, except our 15 year old
> macerator decided to go on strike and stop macerating. What a pain it is
> to dump with a stinky slinky. Boy am I glad I still have a slinky as a
> backup.
>
> --
> Richard
> 76 Palm Beach
> SE Michigan
> www.PalmBeachGMC.com
>
>
> Coop Roller Cam 455, Howell TBI + EBL, 3.42 FD, Quadra Bag, Macerator,
> Manny Tranny etc.
>
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>
--
Michael Beaton
1977 Kingsley 26-11
1977 Eleganza II 26-3
Antigonish, NS
Life is too short to hold a grudge; slash some tires and call it even !
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