ACROSS NO-MAN’S-LAND TO MARDI GRAS
By Barry Zander, Edited by Monique Zander, the Never-Bored RVers
This week we arrived in New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Our 2,000-mile journey included desert, range, forests, bayous … and Butterbean!
A Welcoming Rest Stop Along Interstate 20
Had we been in a great hurry, we would have opted for Interstate 10 all the way, but we chose instead to veer from the desolate path that we have suffered too often for the “excitement?” of Interstate 20, the route connecting West Texas with Abilene, Dallas, Nashville and beyond.
“Butterbean” is a name many of you will recognize from his frequent comments at the end of RV.net blogs. Appreciating his interest in our RVing community and often jovial contributions to the blogs, we decided to take him up on an invitation to drop by “the ranch” if we were in the neighborhood. We had the time for a visit, so off the beaten path (if I-20 can be called an unbeaten path) we ventured.
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, we scanned the Texas State Map for a good stopping point along the way, eventually choosing Colorado City State Park. The ‘miles and miles’ of ‘miles and miles’ were relentless. For RVers longing for hours of isolation from the real world, this is a recommended route.
Texas, famous for its oil wells, does not disappoint. The vast level scrub desert is dotted with ground-
pecking pumps, and when their reign over the landscape ends up jump the power-producing windmills … miles of them grazing among the barren never-ending desert … in rows, in clusters, a few strays, all apparently connected to the power grid with underground cables.
The windmills and a few pumps dominate the sandy terrain, eventually giving way to rangeland with a few small herds of cattle. We didn’t see any of the trademark Texas Longhorns until we got to East Texas and Louisiana.
One surprise was prosperity surrounding Odessa. Manufacturing and distribution facilities abound, many of them oilpatch-related, cropping up in the middle of nowhere, and even more, we were caught off-guard when the population of plants continued to line the interstate and well back into the desert for mile after mile.
As per instructions, we veered from I-20 for a 75-mile drive on side roads. Once we traversed the cattle guard, there was Butterbean, wife Joyce and their menagerie of horses coming out to greet us. Their home, mostly hidden by their Georgie Boy parked in the front yard, is a traditional rustic one-story, featuring walls lined and countertops speckled with items they have collected over the years before and since their move from the Dallas area.
Butterbean, left, and Joyce Visits with Monique
Both have retired to the work of taking care of the half-dozen or so American miniature horses plus Rosie, the mare who was the first to beg Monique for attention. When not outside with the herd, Butterbean said he spends his time on the computer, monitoring RV.net and other websites and blogsites.
Running short of time, we threaded our way over the cattle gap and between the fence posts back onto the country road heading to the U.S. 84, once a major highway, now a connection between red lights and once prosperous towns.
That led us to the beautiful city of Natchitoches, Louisiana, worth a blog on its own, and then on narrow roads to visit my new granddaughter, her sister and mother near Fort Polk (my son is attending a military school for promotion). From there we showed up at my sister’s home in time for 16 pounds of the best crawfish we ever tasted.
And finally, we reached our destination: New Orleans, where Mardi Gras is just 10 days away. New Orleans, my hometown, is where I grew up, worked and was part of the local scene for the first two-thirds of my life. Beginning tomorrow, we will experience New Orleans to its fullest, having decided to participate in Adventure Caravan’s* Mardi Gras Rally.
You’ll be hearing more about our experiences here over the next two weeks. As for us, we’re getting ready to meet our fellow travelers at orientation.
“Laissez les bons temps rouler” – Let the Good Time Roll!
From the “Never-Bored RVers,” We’ll see you on down the road.
*Please note, we are not employed by this caravan company. We made our selection based upon their itinerary.
© All photos by Barry Zander. All rights reserved
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Come on down to Houma, LA 55 miles southwest of New Orleans, good family Mardi Gras, 7 parades some at night. Not as big as NO, no stupid crowds taking off clothes, but it is still fun.
Howdy Monique & Barry,
Y’all are welcome at the RunningStar Ranch in Coleman county Texas anytime!!!
I was trying to NOT SCARE THE RV PUBLIC, but you done done it now; they can all see what a ‘butterbean’ looks like; and itz lower case, I ain’t a hi-falutin Capital case
type!! I’m just me!! Thank you, for the pics of Joyce, Monique and the animals..Oh,
and most of all The Georgie Boy; beautiful BLUE & WHITE!!
Laissez les bon temps rouler!! AIIIEEEEEEEEE!! I garontee!!!
Barry, thanks for giving us a look at the ubiquitous butterbean carpenter. His posts on these blogs have made us curious. Now that has been satisfied. And to Roy: That sounds like fun. We’ve wondered about Mardi Gras, but were always put off by its reputation. Houma sounds like a good time!
Look forward to following your adventures at Mardi Gras. Last time I was there was in 1962 while in the Navy. We will be there next Feb as part of our 2 year trip to the East Coast. Leave California on March 18 and will be back in 2014.
Having been in southern Louisiana during Mardi Gras, we were camped at Laf,ayette and advised to be sure to go to Eunice for the festivities. We did and had a wonderful time (not the craziness of the larger cities). Attended the Liberty Theater on Saturday night for some great music, and then on Sunday was a very unique parade with more bands performing. I was impressed with the “screen wire” face masks which are painted and found them fascinating. We found the people very friendly and so happy, and were entralled with their music. Was a very memorable time.
Where’s the fun without clothes coming off?????????????
Keep us up to date with daily post! Also do a blog on the little town you were talking about. We like reading your post because they give us ideas on where to go and what to see!
I was in New Orleans for 5 weeks, before Mardi Gras in 2009. Part of the time I camped at Wal Mart right near the Mississippi River. It is in a not great neighborhood, but I does have a police substation right on Wal Mart’s parking lot. Cops come and go and I had no problems.
There is a National Park Jazz interpretative center. It is in the French Quarter, quite small, but 2 of the park rangers entertain there daily, in the afternoon. Check them out.
On the Tuesday, that is Mardi Gras, I parked in the city parking lot that is between the French Quarter and the Mississippi. I went early. There is no overnight camping there. After lunch I returned to my Sprinter Leasure Travel rig and heard music coming from the Levy viewing spot where there is a nice staircase coming down from the Levy. A path goes across the parking into the French Quarter, right opposite the St. Peter’s Catholic Church.
Professional musicians formed up on the levy. They were dressed in elaborate Mardi Gras costumes. They started playing on the levy and walked down the stairs to the Quarter. It was a sight and sound to behold. Much better than the parade in Town.
Be there or be square!