Final Thoughts and Musings

As we personally start our return journey west, we received news that the two couples who are from Tampa Bay have received word that their houses have minor damage but are still standing and flooding is not an issue. With that, we said our goodbyes to our new friends with hugs and vows to meet again, if not on a tour, then on the road somewhere and at some other time.

This trip has been on our bucket list for a while and it was nice to finally check it off. We were not disappointed. Mark Twain said " Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow-mindedness", how true that is. This Country was, is and will always be a gumbo pot of culture, cuisine, hopes and dreams. We will have our troubles and pains that change always brings. But it is through this pain that we grow and become better both as an individual and as a Country. The wife of one of our Church Prophets said " if you treat everyone you meet as if they are fighting a great battle within, you will be correct most of the time." It is thru the struggle that you grow, the history of our great Country demonstrates this and travel, especially by RV, is a great way to see, smell, taste and touch this history.

During our cooking lesson at the New Orleans School of Cooking, Chef Michael told us how he came to his profession of a Chef in New Orleans. He is originally from Detroit and came south not really knowing what he wanted and to escape the snow and cold. He discovered the food in New Orleans and his desire to cook it. After years of classes, cooking on his own, and just in general working his way up he became a Chef and helped author the recipes in this blog as well as in the book, "Class Act."

The Cajun folk around here have a term, "Lache pas la patate", or don't give up the potato. To every Cajun though, it simply means "don't give up!" Continue to hold on to your dreams and keep working for them, you never know, you might really get them.

Thanks for coming along for the ride with us, it has been fun and the sights, sounds and tastes will not soon be forgotten. I will continue to post our travels, some short and sweet others longer and more filling, either way though you are invited to travel with us through this blog or better yet on the road with us! May God bless you all with health, happiness and wonderful times.

Thanks again and we will see you down the road.

Jim and Susan