Saturday, July 5, 2008

New Orleans






So this week Dan and I traveled down to New Orleans to start reviews here next week. We stopped for one night in Baton Rouge and went to the temple. It was really pretty! I only got one blurry picture because it was raining pretty hard when we got there. It is a really small temple, but really nice. It was built the same time as the Billings temple, so a lot of the interior decorations were the same as the Billings temple.
On our way to New Orleans, the interstate we drove on was pretty much a bridge built over a swamp. I can't believe how much water is around here!
We spent the fourth of July wandering around the French quarter in New Orleans. It was quite interesting! All the streets are super narrow and the buildings are right next to each other. They are super old buildings built by the French, so they all have that kind of French look. It was really crowded--Dan said it really reminded him of Europe. There was all sorts of people selling paintings and doing magic tricks on the side of the road. We even saw some gangster teenagers doing tap dances using tennis shoes that had the metal taps attached to the bottom! There was a really pretty Catholic Cathedral that we got a few pictures of. We are hoping to go on a tour of it when it is open. We also walked down the famous Bourbon street. Let me just say that it reminded me of Sodom and Gomorrah! Everything on that street was just wicked! I would see something and say "Dan, don't look to the left!" We avoided that street after that! There was lots of weird stores that sold all types of Mardi Gras apparel. The picture of Dan with the alligator head is a real alligator head! We ate dinner at the famous Jimmy Buffets Margaritaville cafe. It was really good! We went back to the hotel before dark because we have heard that you don't want to be out at dark in New Orleans. Then we watched Harry Potter on TV and watched fireworks out of our window!

6 comments:

Ashley Wray said...

Wow, it looks like you definetly saw the sights, including the XXX ones :) What a fun 4th! Hope you enjoy the rest of your little "vacation" down there. I'm sure you'll see lots more interesting things at teh daycares etc...good luck!

The Jay Stott Fam said...

The Catholic cathedral is beautiful. Of course so is the temple. I'm glad you are out seeing the sights. You look like you're all ready for mardi gras in that one picture. Well, one week can't corrupt a person too much I suppose. Have fun and enjoy your week.
Love,
Mom

The Jay Stott Fam said...

Katie and Dan,

Love the picturew--keep them coming

Love,
Molly

Chelsea and Cody said...

Dan! You crazy man! hehe! The temple looks beautiful even though it is blurry! I am glad that you guys got to go to a different temple than you are used to. Someday I want to see them all!!!!

Nels, Drea, and Crew said...

You guys are sure getting to see some really neat things. Glad you are having so much fun. You do look pretty gook in your mardi gras get up. I'm glad the alligator didn't bite off your hand Dan! :)

Em and Bart said...

That is hilarious that you had to shield Dan's eyes! New Orleans sounds a little crazy to me, but it is seriously like you are on an extended vacation. How fun! I can't wait to see you in person sometime when you get back, who knows maybe Bart will get a job in Utah!