Mardi Gras

-"You know what would be fun..."
-"What"
-"We should go down to New Orleans for Mardi Gras."
-"What brought that up?"
-"I don't know, it would be an experience...one of those things you have to try in your life."
(silence)
-"Can we afford it?"
-"I think."
-"Let's go then."




It took the length of that conversation to determine it was a worthwhile use of our time to drive 18 hours with some good friends to spend 3 days in the most densely visited destination from January - February. 


Here are some things we learned about the city of New Orleans based on experience:

• Fan boat tour guides from the Louisiana bayou keep alligators in the same kind of coolers that suburbanites from Ohio keep pop.
• The --- ------ --- --- ---- motel sees it fit not to clean behind the beds where previous guests leave small bags of illegal drugs. 
• New Orleans has some of the best live music performances ever.
• A burning car on the side of the road raises zero concern from the locals.
• Beneighs are not a suitable breakfast item...or nutritious item for any meal for that matter.
• Littering on the street is not a fine-able offense. 
• NOLA is a beautiful city.

We made those inferences this week three years ago on our trip to New Orleans.  And while our 1/2 week in the biggest party in the world at the time was devoid of debauchery, we still enjoyed the city. 

This week not only reminds me of how much fun it was to travel to the bayou, but how different travel is for us now. 

Here's what the above conversation would look like now...

-"You know what would be fun..."

-"What?"

-"We should go to Coco Beach."

-"That would be nice...but..."

-"But what?"

-"Do you think he'd be ok in the car for 14 hours?"

-"Ummmm...."

-"Is he even allowed to be in the sun for too long?"

-"I don't think, not sure..."

-"We'd have to pack a stroller, pack n' play, and his boppy pillow. Is there room in the car?"

-(silence)

-"How 'bout we just wait 'till the lake warms up."

So much for picking up and going. 

The 11-and-a-half pound addition to our family will make our travel strategies change. We can't just go on a whim. Or pack into a crowded city. Or stay at motels with drugs. Or fly through the bayou at 60mph on a boat. But, the Kicker is hardly a deterrent to good travel.

We get to start a new style of adventure. Bring on the fanny pack.  Let that camera hang off my neck. Let me use my last available pocket space for pacifiers. Show me the indoor attractions that allow strollers. 

We welcome the newest traveler and all the places we can go with him. Can't wait to see the world together. We'll teach him how to grow up with an appreciation of travel and culture. So here's to family vacations...and never allowing your child to go to New Orleans for Mardi Gras...ever. 

Only for the confident, self-sure, sunglasses-attached-to-a-strap type.