Low point of the day: Our plan is to drive from Baton Rouge to New Orleans and head directly for Mother's Restaurant for a soft shell crab sandwich. Ten years ago, my husband and I ate a crab po-boy at this institution that has been dishing up creole fare since 1938, and we have been craving another one ever since. As soon as we pull off the freeway, we're stuck in gridlock traffic. We finally arrive at Mother's but there's a line out the door that's wrapped around the block. It's 2 p.m. The kids are starving and screaming. We look for another option.
High point of the day: For lunch, we end up at Johnny's. Opened in 1950, it claims to be the city's oldest family-owned po-boy restaurant. We split a fried shrimp po-boy and a bowl of gumbo (pictured above), both taste fresh and delicious. Then it's off to Cafe du Monde for beignets (French doughnuts), chunks of fried dough covered in powdered sugar. Our bellies are happy.
Sound bite of the day: The Natchez paddle wheel (pictured above) is the only steamboat still operating out of New Orleans and as we watch it cruise down the river, we feel like Tom Sawyer pining for a ride. When the boat docks to unload passengers, we intercept captain Donald Houghton and he shares some history with us.
Quote of the day: "Why is it so stinky?" my 6-year-old daughter asks as we're taking in the stale, sour smell on Bourbon Street, party central in New Orleans.
Photo of the day: Boas galore on Bourbon Street.
Miles: 80
Total miles: 2,509
Hours in car: 2
Total hours in car: 52
Weather: Hot and muggy
Expenses
- Hotel: $100.68 (Best Western Chateau Louisianne Suite Hotel; charming colonial French atmosphere)
- Breakfast: free at hotel
- Lunch: $19.54 (Johnny's in New Orleans)
- Snack: $8 (Cafe du Monde)
- Dinner: $27.08 (Camellia Grill)
Total for the trip: $2381.93
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