Didn't get to take the trip last year, but our group has just decided to make the drive to New Orleans for a long weekend at the end of October. Probably a nice leisurly drive, passing through the Grand Canyon area. We've heard that Halloween New Orleans is quite nice ... looking for an interesting guest house now in or near the French Quarter. Looks like this weekend is a circuit party event, which could be fun.

We were considering a trip to the white sands of the Florida panhandle, but after reading this Pensacola Memorial Day Weekend news, it doesn't seem like such a good idea.

So, we may check out the availability of decent accommodations in Puerto Vallarta, and head back down there. Ocho Cascadas is heaven on Earth, but very difficult to find a unit that is not being used by its owner.

Addendum: Another possibility is Gay Disney in Orlando, FL the following weekend ... checking into the logistics of that.

We know time is running out, but having a difficult time deciding between driving to New Orleans at the end of summer, which would coincide with the Southern Decadence annual celebration (which we understand is one of the top 5 tourist attactions, in terms of number of visitors) ... and Mardi Gras, which comes very early this year (February 5tt) and could likely be quite cold for us Southern California dudes.

We were at Southern Decadence a few years ago, and had a blast...like Mardi Gras, but it is pretty much confined to a portion of the French Quarter...so much more economical hotel and travel rates, and you can navigate the city.

Just returned from an unexpected week-long trip to Pureto Vallarta, Mexico....and an unforgettable stay at Ocho Cascadas. I must say that this is one of the most incredible places I've been. It is a complex of nine villas carved into the hillside just south of the city of Puerto Vallarta. They are all time-shared and, I believe, 100% owned. If anyone is ever lucky enough to pick up a week in any of these villas, do yourself a favor and consider it.

One caveat...they are all "open-air" ... so I'm not so sure how tolerable the temperatures would be in the middle of Summer. But in season, the open-air atmosphere is incredible.

Heading to Halloween in New Orleans ... first time, already working on costume. We'll leave CA on Oct 26th, pass thru the Grand Canyon, and make it into New Orleans hopefully Saturday morning. Learned that this is also a big Circuit Party weekend...should make the trip all the more interesting.

Considering a driving trip to New Orleans for the Mardi Gras season. Reading up on the Gay Mardi Gras. Looks like that could be fun. A little bit different than the New Orleans Gay Pride celebration.

Learned that the actual date of Mardi Gras varies from year to year, depending on Easter, which depends on the Moon !! Fascinating.

Well, we didn't quite make it to New Orleans for the Jazz Fest. Shortly after departing we received word of a family emergency, and had to return home. So, that was the end of the journey to New Orleans back in April. We have planned another trip for the beginning of August, over Labor Day weekend in fact.

The weather in the New Orleans area will be nice and sultry, but by early September the humidity should be about to break a bit. It will also be Southern Decadence weekend in New Orleans. Quite a sight ... we were there during it several years ago. Kind of like Mardi Gras on acid.

Before this big trip in September, there will be a few short journeys back in the West, which I will report on as they happen.

The journey has begun...
En route to New Orleans for Jazz Fest ... probably will be a three day drive from LA, not planning many stops 'cause we're anxious to get there and get started Jazzing! The trip home will be nice and easy .. allowing much needed recovery time before returning to reality in 2 weeks. This will be the first trip to New Orleans since New Years Eve.

We've never missed a New Orleans Jazz Fest, and this year is not going to be any different! The difference this year is that we're driving from Los Angeles to New Orleans, with many detours.

Of course, we'll stay a few days in New Orleans while we recover, before heading back to Califrornia, possibly by way of the Grand Canyon.