The Frenchman Orleans

Leaving Kansas City to stew for a bit, the next state with an exchange is Louisiana. Now I think if I want to go to Louisiana that I should plan that for the winter or it will be hot and humid! When I talked about visiting Louisiana I mentioned New Orleans and low and behold that’s where the exchange is!

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Sure enough the 1 timeshare exchange is in the Frenchman Orleans. The web site describes it as ” Bridging the French Quarter and the Faubourg Marigny, the Frenchmen Hotel is located on Frenchmen near everything: nightspots, hip cafes, and some of the world’s finest restaurants. Just steps away, you’ll find exquisite shopping, museums, and a bunch of excitement! The Frenchmen Hotel is truly the place to   start and  end your days of French Quarter discovery!”

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That sounds exciting! But then the web site goes on to say they are undergoing renovations. 🙁

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I can think of a few friends that wold love to be in New Orleans during the Mardi Gras so I’m pretty sure I’ll have company on that visit.

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If I/ we can tear ourselves away from the partying I’d like to visit the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas. The Aquarium is located on the edge of the French Quarter, facing the mighty Mississippi River at the foot of Canal St.

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Not far away Audubon has a Butterfly Garden. Those are always great places to visit.

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New Orleans also has a Zoo and I always try to visit zoos when I travel. I even visited the Zoo in Hawaii!

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Of course I’d have to visit the swamps and bayou and there  seems to be a ton of tours to chose from.  There are City Tours, Swamp Tours, Cemetery Tours, Ghost Tours and plantation Tours. I want to do them all!

New Orleans

I’ve missed Mardi Gras this year but many of the comments on various travel sites downplay Mardi Gras and recommend Springtime around May.

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Something to think about.

It’s K-K-L Time.

Please note the dashes. This is not about the KKK. This is about Kansas, Kentucky and Louisiana. The next 3 states in the alphabet. There’s no state that starts with J. “Jersey” is a cow. The state is New Jersey. So with that out of the way let’s get to the good stuff…

KANSAS

No, can’t say that I’ve been there but I know a song:

I’m goin’ to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come

I’m goin’ to Kansas City, Kansas City here I come 

They got a crazy way of lovin’ there,

and I’m gonna get me some…

Kansas is the start of the west. The 100th Meridian, although an imaginary line on the surface of the earth, has long symbolized the end of the east and the beginning of the west. It’s located at 100 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., Dodge City, KS 67801.

On the subject of Dodge City, The TV show Gunsmoke was filmed there. Plus, who hasn’t heard the expression “Get out of Dodge!”?

gunsmoke

So Top  picks for Cities in Kansas are : Kansas City, Dodge City and we can’t forget Wichita.  The cattle drives of the old west often came to Kansas and there is a Fort from the age of the old west that has been preserved…F troop here we come!

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Kentucky

No But when I go I want to see Churchill Downs, preferable for the Kentucky Derby, the Run for the Roses, arguably the most famous horse race in America.

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If horses aren’t enough to keep me happy in Kentucky, how about gold? Kentucky is home to Fort Knox. Do they give tours?

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What else is Kentucky famous for? Mint Juleps?

Louisiana

No. But what’s the most famous City in Louisiana? Not Baton Rouge. I’d bet it’s New Orleans. Oh yeah, I need to experience Mardi Gras, see the French Quarter, get a look at Lake Pontchartrain.

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Is Louisiana the true south, dotted with plantation homes? Do they have air boat rides in the bayou?

Got a lot to learn about Louisiana.

So that’s 3 more states I need to visit.  The tally is now 6 visited, 12 still to go and we aren’t even half way yet!