Going back to Texas

For New Years, we packed up the family and drove to Texas.  We spent 3 days on the road, 3 days in Corpus Christi, and 3 days on the road back.

We all had to pitch in to drive

Our first day found us in Louisiana,New Orleans.
 


We went first to eat dinner at a restaurant called the Courtyard Grill, a great Turkish/Persian restaurant.

Doner Durum

I had the doner durum, very delicious.

Afterwards, we drove to the French Quarter.

Kids on the Mississippi River

We met my cousin and her family and had coffee and beignets at Cafe du Monde.

Cafe du Monde

The next morning we returned to the quarter and took a carriage ride.  The kids loved it.


 

Seeing the line at Cafe du Monde, we found we were wise for going the night before.

Cafe du Monde

After the carriage ride, we explored Jackson Square.

St. Louis cathedral and Jackson Statue in Jackson Square

Street Band playing in Jackson Square

St. Louis Cathedral

Nativity scene in St. Louis Cathedral

Magician street performer in Jackson Square

Around that time, it was time for lunch at Central Grocery for a muffuletta.

Line outside of Central Grocery

Line inside of Central Grocery

Counter in Central Grocery

1/2 Muffuletta

Afterwards, we said farewell to NOLA and headed west.

Mississippi River

We crossed into Texas that night and spent the night in Orange.



The next day we had lunch with my great-uncle and great-aunt and had our first Texas BBQ.

That night we made it to Corpus Christi.

While in Corpitos, we hit some of the main sites, the Texas State Aquarium and the museum.

Texas State Aquarium

Watching the dolphins at the Texas State Aquarium

Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Big Bugs exhibit at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Columbus Ships at Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Columbus Ships at Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Selena exhibit at Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

Butterfly in the xeriscape at Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History

By the aquarium under the Harbor Bridge is an observation deck. Now the observation deck is closed because they installed a radar on the 2nd deck, but it is still a cool area to go watch ships.

M/V DHT Cathy passing under the Harbor Bridge

M/V DHT Cathy exiting the port of Corpus Christi

Pushing over the Harbor Bridge

For New Years Eve, the Mrs. and I went to Bleu Bistro for their New Year's Eve dinner.

Afterwards, we went next door to the Havana Club, where the most exciting thing was the giraffe art.

  

 What visit to Corpitos would be complete without a visit to the Selena Memorial?

Our trip home brought us through Baton Rouge around lunch where we ate at Zapata's, a good Mexican restaurant.

That night brought us to Mobile where we spent the night then toured the USS Alabama and USS Drum.

For dinner, we went to Foosackly's, famous for chicken strips.

The next day found us in Columbus, Georgia, where we ate a magnificent lunch at Minnie's Uptown Restaurant. A great cafeteria style lunch, my favorite of the entire trip.

And then we were home.