Second night in a tent was great.  I’m definitely getting the hang of it.  The moon is almost full, which, as I’ve learned, makes the nights surreal.  It was easy to see where not to walk, and there were lots of those places.

Getting to the Tabasco Factory/Museum was another trip through small town after small town.  I could never have done it without a GPS.  At the Museum I was preceded by two busloads of young children and many of their parents.  I timed my walking tour around their tours.  (At the Nimitz Museum I’d bought a Navy Veteran ball cap.  It has been a revelation!  Everywhere I go I am thanked for my service.  More practically, it has also gotten me discounts I didn’t know I deserved.  It’s saving me money.)

The Museum tour is extremely well organized and interesting.  Tabasco is still family owned and operated.  The family tree includes a volunteer rough rider, arctic adventurer, nature advocate, etc.  They hide any black sheep very well.  I tried all sorts of sauce; didn’t like any.  Full disclosure: I don’t actually like Tabasco Sauce.  But it was a really fun morning.  Ate my first boudin po’ boy.  Delicious.

Route 90 to New Orleans is largely elevated.  Thump thump thump.  I turned up the suspension setting on the Goldwing to 22, which helped a lot.  Love my ride.  There are a lot of high bridges crossing small and large rivers.  Lots of turbulence in the water.

Checked into the hotel, then went into the city.  It’s a Monday and it’s crowded!  So many walking tours!  Haunted tours, drinking tours, etc.  I did my own tour.  Pat O’Brien’s was my first.  Huge place, maybe five bars?  (Got a triple shot of 17 year old scotch “for my service”.  Not sure I wanted it.)  From there I found many other bars.  I had a Jambalaya with alligator meat (my first time eating alligator).  Very good.  Need more.  Police are everywhere.  Crowds are too.  Many weird stores.  The Museums I wanted to visit were closed today (Monday), so I’ll have to return tomorrow.  Drat.  Wednesday is a busy day though, so the bars will have to be largely avoided.