LA
Carnival Liberty Day 9: New Orleans LA to Lehigh Acres FL
We had sent our large suitcase ashore because, on previous cruises, getting an elevator in the disembarkation rush was nearly impossible and carrying a heavy suitcase down 4 flights is not fun. Today we had no problem getting an elevator but then had to wait for our disembarkation number to be called because all the … Continue reading
Carnival Liberty Day 2: Embarkation in New Orleans LA
The Econolodge was just 4 miles from the Carnival cruise terminal, but, as I have mentioned, it is Mardi Gras season in New Orleans, so getting a taxi is more difficult – and more expensive – than usual. This became an issue when we checked out at 11am. We took our bags to the office … Continue reading
Carnival Liberty Day 1: Lehigh Acres FL to Gretna LA
Unlike every other cruise we have taken, this one started with an all-day drive to the port. It was 805 miles via FL 884, I-75, I-10 and US 90. It included a short detour to drop off Becky in Ft Myers where she will be cared for by a friend (and will socialize with another … Continue reading
Carnival Liberty preview
We are going on a cruise next week. That isn’t exactly earth-shattering news to those who know us. This one will be special because it is Marlene’s “milestone” cruise – her 25th cruise on Carnival Cruise Lines. It will be on the Carnival Liberty, out of New Orleans. That port will also be special – … Continue reading
TN_11 Hop 3: Beaumont TX to Hot Springs AR
396 miles via US-96, US-59, US-79, I-20, I-220 (around Shreveport), I-49, I-30 and US-270 with several shopping stops in Beaumont and a refueling stop at Walmart in Center TX. Auto miles: 399 (3 extra miles to get ice). Cumulative route miles: 1428. Cumulative auto miles: 1431. This was the “easy” hop – just 6 hours. … Continue reading
TN_11 Hop 2: Tallahassee FL to Beaumont TX
619 miles via I-10 and I-110 in Lake Charles LA. Auto miles: 619. Cumulative route miles: 1032. Cumulative auto miles: 1032. This was another LONG day of driving – over 9 hours. And on 3 hours sleep. Not pleasant. But we got there. We did have some stops along the way. First, we got gas … Continue reading
TX1 Hop 5: Lafayette LA to Fairhope AL
277 miles via I-10, I-12 (north of New Orleans) and US 98. We took a bit of a roundabout way getting from our hotel in Lafayette to I-10 and stopped for lunch in Port Allen LA. Cumulative miles: 1912. This was an easy trip to navigate, but, like most of the other hops on TX1, … Continue reading
TX1 Hop 4: Austin TX to Lafayette LA
386 miles via TX 183, TX 71 and I-10 with two rest and refueling stops. Cumulative miles: 1635. About 10 miles were due to a wrong turn at the start of the TX 71 segment and a navigational error by yours truly that took us to the wrong hotel. Oops. This was an easy hop … Continue reading
TX1 Hop 3: Port Allen LA to Austin TX
428 miles via I-10, US 69, TX 105 and US 290. Cumulative miles: 1249. This was a miserable trip that involved nearly 9 hours of travel time. Some of that time was due to the planned breaks, including lunch at McDonald’s, but 6 miles were due to missing the Texas Welcome Center which Ooma wanted … Continue reading
TX1 Hop 2: Tallahassee FL to Port Allen LA
443 miles, almost entirely on I-10, except for I-12 north of New Orleans. Cumulative miles: 821. This was a simple hop in terms of navigation: get on I-10 west, go until I-12 split off, go to the end of I-12 and rejoin I-10 then take the exit for the hotel in Port Allen. But the … Continue reading