July 29, 2016 - Off to Kings Canyon and Sequoia NP - PLUS Great NOLA Restaurants

Elisa's Daily Scoop
NEXT TRIP DEPARTS IN: 3 DAYS
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Great NOLA Restaurants 

Hello Folks!!

This week flew for me - how about for you?  Today happens to be the last day of my girls' Summer riding camp.

They had quite a month of equestrian fun and made tremendous progress!  We'll have to see what August brings - we may do a few days a week here and there, but it's a bit up in the air.

There's no question Gianna would all but move into the barn if she had her druthers, but Mommy is a bit tired from the daily grind.  Believe me, the drive is the least of it because while an hour in each direction can be wearing, it's really not the issue.

The challenging part is just the daily grind of preparing food each day, packing up all their swimming and necessary clothing (yes, the barn has a swimming pool, so, they get to cool off.), doing the daily laundry of washing not only their smelly riding clothes, but all the saddle pads and accessories that get dirty, packing up and unpacking the car each day - and then cooking dinner when we get home.

And that doesn't even include the fact that I have no where to stay during the day.  Whereas in the past, i had my house in Remsenburg to stay for the six hours they were riding on hot, Summer Days, now I'm forced to either hang out the entire six hours at the barn or at do the nomad thing at Tanger Outlets.

It's a sacrifice I do for my girls and their love of riding and I'm proud to say, they only missed 3 days in the past year!  Once when I was sick, once when Kelsey was sick and once due to weather. A little applause for Mom here for her dedication!! lol

I will say, however, I was touched yesterday on the ride home from the barn when Gianna turned to me and said "Mom, you are such an awesome mom for doing what you did all Summer so we could ride."  Kelsey chimed in with "yeah, mom!"

That's what makes it all worth it!!
Of course, let's not forget that I beat respect into them, but I guess it's paying off cuz I have great kids!

As for today - it's Foodie Friday here on TC!
In Monday's Blog this week, I detailed the activities planned for my New Orleans Getaway next week.

I also promised that I would share the list of restaurants on my "eating" schedule while in NOLA.

Care was put into my research in finding eateries that both me and the kids would enjoy in terms of their menus, but also for their atmosphere.  

My other criteria was to find eating establishments that were going to have a quintessential flair of The Big Easy, yet kid-friendly for my girls to enjoy!

​Here's my list...in no particular order! 

​CAFE DU MONDE
Established in 1862 in the New Orleans French Market, it is is a traditional coffee shop serving coffee and Beignets. The Cafe is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week
www.cafedumonde.com

Cafe du Monde (credit: travelexperts.com)

BENNACHIN RESTAURANT
In business since 1992, Bennachin Restaurant provides its customers with a taste of African cuisine.

Known for its Jama Jama, spinach sautéed in vegetable oil, ginger, onion, and garlic, as well as other favorites including the Akara, black eyed pea fritters, the Sisay Singho, baked chicken leg quarter served with spinach, coconut rice, and plantains, and the home-made Ginger Drink. Vegan friendly.

Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner.  
Menu

Bennachin Restaurant (credit: pinterest.com)

​CAFE BEIGNET
Charming, intimate bistro with Cajun fare, beignets & café au lait, plus patio seats with two locations - on Royal Street and Bourbon Street.
Menu
www.cafebeignet.com

Cafe Beignet (credit: entouriste.com)

​THE BIG CHEESY
This restaurant specializes in gourmet grilled cheeses!! How yummy!

There are currently three locations.
Menu
www.thebigcheesy.com

The Big Cheesy (credit: thebigcheesy.com)

DAISY DUKES
Boasting an authentic cajun and southern dining experience in a relaxed atmosphere, their French Quarter location is open 24 hours a day, every day, and offers delivery 24/7 to the New Orleans area.

Breakfast is served 24/7 as well as a lunch and dinner menu.
Menu
www.daisydukesrestaurant.com

Daisy Dukes (credit: tripadvisor.com)

THE CREPE CART
This sounded really fun - a food cart serving a full variety of crepes!!

Menu
Offering vegan, vegetarian and gluten free.

The Crepe Cart (credit: roaming hunger.com)

COURT OF TWO SISTERS 
I booked the Jazz brunch for me and the girls!  This restaurant has been noted as one of The Best in New Orleans.

Menu
www.courtoftwosisters.com

The Court of Two Sisters (credit: courtoftwosisters.com)

SALON RESTAURANT (ABOVE SUCRE BOUTIQUE)
Salon offers modern afternoon tea service, brunch items and desserts.

The restaurant also has a full bar, with an expertly-curated wine menu, specialty cocktails and beer and cider selections. Happy hour runs on Monday, Thursday and Friday from 4-6 pm, featuring $5 wine, cocktail and bubbly selections with complimentary lite bites from the bar. Bottomless Mimosas are available every Saturday and Sunday from 10-3pm for $20 a person. 

Menu
www.restaurantsalon.com

Salon at Sucre (credit: shopsucre.com)

MEALS FROM THE HEART
Offering vegan, vegetarian, gluten free and raw options, Meals from the Heart is a winner of the Trip Advisor Award of Excellent three years in a row.

In the heart of the French Quarter, the restaurant serves organic and freshly-prepared foods, made daily using less sodium, no trans fats, low sugars, low to no cholesterol and no pork or pork by-products.  

Menu
www.mealsfromtheheart.com

Meals from the Heart (neworleansonline.com)

​GREEN GODDESS
Offering vegan and vegetarian options, Green Goddess has a menu that combines the cuisines of French and Thai with Cajun and Soul.

Menu
www.greengoddessrestaurant.com

Green Goddess (credit: louisdressner.com)

 
A few memories of the barn yesterday -- boy, was it HOT there, but the heat didn't stop these girls from saddling up and riding all day!

Gianna tacking up All-Star (c)travelincousins.com

Kelsey riding (c)travelincousins.com

Gianna riding (c)travelincousins.com

Tune in tomorrow for some shopping fun!!

Toodles,
​
-E
xoxo

Tanya's Daily Scoop
DEPARTING TODAY FOR: KINGS CANYON & SEQUIOA NATIONAL PARKS

On the Road Again

Well HOWDY folks!

Here we are again, all packed up and ready to go.

This'll be our first road trip since we went up to Monterey for the Sea Otter Classic...

Monterey, CA - April 2016 (c)travelincousins.com

Of course that's not counting our BIG European Road Trip!!!

Heading into Andorra - European Road Trip - May/June 2016 (c)travelincousins.com

Today is also Dave C's Birthday, so he too is coming along for the fun and adventure. 

  HAPPY BIRTHDAY
           DAVE!

Just in case you are new to the page or feel like you may have missed a beat - this was originally scheduled as a camping trip to Big Sur - but I desperately had to change our plans at the last minute since a nearby wildfire had grown and came dangerously close to where we had our camping reservations, plus it had also shut down all of the nearby state parks.
So needless to say this trip was postponed.

In a few hours we'll be off!

But first...Cosette has Horseback riding, hopefully I can squeeze in going to the gym and I have some more supplies that I need to pick up!

We loaded the SUV last night and hopefully haven't forgot anything. I made my list and checked it waaaay more than twice.
So I think (hope) that we are golden!

Speaking of Golden, we are going to grab a bite on our way out of Los Angeles at Golden Road Brewery - which may sound familiar, as we ate at their Grand Central Market location in downtown Los Angeles on Father's Day.

Father's Day 2016 outside of the Grand Central Market in Los Angeles (c)travelincousins.com

And then before hitting the highway, maybe get a frozen little goodie for the road at a yummy little place which is only a few blocks over... Pictures tomorrow!

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Today's pictures are actually from yesterday and our trip to the very hot, but luckily not humid, however with plenty of flies stables...
Have I mentioned how much I detest flies?

But just look at how much this girl-o-mine LOVES her horse!!

​Don't forget to check out some of the great eateries that Elisa has listed for her trip to NOLA - which happens to begin the day we get back into town! 

Guess we are tag teaming our travels this time around.
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It's been several years since my gang has gone to NOLA, it was pre-Katrina and although it was humid and HOT, we loved every minute of it and had looked forward to one day returning.

Though since Katrina happened not long after we came home, everything changed and we have actually yet to go back...
Although I think we are finally ready - except for the fact that I have a loaded calendar full of other travels!

Plus since our previous visit the city has added a bunch of vegan options and vegan restaurants that were not available during the last visit, and that I'd like to try!!  

Anyhow after this trip, I look forward to next Thursday (since I'll be home - well not really - we'll be at Disneyland's California Adventure).
But I'll locate some TBT pics from our trip to NOLA with so many of the same attractions that our dear cousins will be visiting next week! So fun!!

​And that's gonna be a wrap-a-roo.
I've gotta get finished and we've gotta get on the road :)

See ya from Kings Canyon and Sequioa National Park tomorrow!!

Bye,
​-T