Alexandria, La

[Coloradobus]

We will be passing thru Alexandria, La and visit the Kent Plantation House grounds on our way to TGO for shuttle launch. We may just stop at the plantation and head to French Quarter RV Resort and not spend any time in Alexandria. Anyone know of a nice safe rv park we may stop at? I have chceked with a CRACKER BARREL at I-49-Exit 90, and they said it was OK for overnight. The Mgr followed that statement, "things haven't been the same since Katrina and be sure to lock everything">
Hmmm, dry camping maybe out. I haven't found any campgrounds as of yet.
rvparksreview.com hasn't been too kiind to the area.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

We always stayed at KOA west on Jefferson Highway. Since Katrina we haven't been there and have no idea of its status, but it was a convenient place, close enough to be able to go to the French Quarter, but far enough to feel secure.

We always enjoyed the drive along the river and down St. Charles to the French Quarter. We often parked in the Riverwalk parking lot and then took the trolley, with a mandated stop at the Central Market or Cafe DuMond (I may have the spelling wrong). It is a great walking city (or was).

[ajhaig]

We stayed at the French Quarter RV park during Mardi Gras last year; we felt safe in the facility, but the surrounding area is a bit sketchy, especially at night. New Orleans is great.

[merle&louise]

Jim,

I have never stayed at the French Quarter RV resort in New Orleans, but I have talked to a few people who have and they liked it very much. New Orleans is a great city but like all cities there are certain places that should be avoided.

The French Quarter RV resort is located in a very dangerous part of the city; however, the resort does provide 24 hour security and the RV park is surrounded by a fence. If you leave the resort after dark, I would use my toad or call a cab. Don't walk to the French Quarter from the RV park at night! During the day, I would feel safe if Winchester and seven or eight of his college football buddies were walking with me.

As Jon said, the French Quarter is beautiful at this time of year. The beignets & coffee at Cafe du Monde is always a treat, and I really enjoy listening to the Dixieland bands around Farmer's market. Harrah's Casino and a ride on a Mississippi riverboat is also a lot of fun and is within walking distance of the French Quarter.

My personal restaurant favorites are Antoine's & Galatories' which are located in the Quarter. I could make a meal from the french bread & butter at Galatories'.

DANS and I are planning to caravan to Titusville. We would love to have you and Chris join us. PM me or call my cell 985 381 6613.

[merle&louise]

Jim,

If you like to visit Southern plantations; Nottoway Plantation http://www.nottoway.com/ in White Castle, LA and Oak Alley Plantation http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/ in Donaldsonville, LA are really nice.
They are in close proximity of each other, so it would be easy to visit both in one day. Oak Alley has bus parking, so you could just use your tow vehicle to tour Nottoway and leave the H3 at Oak Alley.

Nottoway used to have over night accommodations (you actually sleep in one of the Main house bedrooms). It is gorgeous; antiques and a great tour of how the south was years ago. A wealthy Austrailian purchased it a few years back and renovated the house and grounds. It is located on the Mississippi River and has an excellent restaurant on the plantation grounds.

Google Chef John Folse if you are interested in fine cuisine (dont' forget your wallet - it is EXPENSIVE)!

[Darrell McCarley]

JIM.....If you are traveling south on I-49, take exit 138 (Natchitoches) .2 mi west to the truck stop for the best take out cat fish ever. Truck and RV parking in the rear of the truck stop. Easy in and out for a quick rest. There is a RV park behind the truck stop. Natchitoces Campground. If you decide to stop, unhook and drive into downtown Natchitoces to see a Louisiana town built on the bayou.......Darrell

[Danss]

About 50 miles east of New Orleans in Bay St. Louis, Ms. just off of I-10 the Hollywood casino has a great RV park. Come on over to Ms. where the living is easy an caravan down with Tuga and I to Florida. Dan and Jo

[Gary & Peggy Stevens]

Jim & Chris, all of the guys are right-on about the Possible Problems, one may encounter in and around the N.O. area these days.

Peg and I stayed two years ago in the French Quarter RV Resort, before we got the bus, and it was a very nice resort, felt very secure while in the Resort. At the desk when we checked in, they even told us to not walk around the outside walls of the resort or to the Quarter after dark.

They said to walk during the day to the Qtr, was fine usually, :eek: and if we were down town after dark, to hail a cab, tell them where we needed to go, and the resort would pick up the tab of the taxi back to the Resort. And that trip was before the big storm.

Are you guys passing through Houston? Maybe we can meet you guys for lunch or dinner. Call us.

Gary S.

[Coloradobus]

Thanks for the insight. We have heard from others the FQRV is in a rough part of town.
We were planning our route like this.
Feb5th evening departure, with overnight drycamping in SE Colorado maybe Lamar, if we leave in time.
Feb 6th over night Camp Marathon, Grand Prairie/FT Worth TX
Feb 7 East on I-20 to Shreveport and south on I-49 to New Orleans, with stop in Alexandria. Thought about Hwy 71 south out of Shreveport to Alexandria, but don't know the road. any suggestions, road conditions, low branches or weak bridges?
Either arrive Feb 7th at French Quarter if we don't stop before
Feb 8th one night stay at French Quarter. with current reservation
Feb 9th Over night in Shalimar/Ft Walton Beach FL with airstream friends,
Feb 10, one days travel 466 miles to TGO


Feb 13th head over to Lazy Days overnight or Camp Marathon Fla
Feb 14 head to FT Wilderness for playtime in Disney
Feb19th leave Ft W/Disney to parts unknown and head our way back home.


Thanks for the Caravan invite, but we have already committed to overnight at CAMP Herb and Sidra in the panhandle of FL. Maybe we can meet up on the 10th heading to TGO.

Anyhow, does anyone have a suggestion where to camp over night in or near Alexandria, LA??

[Danss]

Just south of Alex,La. is Paragon Casino at Marksville,La with a very nice RV park.
Check it out on the map. Good luck. dan

[lewpopp]

Jim and Chris,

You might be watching the liftoff on tv at Lazy Days. Hope you see it in person, but shit happens.