April videos

 

Spring Break Day 7-Steamboat Natchez

We took a tour on the Mississippi River on a genuine steam boat! It was called the Natchez. This is the 9th Natchez. Every time they retire one, they rename the new one "Natchez." This one has been in service since 1975 but the steam engine inside is from 1926. 

The French Quarter from the steamboat. The weather clouded up and got humid but luckily it stayed warm for our boat ride! 

I couldn't get over how many barges and ships were on this river. It was like a superhighway of shipping! Vessel after vessel would go by. Many were from very far away places too! I saw ships from the Netherlands and Hong Kong. It was unbelievable to me. 

It was neat that the paddle wheel was actually turned by a real steam engine. 

Interesting to see how little the French Quarter buildings looked in front of the tall buildings in New Orleans. 

The kids didn't understand why the water was so muddy. 

The wheel 

Another view of the French Quarter from the steamboat

Steaming away from the French Quarter

Huge ships that we passed. Mostly, though, they passed us on their way around the world. 

A place where soldiers trained during the Civil War. 

Domino Sugar Factory. That place was huge!They process over a million tons of a sugar a year. 

Looking out at all the boats. 

Lots of muddy water. 

We headed down to the steam engine room to have a look around. 

The sides of the river were just lined with barges. 

Two big ships racing. Not really, but they were moving quickly compared to us. 

It was a great tour! The captain talked and kind of gave a tour of everything we saw. When he wasn't talking, they had a jazz band playing live music. 

We headed back into the French Quarter. The kids were bored of walking around. 

We headed back across the river to Jeremy's cousin. I was shocked by how many big buildings in New Orleans were just left to rot after Hurricane Katrina. The picture above shows some. 

Elizabeth and her cousin created some art on the wall during their bath. 

Jeremy and Nathan had fun playing chess! 

Spring Break Day 7-New Orleans-French Quarter

We drove back across the river to visit the French Quarter in New Orleans. 

Most of New Orleans looks modern. 

Then, you turn the corner and the French Quarter looks totally different with the buildings! It was really neat. 

We walked around and saw the famous Cafe Du Monde. We did not; however, wait in line. The kids couldn't have eaten there anyway so it didn't matter.

We walked around and looked at everything. 

The kids watched a street performer. 

We went in and visited St. Louis Cathedral. It's the oldest cathedral in the US I think. 

The huge organ!

They had an exact copy of the bible of St. Louis that was from 1226. The original is in Spain. 

It was interesting to see what a bible from 1226 looked like! 

Jackson Square!

Elizabeth and her cousin found this little "fairy" hut they thought was awesome. 

Jeremy had an alligator dog! He said it was pretty good. 

A really big alligator!