Mardi Gras - 3/2011    

Participants in the Mid-City Parade enjoying the challenge of throwing beads to parade onlookers perched on a roof.

Statistics:

Dates: March 3 to 7, 2010;  6 parades in 2 cities

 

Areas Explored: Mississippi Delta, Southeast Louisiana

Transportation: 2009 Grand Caravan

New Frontiers: First time at Mardi Gras, lots of new food

Cast: Scott, Jessica, Andrew, Mike

Parades: Baton Rouge Southdowns; Spanish Town; Poseidon; New Orleans Okeanos; Mid-City; Thoth

 

Trip Notes: Day 1: Drove overnight from Chicago to Baton Rogue along I-57, I-55, and the Natchez Trace. Saw neighborhood Southdowns Parade. Day 2: Enjoyed the Spanish Town and Poseidon parades after a nice night in the Hilton and a storm. Day 3: Long delays for the big three afternoon parades in Uptown N.O. Day 4: Explored the Mississippi Delta and has an adventurous drove home.

 

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See Mardi Gras in the flesh below.
 
360s coming very soon!
 

Reveler at the Krewe of Southdowns parade in the neighborhoods of  southern Baton Rouge.

Home to Baton Rouge: Southdowns, Spanish Town, Poseidon

Andrew woke up in Memphis after a long night riding down I-57.Andrew woke up in Memphis after a long night riding down I-57. A beautiful spring field along the Natchez Trace southwest of Jackson, MS.A beautiful spring field along the Natchez Trace southwest of Jackson, MS. The Windsor Ruins near Arcola, MS, is all that remains of a stately antebellum mansion.The Windsor Ruins near Arcola, MS, is all that remains of a stately antebellum mansion. The ruins are quiet and overgrown with clover.The ruins are quiet and overgrown with clover. Andrew was keeping a sharp eye for ghosts at the ruins.Andrew was keeping a sharp eye for ghosts at the ruins. Where Coles Creek and the Trace meet is a nice place to rest.Where Coles Creek and the Trace meet is a nice place to rest. The view from our fifth floor room along the Baton Rouge parade route.The view from our fifth floor room along the Baton Rouge parade route. After checking into our downtown hotel we found out about a neighborhood parade in Southdowns.After checking into our downtown hotel we found out about a neighborhood parade in Southdowns. We were attacked by biting ants while watching the parade.We were attacked by biting ants while watching the parade. Another great float at the Southdowns parade, where we did not meet any tourists.Another great float at the Southdowns parade, where we did not meet any tourists. Poor weather did not disuade these guys from tailgating in downtown Baton Rouge.Poor weather did not disuade these guys from tailgating in downtown Baton Rouge. Andrew waiting in the room for the parades to begin.Andrew waiting in the room for the parades to begin. After a strong storm, we headed out to find the Spanish Town rolling, soaked but in good spirits.After a strong storm, we headed out to find the Spanish Town rolling, soaked but in good spirits. Andrew attracted attention from almost every float.Andrew attracted attention from almost every float. The crowd calls for beads during the Spanish Town parade on Lafayette Avenue.The crowd calls for beads during the Spanish Town parade on Lafayette Avenue. As the weather cleared up a bit, the crowds thickened.As the weather cleared up a bit, the crowds thickened. The theme of the Spanish Town was a cynical look at the BP oil spill.The theme of the Spanish Town was a cynical look at the BP oil spill. Most of the krewes were collections of families and friends from bars.Most of the krewes were collections of families and friends from bars. After the parade, the streets were littered with beads and trinkets.After the parade, the streets were littered with beads and trinkets. On the Baton Rouge levee.On the Baton Rouge levee. The I-10 bridge over the Mississippi River.The I-10 bridge over the Mississippi River. Andrew and Mommy walking along the levee.Andrew and Mommy walking along the levee. Port Allen, across the Mississippi, was a very busy place.Port Allen, across the Mississippi, was a very busy place. The U.S.S. Kidd is docked in Baton Rouge. It saw action in the Korean War.The U.S.S. Kidd is docked in Baton Rouge. It saw action in the Korean War. The skyline of Baton Rouge, LA.The skyline of Baton Rouge, LA. A riverboat casino in Baton Rouge.A riverboat casino in Baton Rouge. Police were not only escorting, but participating in the Poseidon parade.Police were not only escorting, but participating in the Poseidon parade. Andrew sees another parade on the way.Andrew sees another parade on the way. The staff of Leroy's Seafood come out to watch Poseidon roll down Lafayette.The staff of Leroy's Seafood come out to watch Poseidon roll down Lafayette. A leading float in the Poseidon parade, which began parading in 2010.A leading float in the Poseidon parade, which began parading in 2010. The queen of the Krewe of Poseidon parade.The queen of the Krewe of Poseidon parade. "Throw me somthin', mistah!" The crowds threw beads at this float, hoping to catch them on Haphaestus' hammer.The crowds threw beads at this float, hoping to catch them on Haphaestus' hammer. We tried to walk away from the parade, but bumped into two more times as it wound through the city.We tried to walk away from the parade, but bumped into two more times as it wound through the city. After the parade rolled down Lafayette, it left quite a mess.After the parade rolled down Lafayette, it left quite a mess. The cathedral of St. Joseph in Baton Rouge.The cathedral of St. Joseph in Baton Rouge. The captain of the Poseidon parade wore himself out fast.The captain of the Poseidon parade wore himself out fast. A participant in the Poseidon parade enjoying life on the float.A participant in the Poseidon parade enjoying life on the float. Hermes turns the corner.Hermes turns the corner. Keep the paint cans out of the Baton Rouge storm drains.Keep the paint cans out of the Baton Rouge storm drains. Here comes another parade! (Check out the shirt he didn't want to put on.)Here comes another parade! (Check out the shirt he didn't want to put on.) Most state Capitols are not the terminals of Mardi Gras parades.Most state Capitols are not the terminals of Mardi Gras parades. Baton Rouge will need to take a while to get over its party weekend.Baton Rouge will need to take a while to get over its party weekend.
 

Barge cruising up the Mississippi off the port of Baton Rouge, LA.

New Orleans to Home: Okeanos, Mid-City, Thoth
We returned early to the same spot we saw the parades last year.We returned early to the same spot we saw the parades last year. Obviously there were already parades passing this area.Obviously there were already parades passing this area. Andrew really wanted to see the parade well.Andrew really wanted to see the parade well. It took a long time, but eventually the Okeanos parade came down St. Charles.It took a long time, but eventually the Okeanos parade came down St. Charles. Last year's Okeanos queen still had a place of honor in the parade.Last year's Okeanos queen still had a place of honor in the parade. A very nice local let Andrew stand in his cordoned off spot along the route.A very nice local let Andrew stand in his cordoned off spot along the route. Okeanos' theme was Okeanos' theme was "Childhood Dreams." Tomahawk!!!Tomahawk!!! The King of Okeanos.The King of Okeanos. The Mid-City parade was also delayed for some reason.The Mid-City parade was also delayed for some reason. A Mid-City particpant looking for a throwing challenge.A Mid-City participant looking for a throwing challenge. A dragon float from the Mid-City krewe.A dragon float from the Mid-City krewe. The foil floats of the Krewe of Mid-City are very photogenic.The foil floats of the Krewe of Mid-City are very photogenic. The Thoth parade was high-powered . It rained beads.The Thoth parade was high-powered . It rained beads. Some members of the Thoth Krewe throwing from their floats.Some members of the Thoth Krewe throwing from their floats. Thoth's theme was college majors, a good idea since there were many Spring breakers in N.O.Thoth's theme was college majors, a good idea since there were many Spring breakers in N.O. The Thoth sphynx.The Thoth sphynx. Andrew slept through all the excitement of the Thoth parade.Andrew slept through all the excitement of the Thoth parade. Some Thoth members throwing.Some Thoth members throwing. These guys seem to be posing for their baseball cards.These guys seem to be posing for their baseball cards. Andrew writing in his diary at the hotel in McComb, MS.Andrew writing in his diary at the hotel in McComb, MS. The old synagogue in Port Gibson, MS.The old synagogue in Port Gibson, MS. Check out the top of this steeple in Port Gibson.Check out the top of this steeple in Port Gibson. The Mississippi Delta was a frequent bear hunting spot for Theodore Roosevelt.The Mississippi Delta was a frequent bear hunting spot for Theodore Roosevelt. Mike bet me I couldn't find alligators. I won that bet at Yazoo NWR.Mike bet me I couldn't find alligators. I won that bet at Yazoo NWR. Alligator Pond at the Yazoo NWR. Most of the refuge was pretty dry.Alligator Pond at the Yazoo NWR. Most of the refuge was pretty dry. This large Mississippi gator was poised to attack, but we avoided it.This large Mississippi gator was poised to attack, but we avoided it. A pile of baby gators in the mud. They were about 2 feet long.A pile of baby gators in the mud. They were about 2 feet long. This is one of the biggest gators I ever saw. It was near 8 feet and quite thick.This is one of the biggest gators I ever saw. It was near 8 feet and quite thick. A carriage on Beale Street in Memphis.A carriage on Beale Street in Memphis. Back to work on Mardi Gras, but no reason NOT to enjoy the King Cake we bought in Louisiana.Back to work on Mardi Gras, but no reason NOT to enjoy the King Cake we bought in Louisiana.

• Photos copyright 2011by S. Plencner or J. Bezold • All other content copyright 2011 by S. Plencner •