and then into Louisiana were we spent the nights of 9/27 & 28...
...At this RV Park just a few miles out of New Orleans.
Where we could see the remnants of recent hurricane Katrina.
They had to cut down over 100 trees due to salt water in the soil.
You can see the tree stump by our door, and the felled logs from many of the
downed/damaged trees
More evidence from the storm.
During Hurricane Katrina, the office of the RV Park was flooded to to the painted
change of color line way above Jean's head.
The entire building, and RV Park had to be rebuilt.
This is a photograph taken during Hurricane Katrina just outside the RV Park entrance.
On Sunday, Sept 28th, we ventured into New Orleans to visit the
"D-Day / National WW II Museum"
A very interesting trip, for those that lived during this conflict,
or for those that knew someone who did.
Here is the original draft, with FDR's hand written notes, on his address to Congress
on December 8, 1941. Note the "A day that will live in infamy" phrase.
A display of some of the Higgins built boats are available for viewing.
A "PT" boat (above, think JFK, and his 'PT-109'), one of the many Higgins boats of various designs built in New Orleans.
A lot of memorabilia from the war on display.
A WW-II era tank. This marked as assigned to the 2nd Armored Division.
(Which I served in, after the war, 1954-56, in Germany)
Vehicle gas coupon grade level for your car windshield.
3 gallons per week was all we were permitted.
How many could survive on that today?
A gas coupon book. Similar books were for some foods, shoes, etc.
A German (captured) Enigma Machine.
This letter from "Ike" was given to each member of the invading forces.
This copy was carried thru' some of the war by one of the soldiers.
A Japanese propaganda poster depicting FDR as a monster.
much evidence of the Hurricane Ike damage.
Wind blown 'stuff' in trees, roofs torn off, a lot of blue tarps covering damaged
roofs, most advertising signs in shambles and/or blown to the ground, Interstate direction
signs bent, or flat on the ground, even block buildings with missing walls, trees down, many landing on houses.
 (Above & below) Some of the wind caused sign damage |
 |
 A process used to permit flow using all lanes moving in the same direction - away from the storm. |
As we drove west we noticed (about a) 300 vehicle convoy of tree
& utility trucks from all over North America
traveling to the area. Many working along the Interstate
removing fallen trees, repairing utilities.
As we drove through residential areas to our RV Park north and
east of Houston we could see the
damage to the residences and business with damaged buildings,
signs, roofs and trees & landscaping.
We were held up for long periods of time, due to one way traffic
because of utility and tree repair crews working along the
roadside.
The RV Park where we spent the night of Sept. 29 is filled
mostly by repair crews from all of the country-side.
Definitely an eye opener. You
see the video on TV, news photos, but until you can see it for
yourself the
extent of the damage, it doesn't really sink in.
Had trouble finding gas near
our RV site. Not because they were out of gas,
but because there were so many stations still so structurally
damaged,
that they were not able to pump.
We spent a little over two days visiting my brother Peter, and his wife Betty
while in San Antonio.
On October 2nd, we did our tourist duty and visited The Alamo.
Although we have visited the San Antonio area several times over the last 25 years,
we never had the opportunity to visit
this particular area of historical significance.
Another view (of a model) of the original structures during the siege
in 1836
As seen today.
On October 3rd, we left San Antonio after an enjoyable stay,
and headed west again, this time toward Gilbert, AZ
where our son Mark and his wife Melinda live,
as well as our daughter Nancy.
Following that, we will head home to Imperial Beach.
To follow along, click on the left, to the last link.