THE BAD PENNIES
 

The "Bad Pennies"  should call themselves the "Good Pennies" because they did an excellent job arranging this  trip to the Floribama events.

 

We left from the BWI  (Baltimore Washington International Airport)  at 7:00 AM on Thursday, Feb 16.. We arrived  in New Orleans, early enough to pick up 2 vans and drive directly to Baton Rouge for their great Capitol, YRE.   Then back to New Orleans to stay the night at the

Royal Charles Hotel on Charles St. not far from the French Quarter.   Matt arranged dinner at Mulate's - could not ask for better cajun food and good local atmosphere.   There we were able to get acquainted  before our next adventure. Anyone who wished to hit Bourban street did their own thing that evening.

 

Next day our gracious van drivers brought us to Jackson, MS for another capitol walk.  Get those stamps!   Next day we were on our way to Gulf Shores, Alabama, where we stayed in Orange Beach at a hotel overlooking the beach and water. 

 

Beautiful.   Many many walks, bike and swims.  Our vans took us to any start points not at the hotel - who could ask for more?

 

The next day we went to Perdido for the Florida walks - all were great. Our gracious host actually had the start point in her home.    Beautiful walks along the gulf and the bay.   But we were sad to see in all the  states we visited the devastation caused by Katrina.   Very sad.

 

That evening Matt arranged dinner at Zekes back in Alabama.  What a great place - - with an excellent menu to complement the scenic views on the gulf   ( guess you can see I like the water).

 

Monday we were on our way back to New Orleans.  It was the beginning of Mardi Gras and though were not there for the evening parades we saw the remains of the festivities of the night before - beads all over the place!   The YRE there took us through the French Quarter and  the major points of the city.

 

Then back to the airport.  Oops - that is when the Bad Pennies  who were the Good Pennies turned into the Unlucky Pennies.   Our connecting flight was cancelled and so we were diverted to Atlanta GA.  for an extra day we did not expect.   The airlines paid for our unexpected  flight, hotel accommodations , dinner and breakfast.   Too bad we did not have time for the Atlanta YRE.   But we made the best of it and had lots of fun together.

 

This was my first time walking with the Bad Pennies on one of their trips but it will not be my last.

 

Happy Trails,

 

Maureen Penta,  Princeton Area Walkers