Today did not look promising, temperature wise. It was 14 degrees with 20 plus mph winds and we were going on a swamp tour, open boat. We thought about backing out, money aside. So, we went and dam it was bitingly cold especially when he opened the throttle to push it up river. We had hands over our ears and snuggled against each other, it was Eryn Ashley and I. The shuttle picked us up then transferred us then to the bus, that was unexpected. The good thing was our driver, he told us interesting facts about NOLA as we drove through then gave more stories about Katrina damage as we drove past the damaged areas. It felt so good to be out of the city, I’m starting to feel hemmed in by the buildings and crowds. We drove over Lake Pontchartrain and saw remnants of the old bridge prior left from the hurricane. There was the abandoned 6 Flags Park, really, they didn’t want to rebuild? Well NOLA, screw them.  We arrived at the Honey Island Swamp Tour Area, and checked in. They seem to have an infestation of cats, cute and very shy. Wonder how many become gator food? We were separated into our groups and boarded, dreading the coming ride. We saw Cypress and Gum trees, learned how big the Cypress can get and just how old they become. Sad that they can be over 1,000 years old and our forefathers just came through and leveled them. The largest left in the state is over 31’ at the base and estimated to be over 1,700 years old! Now Gum trees are the opposite, they only live to be about 80 years old and just about anything seems to kill them. We also saw Snowy Egrets Cormorants, and Great Blue Herons…huge birds, along with recent evidence of wild hogs. No gators as they are in hibernation mode presently. Saw the damage that Nutrias cause too. There was also a lot of debris still left from the hurricane that floats out whenever the water rises. A city soon appeared ahead, living on what seems to be half sunken house boats and leaning every which way pieced together houses, right on the banks with docks half under water. That is not how I want to live, I mean I do want to be away from the city but not in a shanty type town that floods out several times a year. Had I mentioned that I was shivering cold? I looked at the weather prior to coming down and saw 60’s and 70’s. What actually happened was we brought our weather with us. Our guide was really good, he knew so much about the animals and the entire ecosystem and how it all interacts within itself. We looked at some newer, nicer homes that had been re-built after the storm surge came through. One house was 16’ up, it had to be built above the previous surge level. Who wants to live like this? A sign on one house said “tourist taste great”. I love humor so that works for me. Heading back to the camp we go under a bridge that at one time was the only main highway through this state. Wow. Did it ever feel good to be off that boat and in the building, then onto the bus. Warmth all around. We decided that we wanted sushi once back in town, so to Geisha Sushi Bistro. Now, this was well worth it. Had a drink called the Geisha, very nice and a nice sashimi plate that was well decorated and put together but most of all, tasted extraordinary. I love my sushi. The girls chickened out and had Hibachi fried rice. Really? Try something different in a new place, well Ashley is allergic to shellfish, so she’s off the hook, kind of. Since we spent the whole day outside we went for one final stop then back to the hotel. That stop? Why the Café Du monde of course. We had to get some real Beignets and hot cocoa, and chicory coffee. I cannot fathom coffee, but the chicory I actually like. Most are used to Folger’s (nasty) and cannot stand NOLA’s version, so, go figure I do. Since this was a full and sharply cold day, after the café we went straight back to the girl’s room to write our respective post and order a pizza. That was a disaster, it was over an hour late and cold. This pizza place was called the G-Spot too, what a letdown. No satisfaction.