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Mr Wonderful and I were off on our 2016 St Patty’s Road Trip, heading to New Orleans and Louisiana, for the St Patty’s Parade in Metarie.

This time, I was on my toes and as we passed the lot for movie props, I was able to get a few shots out the car window. It’s not every day I see a UFO and the odd assortment of vehicles, from buses to police cars.

We lived in Mobile, Alabama, back in the 90’s and Mr Wonderful belonged to a Mardi Gras association, the Pharoahs. We would jump on a bus and a bunch of us would head to New Orleans for the St Patty’s Parade, so we are familiar with the event. But it is New Orleans, so you never know what you might come across…

It starts out with walking groups. This parade is different from all the Mardi Gras parades. They allow you to walk in the street and approach the guys with flowers and beads, trading a smooch for a trinket…

The day was gorgeous, blue skies, lots of sunshine, floats and beads. The St Patty’s parade also differs from Mardi Gras parades by the stuff they toss. It’s not just beads and toys, but vegetables, everything you need for an Irish stew except for the meat. They toss heads of cabbage, onions, carrots and lemons. Ya gotta keep your eyes peeled because they can take you out.

The parade goes on for hours and after five of them, we were ready to move on, so it was off to Biloxi. We did some sight seeing, heading to the Pass Christian area, driving the coastline. It was windy and the sand drifted and piled up like the snow up north. The Gulf Coast area has still not completely recovered from Hurricane Ivan and Hurricane Katrina and I myself doubt if some of the people will ever come back. Me…I just cannot stay away.

I mean…look at that view. Even on a bad day, the sun shines through the clouds. Good food, good views and good company. So, if you are ever in the area, stop by for a cocktail at the beach. You won’t regret it.