El Paso and new Orleans

[Silver Nomad]

Hi, Hubby and I are going to be taking a six week road trip from L.A. to Florida and back again. On the way back we will be checking out the Deep South. Two questions. While in New Orleans I would love to do a swamp boat tour. Is it a good time at this time of the year to do one? We will be there end of February. Second question, we will also be heading back to AZ along the I10. I would like to see El Paso but have heard some scary stories. Is it safe and where do you recommend we stay. We are an Australian couple in our 60's.

[Midwest Michael]

I'm curious about the "scary stories" you've heard about El Paso.

You're hardly the first to say something like that, but I've never seen anything resembling a fact to back any of them up. Juarez, on the Mexican side of the border is one of the most dangerous cities in the world and is not a place I would recommend going. However, the problems do seem to end at the border. In fact, statistically speaking El Paso is one of the safest cities in US.

Sorry, I don't have any info about Swamp Boat Tours around NOLA.

[AZBuck]

There are about half a dozen swamp tour operators working out of New Orleans. Unfortunately, I don't have any personal knowledge on which to make a recommendation. I would note a couple of things, though. I would certainly also check out the tours which are run from the small town of Jean Lafitte south of New Orleans if only because they'd be closer to the swamps to begin with. And I'd also check out the Creole Nature Trail in southwestern Louisiana for some other ways to experience the bayous.

AZBuck

[keithg]

Welcome back Ann.
Great to see. I know you send emails back of your trips for your wonderful friends (like me) to read with some pics attached. They are always fantastic and i still have them all in my emails. Could you possibly include this site as well? Wouldnt have to change anything. Just post in the Road Trip report part. Also I'm sure you would have a lot of advice for others with all the travelling you have done there over the years. :) :) I'm looking forward to hearing all about the trip. I will point out here that Silver Nomad is a briliant award winning photographer.

I know Ann. I'm a mongrel and you can push me in the ocean when you get back hehehe.

Cheers. Keith

[Mark Sedenquist]

I wasn't aware of the photographic legacy of the Silver Nomad, (so thanks to Keith for letting us know). Yes, please, we'd love to see your photographs!

Mark

[Lifemagician]

Oh yes, please post your trip report and the photos of which Keith speaks, on our Roadtrip Field Reports forum. I too am eager to see them. No matter how long ago the trip was, the trip report will still be appreciated. Just ask Keith.

Lifey

[keithg]

Oh yes, please post your trip report and the photos of which Keith speaks, on our Roadtrip Field Reports forum. I too am eager to see them. No matter how long ago the trip was, the trip report will still be appreciated. Just ask Keith.

Lifey

Your right Lifey. I thought i was way to late but the number of reads of my report say otherwise.
Silver Nomad has been over at least 4 times now for a number of weeks each time and is heading off again on sunday for 6 weeks. It will be awesome to read about it all. If i dont survive the day out, you will know i'm in trouble for dobbing her in. :)

Keith

[Silver Nomad]

I'm curious about the "scary stories" you've heard about El Paso.

You're hardly the first to say something like that, but I've never seen anything resembling a fact to back any of them up. Juarez, on the Mexican side of the border is one of the most dangerous cities in the world and is not a place I would recommend going. However, the problems do seem to end at the border. In fact, statistically speaking El Paso is one of the safest cities in US.

Sorry, I don't have any info about Swamp Boat Tours around NOLA.

Hi Michael, A friend of mine who lives in Phoenix advised us once a few years ago not to stay overnight in El Paso as it was so close to the border and was dangerous. I've been afraid to go there since and have done everything possible to avoid going there. Just lately I've read that it was actually a very safe town which made me put the question to RTA to verify it.
Cheers,
Ann.

[Silver Nomad]

Thank you AZ. I'll check them out. The Creole Nature Trail sounds good too.

[Silver Nomad]

Thanks Keith. (she says through gritted teeth.) If I have time from wrestling gators and eating Texas BBQ I'll do that. :)