Monday, August 11, 2008

Alligator Park, meat pies, and Dallas

David is on the Emergency Room service this month which means he has several days off at a time (a nice change from general surgery). To celebrate this luxury of having time together we headed off on a road trip this weekend. Our first stop was in the town of Natchitoches, LA (pronounced nak-a-dish if you can believe it) about an hour south of Shreveport. Natchitoches is home to the Alligator Park and famous for their meat pies, so our trip included stops to experience each of these.

The Alligator Park was a riot. During the feeding shows they dangled chickens over the water and 20+ gators gathered round trying to get a piece of the delectable treat. It was a sight to behold.

Here we are holding a very menacing teenage gator. Disregard the electrical tape securing his jaws shut…trust me, our lives were in peril! Note how I let David hold the more menacing end just in case our gator friend got a little excited and needed a potty break.

Here are some more photos from the Park...



We stopped at the snack shop for some “gator tots” before we left. They weren’t as yummy as the alligator we ate at the Peach Festival in June, but still pretty good. With our appetizer out of the way, we headed to Lasyone’s Meat Pie Kitchen in downtown Natchitoches for none other than a…meat pie. “What is a meat pie?” you may be asking yourself. Well, if you imagine taking a slab of meatloaf, wrapping it in dough and then deep frying it, you get the essence of these little goodies. They were quite tasty and came with a guarantee to clog your arteries.
After our Natchitoches adventures, it was off to Dallas to hang out with my brother, Cory, and his family. He, his wife, Kerri, and three girls moved there a few weeks ago and we are SO excited to have them only three hours away. While in Dallas, we attended the temple with some people from our ward which was wonderful. We were spoiled in Reno with the temple so close.
We’re back home now and had a great time exploring some of the hot spots of this area…well, everywhere is a hot spot this time of year, but you get my point!

14 comments:

Brittany Wagner said...

YAY on the boy by the way!! We were told Chuck was a boy and um nope a girl!! So I say get one more ultrasound!! How fun you guys were able to hang out for a bit! Your little belly is getting so cute!!

Reno 411 said...

Are "gator tots" any good? The Alligator Park looks like a very interesting place. It is fun to get out and about when David has time off. Yay for you both!

MariLouise said...

Thanks for the shout-out, but you're glad you didn't come see us in Dallas because we were both sick as dogs with the stomach flu this weekend! Maybe next time. :)

nevadanista said...

There really are so many uses for electrical and duct tape, aren't there? Glad you're seeing (and hearing) so many fascinating things!

Btw, I loved your “Louisianan” to Standard American English translation dictionary.

Kerri said...

So fun to have you!!

Carol and Tyler said...

That is awesome! Do you think the alligator park will hold the same amount of amusement a second time around? Because this seems like a must see during our trip out there!

Camille said...

Congrats on the boy! Boys are so much fun. Glad you were able to get away together for a few days.

Nicole said...

I'm so excited that you guys are getting to do so many wierd things before this little boy gets here! I don't know if I would even try anything gator...you go guys!

Melany said...

Looks like you two (almost 3) are livin' it up down there in the south! Jenny you look great.

Jim Elsmore said...

Cool gators! Looks like a lot of fun!

Noel said...

First of all--CONGRATS on the BOY!!! Yea! I am even more thrilled because Tiff is having a boy too. That's going to be fun. I know you probably had no preference, I didn't either, although I could have sworn that Tyson was a girl, but you will just love having a little buddy first. I have loved that about Tyson. He is a rough and tough boy, but has a soft spot for his momma. Congrats again!

Now, to the humidity! Can you even stand it!?!? I swear I did not leave the house from March to August. Nice planning ;) on the pregnancy... Winter is a great time to deliver a baby out there.

*NaTaLiE SaNdaLL* said...

What a fun few trips you went on! That is nice to be closer to Corey & Kerri. And a boy, YEAH! Congrats, we are so happy for you guys:o)

tiffany said...

Love the pic with the gator! You are looking great!

Emily said...

Hot Dog!! We are excited for you. The baby bump is looking good.