Thur - WWII Museum, Steamboat & Parade

We started off the day by going to the World War II Museum.  We first were given the chance to see a 4D Imax movie that was narrated by Tom Hanks.  It was great to learn more about how the world was affected but it was rather sobering. 

The 4D movie added movement along with the 3D part.  This showing of the air fights was something else.

The first room in the museum housed actual planes, tanks, jeeps and the landing craft that were used in the D-Day landing at Normandy.

There were plenty of displays showing the war effort but the pictures did not show up very well.  One thing that the soldiers did have supplied to them was chocolate bars - for them and the townspeople they were trying to liberate.  I thought Mark might like to see how the company he works for was involved in the war effort.

This radio in a suitcase was carried by the troops.  It was all ready to hook up whenever they were stopped for the fighting.  I thought Gary and the Ham Radio friends would appreciate this picture.

After the WWII Museum we were treated to a ride on the Natchez steamboat down the Mississippi River.  While we waited to board a lady was playing the steam powered calliope that was located on the top of the ship.  I don't know if you can see her in this picture but she is halfway between the two flags.

As we headed down river we had a buffet lunch served in the dining room.  Red beans and sausage, shrimp etufette, jambalaya, catfish, coleslaw and bread pudding was the fare of the day.  Gary ate all of it while I had some plain rice, bread & dessert!  New Orleans is not a good place for a person with digestive concerns!!

We had a chance to walk around the 3 levels of the steamship and view the river but later decided to sit inside and listen to the Jazz Trio.  They were really good - we've been able to hear a lot of music while in NOLA (New Orleans, LA)

The 3 parades that night were great - but taking pictures was hard.  A lot more people were out to see the parades than there were last Sunday.  We are beginning to see what we've told - the closer we get to Tuesday the more people we'll see and the crazier they may be dressed!

I thought the butterflies and lit up float might show in the picture  as they were really pretty.  
This was the first of the 3 parades and I decided not to try taking any more pictures in the dark.  Lots of beads, cups, toys and other items were thrown from the floats.  It is nothing like any parades you go to anywhere else as the crowd is as active as the parade participants.  I think by time the evening was over we had about 10 pounds of items collected!
We did not get back to camp until about 11 pm so it was a very long day.  Friday morning the bus will come at 8 am so we got to bed as soon as we could.