Editor’s note: This next post is from prolific author, Christy. Besides her multiple NOadventure posts, she’s always busy writing for her own super-popular fashion blog SlowSouthernStyle.
A big part of getting out of town is careful planning, finding overnight accommodations, where to eat, what to do, etc.. but sometimes you just want to get in the car and drive and not have to think about all of this. Splendor Farms is a great, quick getaway on the Northshore that feels far enough to get a real vacation vs. a staycation in but is under 2 hours from New Orleans. The only planning necessary is booking the reservation, that’s it.
Splendor Farms is a working farm that doubles as a bed and breakfast for overnight guests. When you first arrive you’ll probably be greeted by one of several farm dogs, but relax they are friendly and want to hang out with you. The farm is also dog friendly, with the exception of a few areas like the goat pen. Take a dip in the pool, feed the goats with the animal crackers left in your room for you, and pick out what you want to eat for breakfast the next morning.
Breakfast is served at either 8:30am or 9:00am, horseback riding at 10:00am. For experienced riders there is also a 3 hour ride in the afternoon. Since falling didn’t appeal to me I opted for the leisurely 1 hour trot through the woods. Even though we went in July the woods were shaded enough that it was a pleasant ride. Make sure to bring closed toe shoes and a pair of jeans wouldn’t hurt either. Having never been on a horse before I found it relatively easy but should you be a little off put by putting your life in the hands, rather hooves of a large animal, you can also borrow a helmet upon request.
The author below with a borrowed pair of pink cowboy boots.
After all that outdoor activity you’ll be hungry and while the rooms have their own fridge and microwave you might as well take the 20 minute drive to Abita Springs and grab dinner at the Abita Brew Pub, which certainly beats eating a heated up microwave dinner in your room. There’s also wifi at the farm so hunting down a restaurant on your phone is no sweat in case you forgot to figure it out at home.
We took advantage of a Living Social deal but normally rates are $275 a night which includes horseback rides and breakfast for two.
Christy Lorio is a freelance writer and the founder of Slow Southern Style.
Ok, so recently planking has been shoved in my face about 15 times in the last two weeks. I am not impressed. Real planking for fitness has been around for ages. Jack Lalanne did that shit on his fingertips all the time.
Standard plank:
Side plank:
Her abs make you want to plank more don’t they? Me too.
Anywhosers… this planking shit has spiraled out of control with major NBA stars shoving themselves in freezers and shit.
There’s also this OTHER planking spinoff thing called “owling” and this is what it looks like:
Not hating on the “we’re just having fun with our friends and taking pictures” thing. That part is cool. It’s just the unfortunate trendiness of planking. Like have you seen the Metamucil commercial with the planking in it?
PLANKING in New Orleans(actually good video)
So all this planking hubbub has got me thinking about the forgotten fads of yesteryear. My favorite recent fad sport is parkour. You can make fun of it all you want like they did in The Office, but dudes who are really good at it probably get laid. Just saying.
Take for example these local dudes – we have a surprisingly rich talent pool in New Orleans.
My main dude John Bernecker(best young stuntman in the state) can do it all. Free running, climbing, martial arts, flips for days. Plus he looks like the bad guy from Karate Kid.
Here’s his stunt reel:
In conclusion, I have developed my own fad called “sitting.” Here’s what you do: sit down somewhere, try to look cool, have somebody snap your picture, than post it on twitter with the hashtag like this #sitting. Sitting is fucking awesome.
So weeks ago, a NOadventure reader contacted me on a Monday about doing a guest post. He had incredible video footage of him jetskiing from the lake INTO the flooded Bonnet Carre spillway. I immediately watched the videos(on youtube) and told him I’d post his footage for that weekend’s post.
That Thursday, he sent me an apologetic email about why he had pulled the videos from youtube. Here’s the complete email conversation from between the two of us(with some chit-chat edited out for brevity).
HIM:
So, I’d like to submit my first NOAdventure… of some videos that I took today while JetSkiing into the Bonnet Carre Spillway from the lake. It was a bit scary at times, but fun as hell. I’d really like to take a kayak from the river through the spillway and into the lake!
ME(after watching videos):
Dude you’re nuts! I love it!
Who was holding the camera? It looked like you have to steer with two hands on that adventure?
Definitely posting this this weekend.
HIM:
I was steering with my right hand and holding a little waterproof flip camera with my left hand. (I’m sure that contributed to my falling in!)
It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I’m a pretty experienced JetSkier… I played for years in and around New York Harbor and in the surf of the Atlantic. The East River has some very scary currents.
I considered going all the way through the spillway to the river, but I figured the Corps wouldn’t appreciate it and they’d arrest me.
HIM(again):
Update:
I took the YouTube videos down. Here’s why…
On Thursday afternoon, I had two Wildlife and Fisheries agents knocking at my door. Friday morning, I voluntarily met with two police from the Army Corps of Engineers, the head of the spillway project office, and a sheriff from St. Charles Parish. I received a warning violation for entering the closed spillway and a $200 federal ticket for “reckless operation of a watercraft” (which I plan to contest!) Friday afternoon, the Coast Guard started enforcing a security zone near the spillway. 🙂
That’s bullshit! I’m glad you’re contesting it. I was planning on releasing the post today.
How can they give you a fine when the spillway has been a public park and recreation spot for decades? There were no signs or postings right?
HIM:
They did tell me how often they had talked about it on the news… and, just 3 days before, I visited the spillway with friends and casually asked the rangers if I could launch a kayak in at the river and whitewater kayak through. They didn’t outright tell me it was illegal, but they did discourage me.
The closed spillway trespassing was just a warning ticket. The $200 ticket’s offense is listed as:
“No person shall operate any vessel or other watercraft (jetski) in a careless, negligent, or reckless manner so be to endanger any person or property.”
I maintain that I was not operating in any dangerous manner. I used extreme caution when near any fixed structures and in fact was comfortable enough to be able to ride with only one hand while using the other hand to video the whole thing.
Do you think my defense will stand up?
ME:
Absolutely.
We have to stop having the government put diapers on the public.
If they “discourage” people using the spillway for recreation, CLOSE IT. Don’t ticket people for obeying the law.
I stand by you and I will modify my post. What’s your phone number? Mind if I call tomorrow?
So what are the chances of you emailing me just one of those video files so I can upload them to my youtube channel?
I of course understand if you don’t want them up, but I think the post could be about your plight with the bullshit ticket and how there were no signs or warnings. It really bugs me that we’re being told how to use public recreation areas when anyone in Tennessee can hop in a kayak and do far more dangerous class IV rapids in a kayak on the Ocoee.
HIM:
Sorry I missed your call yesterday… I was out JetSkiing in the Rigolets and the Pearl River. Feel free to try me again today some time. (I may go out to Bayou Bienievue and MRGO to see the “Great Wall of Chalmette.”)
I’d like to keep the videos under wraps until after I contest my ticket. I want to be as ‘cooperative’ as I can… that is, until I get what I want. Then, I’m all for having them on your web site and everywhere else.
I totally agree with your comment about rapids in the Ocoee. Fast moving water does not necessarily mean danger. I have been JetSkiing for 20 years and boating for over 30 years. I know how to be safe.
This is the end of our email conversation. Good luck with the fight!
All these pics and videos were taken from my moving truck on I-10.
Just like an air guitar championship, but with fake sex. Hosted by Chris Trew(dude on the right in the next video) doors at 9pm at One Eyed Jacks. Should be hilarious. See you there.
Do yourself a favor and attend New Orleans own San Fermin festival AKA Running of the Bulls. It’s 8000+ fit, attractive people who love having a great time at 8AM this Saturday(get there early). ATTENTION: there is a new route this year. The event begins and ends Ernst Cafe.
Editor’s note: This is guest writer Taylor’s third piece of journalism featured on NOAdventure. Be sure to check out his excellent photo/cycling/paddling/adventure blog Slices of America. Taylor’s route is similar to the one Pearce and I took for Scooter to the Coast except we utilized the luxury of internal combustion.
The route from New Orleans along the coast…
Check out the whole story by clicking the quote below:
Ok, so they’re crocs and not gators, but this dude on my recent Costa Rica trip got WAY closer than they do on a Louisiana swamp tour. No marshmallows here. Our guide gave the gator(sorry – croc) what it wanted: rotten meat.
Now, just so you get an idea of what is going on here, our guide has scars all over his arms and legs from where he has been bitten before by aggressive crocs. He tells us that crocs are “my passion.” Normally, I’m used to gator feedings from inside the safety of the boat, but this guy likes to wade BAREFOOT through QUICKSAND while flopping a piece of old chicken in his hand. No risk no reward.
Editor’s note: This week’s NOadventure is the second one by Slices of America blogger Taylor. In this adventure, Taylor and and his friends made it to a Civil War era ruin in two 1-man kayaks, but with 3 men. The boat relay across MRGO proved to be successful, despite a run-in with Wildlife and Fisheries officials.
Read the whole story by clicking on the quote here:
NO Adventure 