On the Roof of the Astor Crown

Emilio: "We just woke up, and got to eat beignets, a Louisiana donut.
"We just ate lunch.
"We’re about to ride in a trolley.
We’re on the trolley.
We stopped at a park and walked around. It just started raining, pouring. We just got back on the trolley.
We made it back to the hotel. We just ate dinner."

New Orleans Emilio

Emilio: "We are about to see the Mississippi River again.
"We saw it. Now we are going to New Orleans. First we are going to Wendy’s.
"We just stopped at McDonald’s. I had oatmeal, milk, and apples.
"We made it to New Orleans. It is crowded. Our hotel room is awesome. I can’t wait to go on a walk."

On Jackson Square.
On the banks of the Mississippi.

"We are sitting on the banks of the Mississippi River. I got to touch the Mississippi River. Awesome! I am about to ride in a taxi. First time!"*

*The taxi ride, alas, did not happen. We decided to hoof it. (Ed.)

At the Whitney Plantation

Emilio: "We woke up and had breakfast. Now we are going to the pool. We just got out of the pool. We are now going to the Whitney Plantation.
"We just saw a crocodile. His name was Moby. He's dead.
"I just crossed the Mississippi River! Yay!
"We made it to the Whitney Plantation. I can't wait to learn all about it.
"Today I learned that in 1808 it was illegal to bring slaves into America. I also learned about a girl who was whipped until she was nearly dead. Then they cut her back into pieces and put salt in her back. I learned that some slaves were buried alive. I also learned that 2200 kids died at the age of 8 and under in 40 years. We just got to go inside the slave quarters. I also learned that before the Civil War, the Whitney Plantation counted 22 slave cabins on its site. I just got to go inside a slave jail. The slave jail was built in 1868, 3 years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Some slaves stayed in the slave jail than 1 week. While we were at the slave kitchen we saw a lizard. I learned that some slaves poisoned there slave owners. Sometimes with glass. Most of the things on the Plantation are from the late 1700’s. The last time the house we are in was lived in was 1961, and it was first built in 1752. It’s a pretty awesome view.
The plantation was fun because I got to learn things I didn’t know. I just saw some sugar canes."

Louisiana Swamp Tour!

Emilio:"We woke up and had breakfast. We are going to the pool. It was fun. We are leaving and going to an old fort. We made it to Louisiana. We stopped at a rest place. I also got free cookies and lemonade.
"We made it to the fort. It was cool. Now we are going to a swamp tour.

"We made it to the swamp tour. It was fun. We got to see a great blue heron, alligators, bald eagle, ibis, egris, and an owl. Now we are going to the hotel. Our hotel room is awesome. We can't go to the pool today because it is outside and it is to cold."

First Pool Raises Heart Rate

Emilio: "We are on are on our way to pick up Abuela and Abuelo. We made it to the airport. Abuela and Abuelo here we come. We picked up Abuela and Abuelo. "We are going to a hotel. We stopped in Canton to eat. We made it to our hotel LaQuinta. Daddy is making our regestration. I can't wait until we see our room and the pool. Our room is awesome. The pool was fun. My heart rate really went up."

My Summer Vacation by Emilio

Emilio: "Captain’s Log Star Track Date 5-21-15
"We helped take stuff inside ECU. We came back home to get towels. Pretty dull so far. We just stopped for gas. We made it out of Ada. So long Roff. Never mind we’re going back home. Still at home. We just saw a horse. Made it out of Ada again. So long Roff. On our way to Davis. Went under our first bridge. I don’t know why I wrote that. Made it to our first tollbooth. I saw the first star. Man in the moon is smiling. We’re in Davis. We’re finding a restaurant. Daddy is rubbing his beard. We found a restaurant. Mexican food!
"We just crossed the red river. We made it to Fort Worth. We made it to Granddaddy and Grandmother’s house."

*This Captain's log has been transcribed by Emilio from the notebook he updated throughout our summer trip. Keeping a journal during the trip was entirely his idea. Granddaddy suggested that he call it the Captain's Log. I suggested that he transcribe it here.

Spring Soccer Season Ends

Today's guest documentarian is: Mari.

Nice pass.

Under control!

Clever turnaround.

One of the greats.

Tricky footwork and a thoughtful pass.

Good job of getting past two and forwarding the ball.

So close!