Well, after all that driving we now had to do some more! Our time in Key West was heaven, but I was really looking forward to New Orleans. It was my Dad’s favorite city and I was lucky to spend 2 weeks there in the 90’s when I was in high school. My dad’s sister (one of my favorite aunts!) lived there. I adored going around the city with her and my grandparents!
On the way we stayed in a motel right on the Suwanee River – it was so lovely I painted it. And do you know what? Their cicadas in Florida are already out and singing! Ours aren’t hatched and rejoicing till very late in June. I was jealous! (I love cicada song.)
It was sad when we came into New Orleans. She’s been through a lot. But I kind of forgot that she is a big city and she has big city troubles (mainly crooked government) along with a lot of her people (drugs). We soon had to put that behind us though as we drive on the worst streets and roads ever! We hit potholes so big I think my soul left my body! I get that the land is swampy and that makes roads crumble quickly, but maybe spend less money painting arty fluff under bridge overpasses and more money filling holes and resurfacing. But it all goes back to the corruption.
After you get used to those things you start to see all the great things and I remember those things the best anyways. The food, music, cultures, cemeteries, and oh my heart- the architecture! House after gorgeous house, even tiny shotgun houses were beautiful! I was in house heaven let me tell you.
Our hotel was charming and lovely! Another recommendation! It was the St. Charles Coach House- an old Packard Car dealer building and their mechanic’s garage as parking (free!) for hotel guests. My Dad would have been so tickled about that as he loved old cars. He passed away in 2002 though.
Thankfully we were in a nice neighborhood- we drove through a lot of really bad places there. (Thanks Google maps! They always want you to turn into a bad neighborhood and drive through it to turn around if you miss a turn. Ugh!)
The food was great too with the freshest seafood, prepared in many delicious French and Cajun ways- we tried everything! Even Italian Muffelata sandwiches from the grocery store where they were invented! We could not stay away from Cafe duMonde and my hubs now drinks their chicory coffee in the mornings. And many times walked to restaurants and places for refreshments.
Beignets and chicory cafe au laits! Delicious!
At Brigtsen’s (pronounced Brightsen’s) we had our 25th anniversary dinner. It was lovely! The seafood sampler was divine and Hub’s crab crusted fresh-caught fish was excellent too. We always share a creme brulee when we can and theirs did not disappoint!
Here are some other fun things:
I loved the streets- even though they were totally wonky as the original ones lined up with the river. It was so cool to see a whole city history through street signs!
There were working gas lights on buildings in the French Quarter. I absolutely loved this. It made me so happy to see historic gas lamps! I would have lived to see them at night…
See them under the first story roof overhang?
We took 2 trips in the area one day- to the amazing Tabasco factory on Avery Island and to Oak Alley Plantation.
The day after that we planned to go to cemeteries and to go back to the French quarter, but first? A hit and run accident! Why. The other vehicle had no license plate and was probably stolen. It took us 30 minutes to get someone in non-emergency to answer the phone and we were hung up on twice! What a joke this place has turned out to be.
We ended up going to Metarie Cemetery- honestly the nicest one there. It was lovely.
Most of the cemeteries were NOT well-kept. I was pretty angry about that. Especially since they charge you $20 to see them. Where does that money go!?!
On our last day we went to a wonderful afternoon tea at a 4 star hotel, the Windsor Court. It was my favorite thing we did in New Orleans! And I’m so glad we did this and did not leave with a bad taste in our mouths from the accident.
Finally, it was time to go. Honestly after the accident we were ready, but thankfully New Orleans sent us off on a cloud of tea sandwiches, pastries, scones, and champagne…
Total trip miles: 4,000!!!
Hallelujah we are home!
Travel-weary from Kansas Street,
Jaime
Life on Kansas Street 