The Big Easy

Wednesday, June 20

We loaded our inflatable mattress and a few other odds and ends into our truck, turned in our keys and started our road trip.  We drove from Clemson to New Orleans.  The drive was about 10 hours long and probably the longest drive on our entire road trip.  We drove through South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi and part of Louisiana.  We noticed that the trees started to thin out slightly as we moved further West. 

We were blessed to stay with our friends Darren and Kristen in New Orleans.  Seth and Darren were in the MRED program together and Darren is working in New Orleans.  We went out for dinner at Acme's Oyster House.  We had a delicious dinner of gumbo, jambalaya, red beans and rice and fried fish.  Darren and Kristen then drove us around New Orleans and showed us areas that had been hit hard by Hurricane Katrina.  The roads in the hardest hit areas are very bumpy and you have to work hard to avoid potholes.  We saw were the levies gave way and also saw some of the new pumping systems.  We also saw many houses that are still abandoned.  After our driving tour we headed to the Creole Creamery.  This was our first Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives find of the trip.  Seth and I each got a sampler plate which had 6 small scoops.  My favorites were the honey lavender, bananas foster and chocolate amaretto cheesecake.  

Thursday, June 21^st

We woke up early and headed right to the French Quarter.  Kristen had recommended that we have breakfast at Café De’ Monde.  The beignets were incredible.   If you haven’t had a beignet before you are missing out…it is basically a cross between a pastry and a doughnut and they are covered in powdered sugar...yum.  

After breakfast we spent some time in Jackson Square.

Then we headed up to catch a glimpse of the Mississippi River.  We were hoping to catch a bike tour and walked several blocks to the bike shop…but the only tour available was a drinking tour…not the best fit for two non-drinkers. 

We walked down along Bourbon Street next.

Then we met up with a Walking Tour of the French Quarter.  We learned a lot about the architecture and about the history of New Orleans.

I loved the wrap around porches.

Check out the fence above the wall...it has lots of sharp edges to deter anyone from climbing over the wall.

The French Quarter burned down several times.  We learned that the round ornament above doors indicated that the residents had purchased fire insurance.  In the event of a fire the firefighters would only go to these homes.

Our walking tour ended at St. Louis Cathedral.  We walked in for a quick glimpse and then headed out for some lunch.  We were going to eat at the Central Grocery Deli…but the line was too long and we were famished so we settled for a famous Italian Muffuletta at Frank’s. A Muffuletta is a sandwich with layers of marinated olive salad, capicola, salami, pepperoni, ham, Swiss cheese and provolone.

Our next stop was the Presbytere which is a Mardi Gras museum.  The basement floor had an exhibit on Hurricane Katrina that was very insightful.  Then we enjoyed the grandeur of the Mardi Gras costumes on the second floor.

We took a walk through the market to the Mint where we enjoyed a Jazz concert.

Then we walked along Royal Street to Canal Street to catch a streetcar to the Garden District.

We saw Spanish moss in some of the trees along with Mardi Gras beads from the parades in March.  The Garden District was beautiful.   We walked by one of the famous cemeteries but it had closed several hours earlier.

We caught the streetcar back to Canal Street and then walked down to the Mississipi River.  We were surprised to see hundreds of kids on the street with their skateboards. 

We saw lots of bead dogs in the city.  Children make bead dogs from Mardi Gras beads that get twisted up.  The city has commissioned artists to decorate large bead dogs throughout the city.

Darren and Kristen met us for dinner in the French Quarter.  They took us to Brennan’s which is quite the fancy place.  I felt a little underdressed in my running shirt and hat.  Seth and I decided to splurge and each enjoyed a four course meal.  We had Creole Onion Soup, Brennan's salad, Shrimp Creole and Shrimp Sardou...scrumptious.  My favorite food came at the end of the meal with the Bananas Foster. Bananas Foster was invented right at Brennan’s, the chef had been challenged to make a dessert using all the main imports from the time…which included bananas, cinnamon and brown sugar. I want to learn how to make this delicious treat.

Friday, June 22^nd

Before heading out of town we stopped at a cemetery close to Darren and Kristen's place.  Almost all of the graves are above ground and the tombstones are quite elaborate.