New Orleans LA
Posted on by Randy

New Orleans; The Big Easy Experience

New Orleans is not your typical tour.  The city has so many different facets that it must be experienced, not just visited.  Our travel is all about experiencing the journey as we don’t have an end date at this time.  It just so happened to be on our route to Texas this year and the city has been on our list of destinations from the beginning.  Our first time here!

My goals were to listen to some good classic jazz music and to find some great food and drinks and we accomplished that.  Also, to explore the French Quarter enough to know my way around.  I also got that one down.

Unfortunately, Pat had developed a very bad cold so she stayed behind and rested a few days.  After several meds and much rest, she is mostly better as I write this.  So, I was on my own for most of the week.

Also called the Crescent City due to the shape of the Mississippi River as it meanders through the city.  The nickname, the Big Easy, goes back to the 1970’s when a writer described the slower pace compared to New York City.

We both did work in seeing three museums (two history and one art museum), toured the St. Louis Cathedral and had a good meal.  By myself, I also found several good restaurants and places for music.

Here are a few highlights of our experience:

  • Pontchartrain Landing is our RV resort and our site is located on the water next to a boat yard.  It was great sitting outside watching them come and go.  The resort is located in an industrial section of town that was wiped out after Katrina.  The drive in looks like something from a post apocalypse movie.  Once inside the gates it is very nice.
  • After trying a few restaurants, the Acme Oyster House had the best charbroiled oysters and the best etouffee.
  • I tried the Sazerac cocktail at a couple of places.  They were both quite different.  This is one of the crafted cocktails that originated here.
  • Went to Cafe DuMonde a couple of times for their hot beignets and cafe au lait.  Beignets are similar to deep fried doughnuts, but without the hole.  They also heap on the powdered sugar.
  • I found several places with good jazz, three on Frenchman St and a couple on Bourbon St.  And then another dozen or so that were streetside entertainers.  All quite good.  One of the street bands had 20 or more musicians.
  • I was disappointed in the Bourbon St music.  It was mostly all targeted to younger crowd with hip hop music.  Not my thing.
  • About Nola: Population of about 400,000 people, down from pre-Katrina, 33% white, 60% black, 7% other.  Founded in 1718 by the French, then fell under Spanish control, then back to French, then finally Napoleon sold Louisiana to the US.  In the Battle of New Orleans, Andrew Jackson became famous as he led the US troops to defeat the British in the War of 1812.  A ton of more history here.
  • We were in the city during Halloween and the days leading up to it.  Some crazy costumes!
  • The French Quarter is  great area to walk.  Well laid out and lots to see.  I walked an average of 5 miles each day.

I had over 200 pictures taken and have narrowed it down somewhat to those below.  Enjoy!

New Orleans LA
Our campsite on the water.
New Orleans LA
View out our back window of the boat channel.
New Orleans LA
Love the architecture with iron work.
New Orleans LA
A shotgun house.

New Orleans LA

New Orleans LA
Best charbroiled oysters and I tried a few.
New Orleans LA
Oysters on the grill
New Orleans LA
I did not see a funeral procession like you do in the movies.

New Orleans LA

New Orleans LA
I liked this small house.  Look at the gingerbread.

New Orleans LA

New Orleans LA
St Louis Cathedral
New Orleans LA
I did see this parade led by a squad car.

New Orleans LA

New Orleans LA
I saw many of the card and palm readers set up everywhere.
New Orleans LA
At the French Market.
New Orleans LA
Good jazz at this place on Frenchman St.
New Orleans LA
Beignet and cafe au lait. Yummy.
New Orleans LA
Many of the ghost tour groups.  I imagine some interesting stories.  No, we did not join them.
New Orleans LA
Dueling piano bar.
New Orleans LA
The street jazz bands were very good.
New Orleans LA
We toured the Nola Museum of Art.  This peaceful scene reminds me of the Louisiana Bayous.
New Orleans LA
Pat finally recovered enough to join my in town for lunch.

New Orleans LA

New Orleans LA

New Orleans LA
It’s nice to see this family together.
New Orleans LA
Inside of the St. Louis Cathedral.
New Orleans LA
General Jackson statue.
New Orleans LA
The largest street band that we saw.

We have now relocated another 150 miles west to Abbeville, La to enjoy the cajun culture.  Take care and God Bless.

 

14 Replies to “New Orleans; The Big Easy Experience”

  1. While I have been to New Orleans for a company sales meeting I have never seen the city (never left the hotel/convention center). I do have a friend in town and hope to get there one day. Great pictures. Hope travels are safe. Robert

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  2. Our son’s wedding took place in the French Quarter five years ago, NOLA is certainly an interesting city. He used to live in Mandeville, LA but has since moved to Houston, we hope to visit him in Texas this winter on our way to see some friends in Tucson, so perhaps we’ll be able to cross paths with you guys.

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  4. My mouth is watering! Nothing better than New Orleans fix’ns. We experienced some of the best rock and roll and jazz bands years ago. It may have changed but the Quarter goes through music progression throughout the day into early morning. The later it gets the more “younger crowd” music. Eat a dozen for me and down it with a Hurricane. Hope Pat is feeling better! Living the life, take care my friends.

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    1. Mike, the food was great and the music better. I thought about you when I came across 4-5 guys playing a drum circle with 5 gallon buckets. Some street side entertainment!

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  6. Love New Orleans! REALLY love Acme Oyster House-best oysters ever. They also have great crab dip 😋. So glad Patty is recovering from her cold! Take care & see you in Texas!

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