Our 5th day was spent roaming the French Quarter, the Mississippi, and hanging out in Jackson Square Park (The Girl’s favorite spot).
We started our day with a walk through Louis Armstrong Park, a couple of blocks from our hotel.
The Girl, leading the marching band at Louis Armstrong Park.
Statue of the park’s namesake.
There were several bridges at Louis Armstrong Park.
This bridge’s archway must look fabulous with the lights on at night. Like a tunnel of love.
Next, we went on a steamboat cruise for lunch. We boarded the Natchez and went up and down the Mississippi.
Waiting to board the Natchez.
I can’t remember what the roman numerals mean on the hull.
I loved her whole look, which was actually not so unusal in NOLA. On the deck of the Natchez.
Buildings in a row across from the steamboat dock. In the foreground is a railroad crossing, tracks, and cable car cables.
St. Louis Cathedral, seen from the Natchez.
Seen from the Steamboat Natchez on the Mississippi.
Passengers were allowed to view the engine room. It was really quite cool.
Before the Natchez, the same steam engine powered the Clairton.
The bore and stroke measurements indicate piston movement. Why they are on a big ol’ plate here is a mystery to me.
The boilers on the Natchez have great names. Number 2 is Thelma.
The boilers on the Natchez have great names. Number 1 is Louise.
Looking up at the top of the Natchez.
On deck of the Natchez.
I just thought it looked cool.
Detail from the Natchez engine room.
On the Steamboat Natchez.
Detail from the Natchez.
The Girl enjoyed looking out at the Mississippi from the decks of the Natchez.
The big red paddle wheel on the back of the Natchez.
NOLA has no shortage of interesting art. This guy was standing just outside the dock for the Natchez. The Girl felt she needed to pose with him.
After the river cruise, we went for a walk and I collected more French Quarter images….
Back in the Quarter, Hubs and The Girl walked together as we explored.
My grandfather, Poppy, would often say, “Hot Diggity…” and wait for our response. “Dog!” We didn’t eat here, but I snapped the sign anyway.
I wonder how many layers of paint have covered this.
I wonder how many layers of paint have covered this.
Many doors in the French Quarter have ornate screens that provide just a glimpse through to the courtyard within.
An ornate screen in a French Quarter door, providing a peek at the courtyard beyond.
Letter slot in a French Quater door.
Jam packed French Quarter bookstore – with freebies on the stoop.
She had to stop to strike a pose.
Fashion.
‘Tude
The Girl, riding a posh lion of a doorkeeper in the French Quarter.
Closeup of peeling paint on a shuttered window sill in the French Quarter.
A favorite stop for a bathroom break. And, just to make sure we were welcome, Hubs had a different pint of a local brew each time we visited.
Old iron horse head hitching posts are still plentiful on the streets of the French Quarter, clearly having been painted time and again. This one appears to have the original rings still attached.
Seriously – how did I miss out on this one?!
I was here!
We resisted the beignets… this time.
…including my favorite vent screens. If you recall, I’d mentioned that NOLA buildings do not have basements. They do have raised floors that provide a crawl space that is either open or enclosed and screened to allow air to circulate below the homes to help cool and manage humidity.
We spent the afternoon in Jackson Square, per The Girl’s request.
There were artists selling their pieces all over Jackson Square. When I saw this Guinness fish eye, I asked permission to take our photo in the reflection. Permission granted.
St. Louis Cathedral
St. Louis Cathedral
Blooming in Jackson Square Park.
Kooky Girl in Jackson Square.
Planter in Jackson Square, with St. Louis Cathedral and a statue of Andrew Jackson in the background.
Hubs and The Girl sprawled out to take advantage of their own little patch in Jackson Square Park.
Hubs, chillin’ in Jackson Square Park.
My handsome Hubs in his sweet, NOLA-bought cap. In Jackson Square Park.
Handsome Hobs – profile
The Girl frolicked and danced in Jackson Square Park.
The Girl’s dancing attracted a new friend. “Nice dancing. Want to play with us?” And thus a temporary bond of friendship was forged.
Hubs and I sat on a bench, along with several other parents and park goers, while the kids played. It felt so good – such good ol’ fashioned fun. No screens. No gadgets. Just kids making their own fun together.
The ladies on the bottom right were doing some sort of scavenger hunt. They needed to build a pyramid. The Girl and her newfound buddies were more than happy to oblige.
Brilliant idea. Paint yoruself gold, sprawl out with a bucket for tips, and let the cash roll in.
Performing in Jackson Square. At one point, Hubs gave The Girl a dollar to put in their tip bucket, but the wind caught it. About five different people must have tried to stop it, and the one who did was kind enough to take it back to its destination.
This guy in Jackson Square was a riot. He’d make up rhymes about observers and passers by – often asking for money. He called me out as a “pretty lady in a red dress. Is that your honey next to you? He is surely blessed.” I should probably mention that the cut of my dress was a tad low. 🙂 I wish I could remember the rest of his rhyme. Serves me right for waiting months to write about this. Meanwhile, he did go on to rhyme about us helping him out – so Hubs sent The Girl down to deliver a tip.
We dined at the highly recommended Red Fish Grill for dinner.
Our starter – not really BBQ, in my book, but totally delish!
The Girl’s creation.
Shrimp & grits with fried okra and cracklins. The cracklins were awesome, but the shrimp and grits didn’t compare to others I’d had on the trip.
We ended our day with a much needed walk (to walk off dinner) back to the hotel.
Since it was our last night in NOLA, and we took the “scenic” route back to our hotel. With the New Orleans Jazz playing all around us, The Girl couldn’t help but dancer in the middle of Burbon Street. I couldn’t capture her as well as I’d hoped, but I love this photo nonetheless.
Thank you for sharing your life