NOLA News

Happy Friday! I have a good deal of catch up to play since my last entry. We made our trip to New Orleans last week. Wow. It was a great time. Steve and I needed a few days to enjoy one another and escape the distractions of work and life. Mabel's original foster Mom, Patti offered to babysit her for us and Adam adopted Cody for a few days. I can't thank either of them enough for their kindness and care. I am an over-protective mother, and I cannot relax on vacation knowing my kids aren't in good hands. Huge thanks to Patti & Adam!

So the trip was tons of fun...too much so at one point. We arrived Thursday afternoon, eager to explore and emerge ourselves in the Cajun culture. We first filled our bellies with Po Boys from Mike Serio's- a local institution probably more well known for the owners college sports obsession and connections than the food. The sandwiches were decent, but the company in this little shop was the memorable part. Mike and Steve bonded over the expansive collection of college football helmets hanging around the shop. All the while, a severely drunken patron- or friend of the owner staggered around running his mouth- and profusley bleeding from a wound to his ankle that went unrecognized by anyone but us. Needless to say, it put a damper on my appetite, but it was an experience. We headed for the River Walk where we got fudge and strolled next to the Mississippi.


Thursday night we found ourselves on Bourbon Street. It was overwhelming...and tacky beyond belief. We started at a bar called the Back Door that had live music and strong drinks. I had my first hurricane- and it went down easy, too easy! After a couple of drinks there, we strolled to Pat O'Brien's for their famous hurricane. It tasted similar, but was served in a much larger glass. By the time I finished that cocktail, I was good an tipsy. It would be at this time that in Charlotte I would cut myself off, but when in Rome...

I woke up in the morning (not feeling like P Diddy) with an atrocious hangover. The previous night's events started to surface. I may or may not have taken several test tube shots. We may or may not have decided to go to a strip club. I may or may not have befriended a stripper named Dez. I may or may not have thrown up in a box on Bourbon Street while Steve ate hot dogs. Damn hurricanes.

Friday started out rough for me- I was weak, achy, and fighting a gruesome hangover all day. I rallied after a McDonalds breakfast sandwich and we decided t take the streetcar down St Charles to the Garden District. The bumpy ride and the breeze through the open windows were just what I needed. It was a gorgeous day so we strolled around Audubon Park, enjoying the spanish moss and glorious southern foliage.

We had a great creole dinner (I can't remember the name of the restaurant) and cocktails at Pirate's Alley. I of course was still on the mend, so I nursed mine slowly and only had one. We took an evening carriage ride. Our tour guide, Jose was quite possibly the world's worst story teller, but it was a nice scenic ride.

Saturday we began our day with a swamp tour of the honey island swamp. I have a slight obsession with gators, so my excitement for seeing them in the wild was unbridled. Unfortunately, the water was too cold for them, so we only caught a glimpse of one for a quick second. But the other swamp creatures (turtles, birds, etc) were neat. And, the flora and fauna- and natives were also really interesting. Following the tour, the owner was nice enough to bring out a captive baby gator and I got to hold her. They are magnificent animals.
Once back from the bayou (it was about 45 min away), we took a much needed nap and then spent Saturday just walking around, watching street performers, and eventually catching the kickoff Mardi Gras parade, Krewe du Vieux. It was cool, but as a claustrophobic person, it was insane.

Sunday we got a really good breakfast, relaxed, shopped, got our fill of oysters on the half shell and took a walking ghost tour. This time our tour guide was awesome. She was perfectly eccentric and intelligent. We heard some great tales of horrors from hundreds of years ago, including the Delphine LaLaurie story. So cool!

Our trip adjourned on Monday, which was welcomed by both of us. Steve had limited internet access there and it was killing him. Our feet where achy and we had had our fill of seafood. All in all, it was a great time for both of us! I have found a love of beignets and the saying "Who Dat"

We quickly got back into the swing of things- selling a house, going to school, work, etc. Life is busy! Weekends are very welcomed, however, it seems even Saturday and Sunday are hectic right now.

Tonight the two of us are taking a road trip to Raleigh to see the Penguins play the Hurricanes. We went last year and it was one of our first experiences as a couple. We decided at that point to make it a tradition, so here we are again :) GO PENS!

Tomorrow, if the weather is nice I would like to take the dogs for a long walk, maybe organize the attic, and grill out. I think the chore list for getting the house on the market will dominate the next month or so, but it will be well worth it when we have our new place!