So I had mentioned to Ryan quite a while back that I would like to go to New Orleans sometime and check out all I had heard.
As our 10th Year Anniversary was nearing, he told me that he booked our trip to New Orleans for September! I'm the one that always plans everything, so I was very excited that he had done this on his own! We realized, then, it was a 7 hour drive...whoa...which turned into nearly 9 with the traffic! We dropped the girls off at school last Friday (for MamaJan to pick them up) and headed to Louisiana!
The long drive made it very exciting to see the Mississippi River as we were getting near.
As we came into New Orleans, there were above ground cemeteries everywhere. They're very interesting.
We got to our room and we had a pretty view of the Mississippi River that never stops...freighters, ferry boats, river boats, tug boats...it was fun to see!
We go out walking to see what we see, after an excellent dinner at Drago's in our hotel!
Jazz Cruise on the Riverwalk
Love my Hubby
There were lots of entertaining, interesting and crazy people on Bourbon Street!
These guys were amazing dancers and entertainers...right on the street!!
Late night and a little nervous about walking by all the homeless people took us back to the hotel.
Next day was awesome seeing so much more of the French Quarter in the daylight!
It's such a festive city with so much history!
Johnny's Po Boys for lunch...we had heard terrific reviews on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives" but we weren't so impressed...the bread was really hard...but the tiny place was packed!!
Real Man but it was hard to tell!
After you take a pic, he motions to put tips in his bucket and then whistles a sound similar to "thank you"!
There was so much art for sale up and down a few streets surrounding a courtyard area. The artists were sitting in their area painting and creating with everyone walking around them. Most were incredible!
Live music was playing everywhere for tips! It was so energizing and happy!
Oh and lots of fortune tellers and palm readers as well, but we didn't waste our money!
These historic signs were posted on many buildings and structures telling facts about the old New Orleans!
More live music from individuals with fabulous voices.
Swamp Tour Time
Pearl Tours was excellent.
We get in the boat, thankfully in the one with the covered top since it rained off and on the entire 2 hours, and immediately saw a little gator swimming up. Apparently they like marshmallows.
I couldn't believe the houses we saw built on the water, some actually in the water (which means you don't have to pay any property taxes and can tie up wherever you'd like.)
In a canal, very narrow.
More Gators
Wreckage still left over from Hurricane Katrina.
Dinner...excellent meal!
Off to the Ghost Tour...
We started off in this ballroom located above a hotel in the French Quarter. All of the stories were very interesting about someone had died in these buildings/houses and the reason they are still haunting them today.
Our tour guide! She grew up in New Orleans and loves everything about the city and its history. She was very fun to listen to and so informative.
On our way out of town and we saw the incredibly long lines at Cafe Du Monde where thankfully we had stopped the night before after our tour and had beignets. They were fantastic and we didn't have to wait in these lines!
And of course, live jazz music playing outside.
I'm so glad we got to go for a weekend to celebrate our anniversary and see such a vibrant city!
