It has been over 15 years since I've been to New Orleans. Michael and I had planned a short trip at the beginning on my spring break with his brother and family. Things didn't go as planned, however, and the death of the father of one of Michael's dear friends prevented him from going. I didn't want to go without him but we had invested in a place to stay and it was too late to cancel plus we didn't want to disappoint Michael's family who were so looking forward to it.
We left early Saturday morning and arrived by mid-afternoon. I had forgotten how many people are on the streets and how bad the traffic is in the French Quarter on a weekend and I have to confess, we were wondering just what we had gotten ourselves into and I know we all went into panic mode for a while. We had booked a room right in the heart of the French Quarter and parking places were difficult to find and the one-way streets were driving us nuts. But finally, we located a parking space, got our lugguge into the room and found a parking garage to store the car. After the initial culture shock, the trip went pretty smoothly.
This is where we stayed - The St. Philip Apartments on St. Philip Street. Appropriate no?
The courtyard was so nice -
After we settled in and finally ventured out, we first walked down to the French Market -
Saturday was beautiful but Sunday was anything but, with a drastic drop in temperatures and a bitterly cold wind. We spent Sunday visiting the Aquarium and World War II Museum (Colton, our nephew, is an expert on the subject and he loved it). Some shopping on Decatur Street but the temperatures kept us mostly inside.
Tim and Colton take a stroll down a deserted side street near Jackson Square -
An artist on Jackson Square -
Monday started out cold as well but the sun came out in the middle of our cemetery tour and it turned out to be a nice day. We continued to shop and buy souveniers. Later that afternoon, Tim and I took a long leisurely strool and look at some of my favorite things in the city - the architecture, the plants and the balconies.
A beautiful Lady Banks rose was in full bloom -
And more beautiful architecture -
I'm hoping we can plan more trips to New Orleans. I think the city is so beautiful and fascinating. I find it very intriguing and there is so much to explore there.
Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
Glad you had a good time on your trip to N.O. I can't believe that Lady Banks rose is in bloom already. Mine isn't even showing buds yet, and we are only 30 miles north of New Orleans.
ReplyDeleteJan
Always Growing
I love this funky city. When I was still in hotel management, my company sent me there for three weeks of training at a hotel in the heart of the French Quarter. I am with you on the architecture and the balconies.
ReplyDeleteGlad you had a good time Phillip!I echo Jan, I can't believe that Lady Banks is in full bloom!--Randy
ReplyDeleteLove those balconies, the wrought iron work and flowers.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun city to visit and the French Quarter can be very noisy and crowded...but, with the restaurant choices and the architecture...It's really great. We've stayed in the Garden District, too...but that meant a trolley ride to and from town~That's fun, too. The lady Banks is beautiful! gail
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun outing. The Phillip was your perfect perch. All of those baskets full of flowers are gorgeous. Of course the architecture behind them is was sets them off.
ReplyDeleteFantastic post. I loved the tour of the French Quarter! I'm not sure if i could be coaxed out of that wonderful little hotel courtyard.
ReplyDeleteMarnie
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ReplyDeleteLove the Big Easy, Phillip. Thanks for sharing those gorgeous photos.
ReplyDeleteThere's no city quite like New Orleans is there? The gardens, people, and architecture are wonderful.
You know how I feel about New Orleans, having been there twice in the last month! I have pics on my blog from the more recent trip (from Audubon Park).
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you had a good time and plan to go back.
Wow, what a lovely city. I've never been there and the only images I had of it were the flood and Mardi Gras parades. I didn't realize it was such a nice place.
ReplyDeleteI've been to New Orleans many times and your pictures remind me why I love it so.
ReplyDeleteWell I have been missing your blog posts...now I know why! I've never been to New Orleans but your pics give me a good idea of the beauty there. You got my attention when you said cemetery tour! Which one? I would love that.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, we went to the St. Louis #1 cemetery tour. It is one of the older cemeteries and not as pretty as some of the others but it has several notable graves such as Marie Leveau, the "voodoo queen".
ReplyDeletePhillip, we stopped in New Orleans on St. Patrick's Day morning on the drive back from our Florida spring break trip. I just had to see the French Quarter again, post Katrina, and make sure it was still there. It was, in all its glory, which you captured beautiful in these pictures. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so jealous - it looks like a great trip! Have you ever been out to Longue Vue gardens?
ReplyDeleteWonderful photographs. What a treat. Thanks.
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