New Orleans Forever. Epic weekend with my best pals - a trip we'd been looking forward to for months for 3 important reasons. 1) to visit our best bud and her man in their new stomping grounds (moved there last year) AND to meet their darling baby boy we've been dying to hold since he was born in December. 2) to celebrate our other best buds birthday which happened to fall on this weekend. 3) to explore this amazing city that was a first time visit for several of us! In the short 3 days we were there - we really covered our bases. From swamp tours, holding an alligator, getting frozen daiquiri's to-go, drinking Pimm's, kayaking on the bayou, frenchman street and art fair, attending the boogaloo byou music festival, FOOD (crawfish, gumbo, fried oysters, PoBoys, beignet's - to name a few) Bourbon street, strolling the cemeteries (different post - too many pics), voodoo shops, steamboats, a full moon, Hurricane's at the oldest bar in the country Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, an awesome dive bar called The Saint, the second line street parade, live music everywhere, brunch on Magazine street....and squeezing baby Lockett's cheeks...there really is no other place like NOLA.
AIR BOAT SWAMP TOUR
To kick the weekend off (after a red eye flight from LA) we started on the Louisiana swamps with an air boat tour...part of the birthday shenanigan plan for the birthday girl. Our tour guide was the real deal, thick accent, gold tooth - wasn't surprised when he jumped off the boat and caught a baby (2 yr old) alligator with his bare hands. We each took turns holding it and then moved on to find a bigger gator that definitely none of us wanted to touch. Maybe 7 feet. - which still isn't that big compared to some. They say alligators don't attack humans - crocodiles do that...but you couldn't pay me enough $ to jump in the water with one. Our guide fed him marshmellows b/c supposedly they look like eggs and it attracts the gators close enough to let usget a great view. It was a hot sweaty sun day but we had lots of cold beer to cool us off. Also, who knew an airboat went so fast?
LIFE (drinking) IN NOLA
I'd fear i might become an alcoholic if I lived in New Orleans...but I suppose like anywhere, you adjust and (try) find balance. Visiting though - whole different story. We were so excited about the fact you can walk out any any bar or restaurant, WITH YOUR DRINK. A to-go cup for you Pimm's cocktail? Don't mind if I do!
SECOND LINE PARADE...
A little lesson for those who don't know (like me prior to this trip)....
"Second line is a tradition in brass band parades in New Orleans, Louisiana. The "main line" or "first line" is the main section of the parade, or the members of the actual club with the parading permit as well as the brass band. Those who follow the band just to enjoy the music are called the "second line"
A little lesson for those who don't know (like me prior to this trip)....
"Second line is a tradition in brass band parades in New Orleans, Louisiana. The "main line" or "first line" is the main section of the parade, or the members of the actual club with the parading permit as well as the brass band. Those who follow the band just to enjoy the music are called the "second line"
BAYOU BOOGALOO MUSIC FESTIVAL
We had the best time this day....festival on the bayou with good tunes, sun & beer. What else does one need? Kayaks apparently. So much colorful stimulation - even baby Lockett had his head phones on and was jamming out! (my arms are slightly still sore from rowing)...
We had the best time this day....festival on the bayou with good tunes, sun & beer. What else does one need? Kayaks apparently. So much colorful stimulation - even baby Lockett had his head phones on and was jamming out! (my arms are slightly still sore from rowing)...
THE SAINT BAR & GHOST TOWN STREETS....
Surprised that we even made it out after a day or parades and music festivals drinking in the sun - a neighborhood dive bar was just what the doctor ordered. This dive bar in particular. Dark, juke box and just the right amount of sketchiness. Walking home felt like a ghost town at 2am (for the hood we were in) ...things got interesting as we channeled The Craft and all things witchy....
LAST DAY......DONUTS, FRENCH QUARTER, STEAM BOATS & BOURBON STREET
We tried to walk off the donuts and sliders down Magazine street and then the French Quarter....bourbon street itself wasn't something we wanted to see (or smell) at night...but a day time visit seemed necessary for us first-timers....
We tried to walk off the donuts and sliders down Magazine street and then the French Quarter....bourbon street itself wasn't something we wanted to see (or smell) at night...but a day time visit seemed necessary for us first-timers....
LAFITTE'S BLACKSMITH SHOP (oldest bar in U.S)
