#hotels next to the WWII museum in new orleans

[gaytravelinfo]

Higgins Hotel + Conference Center New Orleans

Higgins Hotel + Conference Center New Orleans | 1000 Magazine Street | New Orleans, LA 70130 Welcome to the Official Hotel of the National WWII Museum Revelry meets reverence at Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, New Orleans’ newest, most anticipated hotel. Located in the heart of the Arts & Warehouse District, it’s a home away from home replete with era-inspired guest rooms and suites,…

[ironwoman18]

We Found Love in a Hopeless Place part 21

Chapter 21: A Change did you good

Ethan's wedding was a week away and Spencer was really excited about it. The couple bought their clothes for that event together and the present for them.

Max picked a Christmas dinnerware set since it was that month and she thought someone could already give them an everyday set.

On Friday they decorate her apartment and at night lay on the couch with Tai food and a movie on.

She made him promise to watch a Christmas movie until the end of the month. And since she accepted the Halloween one, he accepted hers.

Then they fell asleep cuddling on the couch and spend the weekend making plans for New Orleans. They will have a whole week to check places.

Spencer was tempted to call Will but he knew JJ would ask and he did not wanted her to. So they decided to go to the art and WWII museum, do a turn around the Mississippi River, go to the French Quarter, Garden District and the Jackson Square.

"Max you know we will be there just for a week right?" Asked Spencer as he handed her a cup of coffee and sitting next to her.

"I know but there's a lot of things to see and according to this page we can walk the French Quarter and check the Jackson Square the same day since it's in the Quarter" she took a sip of coffee "and the other places we can select a day for each one"

"Ok... I hope we can do everything"

"We can always go back any other time" she smirked.

"I bet you would say that" he laughed and after they finished he left to his apartment to get everything ready because they will leave on Monday.

On Monday JJ walked in Emily's office "do you know where is Spence?" Asked the blonde woman sitting in front of her boss and best friend.

"He asked for a week off" said her with her eyes on a piece of paper.

"It's interesting how someone can change"

"What do you mean?" Emily looked up at her."

"Since Spencer joined the BAU he only took days off when Maeve was kill and during those months he was going to New Mexico to get the medicine for his mom and now he's asking for a week off?"

"He learned that he needs a life out of this... World we have to deal with"

"I'm happy for him but at the same time I'm worry because the last time he didn't tell us what's going on he ended up in jail"

"I know where he is, he had to"

"Really? Where?"

"I can't tell you. It's personal information and if he wants to tell you he will"

"Oh come on Em!" JJ used her puppy eyes on her knowing it will melt her heart.

"No JJ I can't. But all you need to know is that he is at a friend's wedding and he won't be doing anything against the rules" she laughed "now let's go, we have a case"

Back to Spencer and Max. They were arriving to the New Orleans' national terminal and walked to get their suitcases.

They were holding hands as he told her somethings he learned about the city thanks to Will, Henry and JJ.

"Why didn't you ask Will or JJ?" Asked Max.

"I know if I ask Will he will tell her and I still dont want JJ to know about us"

"And why is that?"

"Because since I got back to work she keeps treating me like a kid. She's worry because I made myself vulnerable to this crazy woman and it was easy for her to send me to jail' he sighed and Max squeezed his hand gently.

"I know its annoying to have someone like that. I have a friend who was like it after my ex and when I told her about you, she freaked out and started to say that you will hurt me and if that happen she won't be by my side" she rolled her eyes "but after I told her more about you, your personality and the things that we have in common she relaxed, so maybe you just need to talk to her and she will see that she's not your mom and she needs to relax about you"

He smiled and kisses her forehead "you are wonderful,  do you know that?" He smiled at her.

"I do but I like when you say it" they laughed as they arrived to the baggage claim area, they had the dinnerware set as carry-on bag so they just need the baggage with their clothes.

The couple waited with the rest of the passengers until they machine started to work and once they had everything they left. Outside was a man with a piece of paper with their names so it most be their transportation.

"Hey I'm Spencer Reid and this is Max Brenner"

The young man nodded "welcome to New Orleans,  I'm Brandon and I hope you enjoy the city while you are here" he smiled at them "I'm waiting for another couple that just arrived from New York so we will have to wait, is that ok?" They nodded.

"Yeah, I will get some coffee, do you want Spence?" Asked Max Max looking at him.

"Sure, and Brandon do you want one?"

"Yeah please, I need some. I couldn't sleep well. Ethan kept me up until midnight telling me who I will pick up today and tomorrow" he looked at Spencer "I'm his cousin by the way " he laughed.

Max nodded and went to a coffee shop and brought three coffees then she paid for them and returned to the two men.

"Here is your favorite Spence and I ordered an standard for you Brandon" he nodded and smiled.

"Thank you" he drank a sip "ok as I was telling you, you can visit a restaurant in the French Quarter were you can have the best creole meal ever"

"Really? I think when we visit the French Quarter we can stop by" said Max looking at Spencer.

"I was thinking that, and its perfect because it's close to the Jackson Square"

"Perfect" she smiled and after a couple of minutes later the other family arrived and they left the airport to go to the hotel.

They talked about themselves and what they wanted to see around the city.

When they arrived to the hotel they were in awe with the architecture of it. It looked like a old house from the south during civil war but inside it was modern with old fashioned stuffs. On the center they have a Christmas tree decorated with pictures of the city and images of their teams.

They check in and went to leave their baggage in the room then went down because Ethan wanted to see them.

"Hey Spencer!" He smiled as he saw his friend and hugged him "long time since we saw each other" then his eyes moved to Max "and you must be Max, they woman who won this man's heart" she laughed and blushed softly "nice to meet you" he said smiling.

"Nice to meet you" she said and they held hands "Spencer told me about you and said that you were really talented with the saxophone"

This time it was his turn to blushed "not as good as you could think but enough to pay the rent" he laughed "my future wife is the talent one. I met her in a bar. She has an amazing voice that can send you to heaven... she is a blues singer and right now she is working on an album. She asked me to play the saxophone in it"

"Well that's amazing. And it will be also your album" Ethan smiled "where is she?"

"Her mother took her to have lunch together so I'm on my own. So let's go to eat something and Max could tell me how you guys met and what she saw in you" they laughed and walked to the restaurant of the hotel.

They talked about everything he asked and what they asked him. Max told him about her job and Spencer said just to basic information of his job. He learned a long time ago to keep it simple when it comes to his job.

Then the future wife arrived and joined the conversation. They had a wonderful afternoon until night when both couples left to rest.

"He's really nice" said Max when they were in bed "why did you stop talking to him?"

"We were both busy. He was  busy with his music and I was busy with my job at the FBI. I wished to stay in contact but it wasn't easy" he looked at her "he helped me when I was considering to leave the FBI on my second year. I was returning from a tough situation for a 24 years old" she nodded "I always will regret not keeping in contact with him"

She nodded and lays her head on his chest "I understand and I hate that life gets in the way of a good friendship" he nodded and hugged her. Then they felt asleep.

The next day they had breakfast and decided to go to the museums because that night will be the bachelor and bachelorette parties so they left early to have time.

The art museum was amazing for Max because of all the French art, they were also American and African art but she was mesmerized by the French ones.

She even brought some souvenirs for herself and to some of her family members. Then they ate something and visit the WWII museum where Spencer had fun giving facts to her and she was less excited but loved to hear him talking excited.

After that the couple arrives in time to take a shower and get ready for both parties. She left with the bride and her friends and he left with groom and his friends.

The parties were at two different bars on Bourbon street. The women danced and had fun drinking and the man had fun and drink watching a concert of a jazz band.

At almost 5AM both groups returned home. The only sober was Spencer since he did not drink alcohol, at least not a lot and the mother of the bride.

They went to their room and slept until midday. Max was slightly hungover but nothing three cups of coffee and tylenol could not cure. They were invited for a New Orleans brunch by the hotel and they spent the rest of the day in the hotel.

The next day will be the wedding so they needed to be fresh.

When the next day arrived Max left to the salon to get ready while Spencer went to cut his hair just a little to not look to messy and he shaved his little facial hair.

When Max arrived they changed and he was drooling over how beautiful that dress looked on her. She picked it with her sister so he just saw it in her suitcase but did not imagine her wearing it.

"I love seeing you with normal clothes but you plus a suit it's like a match made in heaven" she smiled at him fixing his tie a little.

"And you look amazing with that dress" he said to her, making her blush. He just need to say a few words to make her blush and feel special. That's the magic of the doctor Spencer Reid "let's go" he whispered after kissed her softly.

The couple left with their present to the wedding which will be in that hotel. The wedding was beautiful, the bride walked to her soon to be husband with My Endless Love by Lionel Richie. All women were in tears and some men too. Spencer held Max closer to him the whole song.

Their vows were even more beautiful because they were poems written by them.

After the kiss everyone moved to the reception area were they left their presents and sat down. The could danced their first dance has husband and wife and after the food everyone started to dance and have fun. Spencer danced with Max a few songs,  he was not the best dancer but he did his best for her then they rested and drank water.

Later at night they newlyweds couple left after she threw the bouquet and fell in Max hands. Spencer and Max blushed and Ethan could not held a laugh before patting softly his shoulder "be prepared man" he laughed more and left.

The rest of the night was calmer for them. She made him dance a few more songs, slow ones they they left the their room and finished it making love.

The rest of the days were as they planned. They do the tours they planned and had fun in the city. He was happy to finally enjoying a city he was in instead of staying in the police station or around awful places looking for crazy men or women killing or kidnapping someone else.

They returned to Washington to get ready for Christmas which will be in a few days.

OOooOOooOO

I'm back and I want to apologize because it took me so much to post this. I had troubles finding places for them to visit and I had planned some others things that I decided to not include.

I hope you liked it and if you did leave a comment and if you didn't also leave a comment. I would love to hear from you.

If you read my Garvez Moments story, I'm having a writer block with their honeymoon to Peru so I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting.

Next chapter will begins with Christmas and we will move forward to the Linda Barnes plot. Read you soon.

[sandy-s-d]

New Orleans Places in My Fanfic (and a few extras)

People are always asking me where to go in New Orleans, and while I am not a native, I grew up going there for vacation a lot with my family and did get to live there for a year and a hand full of months before Hurricane Katrina hit. Since then, my husband and I have been back. The first time, he took me all the places I missed, including swinging by my old apartment. Super important for healing purposes, you know? Anyway, I’ve loved incorporating New Orleans places into my fanfics, and when @iamoffyourbird asked for a list of places to go, I decided to create a list I can give my RL friends and add in little notes from the fanfics, too. Putting it here for fun. 

New Orleans Locations (Some in My Fanfic)

Food: Some people say the better beignets are elsewhere, but I love the ones at Cafe du Monde, and you have to go for the location, the history, and the experience. Buffy and Willow have beignets and frozen café au laits here in A Small Boat in the Ocean. Buffy and Spike have beignets and frozen café au laits here in Hello Goodbye and allude to having them here in A Small Boat in the Ocean. Love chicory coffee! http://www.cafedumonde.com

For the gumbo experience, you have to go to the Gumbo Shop (it's different than the other place with the similar name). I’ve gone here since I was a kid. Buffy and Willow talk about going here in a Small Boat in the Ocean. Fresh French bread is perfect for dipping in the gumbo, and they have their own hot sauce which is yummy. I always buy a couple of bottles to take home. http://www.gumboshop.com

For an out of the Quarter treat, Jacques Imo's is a great place to go. You have to get there right when it's open to get a seat, and when I lived in New Orleans, the owner was known to show up wearing his chef’s coat and boxers. The alligator cheesecake is unique and delicious. Buffy and Spike have a date here in A Small Boat on the Ocean. http://jacques-imos.com

Mr. B's Bistro has delicious pecan pie (and other food). Dawn texts Emily’s Watcher to bring food from here before she gets kidnapped by Illyria in a Small Boat on the Ocean. http://www.mrbsbistro.com

Acme Oyster House has delicious oysters! I don’t like raw oysters, but I adore their baked ones with cheese and other spices. SO good! This is one of Dawn’s favorite places in Hello Goodbye. http://www.acmeoyster.com

Other places I love that aren’t mentioned…yet…

Brennans is excellent for brunch. Funny story: during my intern year, a lady whom my brother and I stood next to during Mardi Gras gave us $100 to go have a nice meal in New Orleans. She knew I was a poor intern, and her husband owned shopping malls. He was grateful we’d kept his wife company while he was gambling at the casino and got stuck there because of the parade. We went to Brennans for brunch. The interesting story is that there is a feud between family members and the one in NOLA and the Brennans in Houston are owned by the feuding family members. lol So they're a bit different but both excellent. https://www.brennansneworleans.com

For jazz brunch, I've heard the one at the Court of Two Sisters is fantastic but have never gotten to go: http://www.courtoftwosisters.com

For breakfast or lunch, you have to at least swing by Mother's...a famous little place outside the Quarter and near the casino. Lots of celebs and presidents have gone here. If you're so inclined, get the roast beef with debris. SO yummy. I wanted to include this place in A Small Boat on the Ocean, but I could never get the location to work in the story. https://www.mothersrestaurant.net

For the muffuletta experience, you have to get one at Central Grocery. There's usually a line out the door and when they run out of sandwich stuff for the day, it's done. Plus, if you like olives, you can buy a jar of their muffuletta spread to take home. https://centralgrocery.com

I'm so bummed but my favorite pralines are no longer in the Jackson Brewery like when I was a kid. They are a bit of a drive, but it's totally worth it to check out their new bigger store. These are hands down my favorite pralines in all of the Quarter (I've tried most of them). I really really wanted to include this place in A Small Boat on the Ocean, but the new location made it difficult, so I made the moveable hellmouth at a praline shop that had been destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. https://www.bayoucountry.com

https://neworleansschoolofcooking.com You can take a cooking class here. I've always wanted to! They also have delicious pralines – not as good as Bayou Country and also much smaller.

In a Small Boat on the Ocean, Buffy works at this particular CC’s Coffee. It's actually down the street from that haunted condo that we stayed at. While my husband slept, I snuck over here for a latte one morning. The Quarter off of Bourbon St. is really quiet and pretty to walk around in the morning before people are up and going. (CC's is the local coffee company that has tried for years to keep out Starbucks.) http://www.ccscoffee.com/locations/royal-st/

Bars: The Old Absinthe House https://www.ruebourbon.com/oldabsinthehouse/ They have some sort of egg drink here that my husband really wanted to try. Definitely worth a visit but not necessarily for that drink. Lol

Lafitte's http://www.lafittesblacksmithshop.com/Homepage.html I believe it's one of the oldest bars in New Orleans.

The bar at the Bourbon Orleans has good drinks with fresh ingredients. We got a couple of free drink tickets a piece when we stayed there. I was pregnant and they made me the most delicious fresh juice drink (alcohol free of course).

The other bar that's an absolute must in the Quarter is Pat O'Brien's because duh, you have to get a hurricane! This bar is mentioned in Adventures in Vamp-Sitting because Spike and Clem are standing outside it. http://www.patobriens.com/patobriens/default.asp

Head to Frenchman Street for late night stuffs...it's away from the Bourbon crowd which is a must experience but can get old. Spike works at the Spotted Cat in A Small Boat on the Ocean and Adventures in Vamp-Sitting. Spike and Clem sing a song here in Adventures in Vamp-Sitting. Buffy and Spike go on a date to hear Kermit Ruffins play at the Blue Nile in Hello Goodbye. It’s also mentioned in A Small Boat on the Ocean and Adventures in Vamp-Sitting. Snug Harbor is supposed to be amazing, but I’ve never been. http://frenchmenstreetlive.com http://bluenilelive.com

I highly highly recommend going to see Kermit Ruffins play wherever he's playing. It was on our MUST DO list from my training director when we lived there. He was playing at the Blue Nile for the longest but he seems to be all over the place now. https://www.songkick.com/artists/115899-kermit-ruffins About him: https://www.basinstreetrecords.com/artists/kermit-ruffins/

Places to Stay: 734 B Royal St., New Orleans, LA I’m not sure if this place is still for rent, but my husband and I stayed there in 2013. The ghost tour stopped at the door every evening. It’s supposedly haunted by the Octoroon, a young girl who is supposed to be very friendly. Her cat can be heard on the third floor. This place is the second floor. Buffy stays here in Hello Goodbye, and later Buffy and Spike stay here, too, in the same fic. It’s right next to the blue dog museum and the cathedral, and it’s really magical to wake up to the cathedral bells ringing.

We also stayed at the Bourbon Orleans. It’s supposedly haunted on the uppermost floors, but I was too scared to stay up there. http://www.bourbonorleans.com

Also, if you want to stay where I stayed when I was a kid and want the full people watching Bourbon Street experience, stay here. It used to be a Best Western. https://www.neworleans.com/listing/four-points-by-sheraton-french-quarter/672/

Touristy Things

Steamboat Natchez – this is the steamboat I went on with my family as a kid. It’s nice to take a ride up and down the Mississippi River. https://www.steamboatnatchez.com

The French Market is a really great place for shopping, food, and drinks. Buffy goes here at night when it’s closed in Hello Goodbye. https://www.frenchmarket.org

At St. Louis Cathedral, you can go inside and at night, there are all the fortune tellers and musicians outside. Artists are outside during the day, and there is a lovely garden in front of the cathedral. I attended Mass once here during my internship year. Buffy notices the fortune tellers in Hello Goodbye and actually talks Spike into taking her to see one in A Small Boat on the Ocean. http://www.stlouiscathedral.org

You can also take a tour around the Quarter in a horse and buggy...they're stationed near the cathedral and Café du Monde.

The ghost tours are supposed to be really cool.

And cemetery tours are unique because the graves are all above ground. St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 would be a good place to tour, and Buffy goes here looking for an easy slay in A Small Boat on the Ocean. This is where Marie Laveau is buried. http://discoverhistoricamericatours.com/new-orleans/historical-locations/st-louis-cemetery-no-1/

If you want, you can take a streetcar, which is kind of fun. I think we used to ride one to the zoo when I was a kid. https://www.neworleansonline.com/tools/transportation/gettingaround/streetcars.html?

Audubon park is gorgeous for the large oaks and is in that beautiful section with the fancy old houses. You could probably pair this with the Columns hotel or Jacques Imo's or the Audubon zoo, which is a lovely zoo. https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/audubon-park

If you go to the park, check out the Columns hotel for happy hour...this is where Willow and Oz get engaged in A Small Boat on the Ocean. They have a jazz brunch, but I’ve never been. https://thecolumns.com

The WWII museum is supposed to be wonderful. https://www.nationalww2museum.org

Hurricane Katrina exhibition appears in Adventures in Vamp-Sitting. I dragged my poor husband here. https://louisianastatemuseum.org/presbytere/exhibit/living-hurricanes-katrina-beyond

And Marie Laveau’s House of Voodoo is a must see shop. I’ve gone there every time I’m in New Orleans and it’s always so interesting to visit. https://voodooneworleans.com/

There are plantation home tours and swamp tours. I’ve always wanted to do a swamp tour!

When Anne Rice lived in New Orleans (not sure if she still does...I know she moved back and forth at one point), she had a Halloween party at her house every year. Now, it sounds like the fans have a vampire ball. http://annerice.com/Lestat-TheVampireBall.html

[pcurrytravels]

Thoughts: New Orleans (Part V)

It was day three in New Orleans, and once again we woke up early for breakfast. We found out that there was a location of Daisy Duke’s in the CBD that was even closer to our hotel so we went there. I decided to just go ahead and get breakfast this time…..with a side of crawfish hushpuppies. I have to say, I actually liked this location of Duke’s better. The service was quicker, the prices were slightly cheaper (might have something to do with how the other location is in the more touristy French Quarter) and the sweet tea was even better. Oh, and they offered crawfish hushpuppies here while the other location didn’t. And yes they were delicious.

After we finished, my mom went back to the room while I took a little morning stroll, exploring the CBD some more before I decided to give PJ’s Coffee on Canal a try. PJ’s Coffee is the ubiquitous coffeehouse in New Orleans (I literally only saw two Starbucks the entire time I was there), and after trying their product I can easily see why. Remember when I said in the Mini-Guide how their blended Granita drinks are like Frappuccinos but better? Well, they are. They’re smoother, sweeter, and likely made with better quality coffee beans (I mean, New Orleans is a port city so I imagine they’d have pretty easy access to a number of things, including coffee beans). So yes, if you visit New Orleans and see a PJ’s Coffee (and you definitely will), be sure to stop by and give them a try.

Going back to the room to chill for a minute, we then set off to the National WWII Museum. We used the St. Charles Streetcar to get there, and I must say, riding this one was a much more pleasant experience than any of our rides on the Canal or Riverwalk streetcars. Although it can still get crowded, this line is rarely ever standing-room only. Unlike Canal, it also has windows that open, which is surprisingly a very effective means of keeping things cool on board (the Riverwalk line has windows that open too, but that line is usually packed with people and, thanks to the resulting heat attracted to human bodies, an open window is not very effective). It felt nice being able to easily grab window seats without having to worry about having to push through people upon reaching our stop.

Down St. Charles Avenue, through the CBD and Warehouse District, we got off at Lee Circle which was, almost appropriately, right next door to the Civil War Museum and a block away from the National WWII Museum. Why am I saying it was appropriate? Because Lee Circle is named after Robert E. Lee; you know, the Confederate general?

Yeah, modern New Orleans may be a fairly liberal, morally loose and open-minded place, but it’s still the South. There’s going to be reminders of the antebellum and Jim Crow eras all over the place, and that includes public “memorials” to the Confederacy. Ugh. Thankfully, last year the local government decided to remove the statue of Lee that sat atop the pillar pictured above. As they should, because reminders of the more shameful parts of American history such as that need to be in museums, not shamelessly displayed in public (now what they need to do is change the name back to Tivoli Circle or something but I guess that’s none of my business).

Speaking of museums, the National WWII Museum is great……if you’re into the topic. I don’t know if it’s because I learned all about it in school (I remember having one history teacher in high school who was particularly passionate about this era for some reason so I already feel like I studied it to death) or what, but it just didn’t do much for me. Aside from the exhibit about servicemen of color in the War, the Japanese internment exhibit, an infographic which detailed the threat of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy and the Japanese Empire and the C-47 hanging in the lobby, nothing about the museum really caught my attention. I honestly feel like it was just too small as my mom and I were in and out of there in less than thirty minutes, which is weird when considering how highly regarded the museum is (I’m also VERY happy we got in with the power pass as the admission price is WAY too high at face for what you get in my opinion). It’s a shame the Civil War Museum next door wasn’t included in the Power Pass as I always found the Civil War more interesting than World War II to be honest.

Once we were done, we hopped back on the streetcar to Canal and from there made our way to Jackson Square once more. We first stopped inside the PJ’s for a moment to enjoy frozen lemonades and air conditioning. You’d think we would have an easier time getting used to this weather, seeing that our family originates out of Alabama and Mississippi in addition to being the sort of climate our ancestors were forced to do unpaid labor in for hundreds of years but I digress. Upon cooling down, we stopped to listen to the live brass band for a few minutes before heading into The Cabildo.

The Cabildo is one of two twin buildings which flank the St. Louis Cathedral. Originally serving municipal purposes, the two of them as well as the 1850 House have been repurposed into outposts of the Louisiana State Museum. The Cabildo in particular once operated as the city hall, in addition to being the site where the Louisiana Purchase commenced, but it now hosts an exhibit about Louisiana’s history; spanning from its settlement by the French in the 1600’s to the Reconstruction era. Now, it was fairly interesting and all, with paintings, artifacts and templates about the battle of New Orleans, the region’s indigenous peoples, the differences between French and Spanish colonial rule/policy, West African slaves and free people of color, the Louisiana Purchase and the area’s history with pirates, but overall, I didn’t find it as captivating as The Presbytere.

On the other side of the Cathedral, this not-quite identical building (if you pay close attention, you’ll notice it’s painted in a lighter color and has a flatter, more squared-off roof than the Cabildo /architecture nerd) was originally a courthouse, but now serves as a museum for Mardi Gras, Napoleon’s death mask…………and Hurricane Katrina.

I can remember the news reports like it was yesterday. Having been under the impression that hurricanes were just a Florida thing or something, needless to say, I was scratching my head in confusion at the whole ordeal. My fourteen year-old brain was struggling to comprehend how a hurricane could both reach and do that much damage to somewhere so far inland from a coast (I managed to figure it out a few science classes later), but I still just shrugged it off and thought “oh, they’ll be fine, Florida gets through it every time!” However, upon seeing video footage of vast swaths of houses underwater along with thousands of people crowding into the Superdome, that’s when the severity of the situation hit me.

Even more upsetting was how horribly the situation was handled. People were without food and water for DAYS after the storm made landfall (something we’re seeing a repeat of with Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico basically). It definitely should not have taken nearly a week for FEMA to show up. Then again……the overall catastrophe had more to do with the failure of the area’s levee and floodwall system than it did with the storm itself. I have to ask, why were they in such bad shape in the first place? Many theories and conspiracies still abound to this day, but either way, what happened was a tragic mess that could have been avoided in so many ways.

There were a number of pictures on display of the aftermath, as well as video footage of the day the storm made landfall, and it all felt so……..eerie. Sad, but eerie. To think this eerily deserted city, under siege by a raging, violent storm, is the same vibrant, energetic place that we had been walking around in for the past several days. I almost had to look out the door just to make sure everything was alright; even though, in a lot of ways, things aren’t totally alright (…….a whole thirteen years later). Houses and buildings devastated by Katrina can still be spotted all over the city, and although I didn’t go see it for myself, it’s been said that the Lower Ninth Ward (arguably the most devastated neighborhood of all) has more or less been deemed a lost cause and they gave up on rebuilding a long time ago. New Orleans has definitely rebounded, but it’s still heartbreaking to see so many lingering signs of this catastrophe.

After finishing the Katrina exhibit, we walked through a hall that featured tidbits about Hurricane Betsy, another devastating hurricane that took place back in 1965 (although still not as bad as Katrina) before walking past the random sight of Napoleon’s death mask and upstairs to the Mardi Gras exhibit. Granted, it was more or less a retread of Mardi Gras World, aside from focusing less on floats and more on the history of the various krewes, the “throws” (beads, doubloons and the like) and costume design. It was still a lot of fun none the less. Alas, the clock was ticking, and we wanted to cram one more thing in before embarking on our cruise, so it was off to the lower Pontalba building for the 1850 House.

The Pontalba buildings are two, four-story, red-brick twin buildings which flank Jackson Square. Built in the 1840’s by an accomplished businesswoman known as Micaela Pontalba, they were originally designed as Parisian-style luxury rowhomes, with high-end retail and dining establishments being housed on the first floor. Having fallen into disrepair by the 1930’s, they were then extensively repurposed into apartments, which are still in use to this day. The portion now known as the 1850 House remained untouched, however, instead being used by the Louisiana State Museum as a time capsule exhibit. Within, you’ll be given a glimpse into the lives of middle-class New Orleanians in the 1800’s.

Through a small courtyard, and up a rickety and old-fashioned spiral staircase, you’ll be greeted to a template which provides some information about past occupants of the row home which leads to the parlor and dining room. Granted, each room is protected by a glass railing, likely to prevent damage to the various antiques as it is a self-guided tour after all. Basically, all you can really do is look on at the rooms and their vintage furnishings from the hallway. On the third floor, you’ll find the bedrooms and the nursery and going from there (the layout of the place was pretty confusing so I’m not sure what direction we were going in at this point), you’ll see an exterior room which served as the slave and/or servant quarters until you reach the kitchen and storage room at the base of the house. Now, I’m a vintage/antique nerd, so I enjoyed it, but it probably would have been just a bit more enjoyable if they offered a guided tour, thus allowing you to explore the rooms in detail.

Oh wait, what time is it? Oh, time for the Creole Queen Paddlewheel Cruise! We hopped on the Riverwalk line of the streetcar once more and took it to Spanish Plaza (a monument to Spain’s colonial legacy in the area) which is where the boat was docked. The Creole Queen is one of a number of paddlewheel boats in New Orleans which offer old-fashioned river cruises. Once you hop aboard, you’ll be treated to stunning views of the city and the river (provided you can ignore its gross and oily brown hue) while the guide gives you a little history lesson. Granted, most of the stuff he was saying I already found out from the other tour guides and museums I went to, but it was still enjoyable nonetheless. As I looked around and took pictures of the CBD skyline, Jackson Square from afar, Algiers, the New Orleans port, the old Domino sugar factory, the plantations in the distance and even more Hurricane Katrina ruins, we came to a stop at the Chalmette Battlefield and National Cemetery; the site of the Battle of New Orleans in 1815.

We got off the boat and walked towards an old (creepy-looking and probably haunted) plantation home known as the Malus-Beauregard House, where a man dressed in 19th-century military regalia waited for us. From there, he walked us to this spot underneath a very large oak tree, next to a small bayou, where he began to talk about the Battle of New Orleans. And honestly? I don’t know if it was the story itself or if this particular guide was just boring, but he wasn’t able to hold my attention. It was also hot AF and there were mosquitoes and dragonflies swarming all over the place, so I just took a few pictures of the battlefield and the house before making my way back to the air-conditioned, bug free boat; savoring some bread pudding while waiting things out.

Upon arriving back in New Orleans, we rushed over to Audubon Aquarium, seeking to cram in one more attraction before resting up for our ghost tour in the French Quarter. You better leave the lights on for this one.  

[gingerandwry]

Jackson, Mississippi

After a very fun Mardi Gras weekend in New Orleans (sorry, no blog entry for that), I hit the road again Monday morning for a brief stop in Jackson, Mississippi. On my last road trip I took the more scenic River Road across the state, but I skipped Jackson. I’m always curious about state capitals so this time I opted for the faster I-55 route across the state for one night in Jackson then on to Memphis.

The I-55 is dull of course (it’s an interstate) but surprisingly pretty, especially north of Jackson. It’s mostly bucolic farmland of gently rolling hills spotted with lakes and cut-through with small creeks. The vibrant colors were particularly striking, especially contrasting the grey day. Lush greens, ruddy reds, burnt oranges and muted yellows. It was all very painterly and pleasant.

The approach to Jackson, however, is not at all inspiring. I stayed at a Best Western that seemed near downtown but was in a nowhere-land of fast food joints, closer to the Fairgrounds, a massive ugly cylinder surrounded by an even bigger, uglier, empty concrete space. The hotel itself was fine tho I did need to switch rooms after an hour of hearing the woman in the room next to me yell at her husband over the phone because he had not come home the night before and left their kids alone all night. It felt very... Mississippi. That night I ate at a surprisingly nice, trendy restaurant/bar, Lou’s Full-Serv diner.

That morning I set out on my sight seeing. I was driving to Memphis that night and wanted to beat the dark and rain so I did not have much time. My first stop was the Old Capitol Museum, housed in a 180 year-old domed Greek Revival building that formerly served as the state capitol (and briefly the Confederacy capitol) until it was deemed too small. It’s a lovely building and the museum charts its history, its fall into disrepair and its careful restoration. Not a lot to see but worth a stop.

The rain had reduced to a drizzle so I set out on foot to walk around the historic center. I passed the Governor’s Mansion which is a very Southern portico’d mansion and City Hall, only slightly less impressive. The area was very quiet with many empty storefronts and practically no cafes, restaurants, etc. but all the parking spots were taken. I imagine they’re all commuters into what is a dull city. I then headed to the current State Capitol building, which looks like the old one only much bigger. It’s perched imposingly on a hill and really commands your attention and respect. Inside I was surprised at how busy it was-- full of conference attendees, bureaucrats and school groups. The three-story art deco interior is stunning. The dome, the tall marble columns and the ornate wooden balustrades imbue grandeur, while the arches and thousands of low-watt light bulbs give it old Hollywood glamour. The effect is dazzling.

Next stop were the Mississippi History Museum and Civil Rights Museum. They are separate museums housed in the same building. It all seems very new, and it’s extremely comprehensive, engaging, fair and well-executed. The History side traces the state’s history through various eras, from the indigenous peoples to the early Spanish/French/British/American days to the Civil War and Reconstruction to the Great Flood of 1927 and the Depression to WWII. The Civil Rights side covers slavery and Jim Crow but focuses mainly on post-WWII. Both sides’ displays tell personal stories as well as describe local and national historical events. The History side also covers a wide range of themes: political, scientific, technological, ecological, economic, social, etc. (Another nice touch is all the signs directing visitors to important historical sites around the state.) They strike an excellent balance between text, images, videos and artifacts. My only complaint is that it’s too much-- I wish I could have spent all day there.

The contrast with Birmingham’s Civil Rights Museum was interesting. Birmingham felt more uplifting and empowering. Alabama was the site of great setbacks of course but they had many dramatic successes as well, like the bus boycott and the Selma March (which led quickly to the Voting Rights Act). Mississippi just feels tragic. The killings of Medgar Evers and Emmett Till, the James Meredith riots at Ole Miss and his later shooting on his march, the murders over Freedom Summer and endless, well-organized resistance from white supremacists at every level of government and society. It might just be the different ways these museums tell their stories, but it seems like the victories in Mississippi came only through very slow court battles whereas Alabama had more success and some more dramatic pivotal moments.

My last stop was the Mississippi Museum of Art which is supposed to have a phenomenal local collection. Most of the museum was closed for renovations and/or installations so very little was on display. But that’s OK since I needed to get back on I-55 and get to Memphis. After a nerve-wracking drive through pouring rain, I finally made it.

[greenvilleavionics-blog]

Where the wind comes sweeping down the planes... and more?

It’s Summer Time! And for some of you that means VACATION. Vacations can be fun and exciting. Weather you are looking forward to kicking your feet up at the beach or hitting the tee with your buddies. Here are some weather facts to think about when prepping for your next Fly-in vacation.

FIVE Surprising things about bad weather and flying: 1. Summer Storms vs. Winter Weather. The FAA says summer storms are worse than winter storms.

2. Thunderstorms / Weather Flying delays. Sure, there are some thunderstorms in the wintertime, but they are far more frequent and more intense in the spring and summer. In fact, pilots are trained not to go anywhere near them, if they can help it. Veteran Alaskan Airlines Capt. Sean Cassidy says, “Depending on the nature of the thunderstorm activity, you might fly as much as 20 miles or more around a thunderstorm.” You never know how long a weather detour will take and it is best to not fly in stormy or bad weather.

3. Summer can be Frosty Iced aircraft wings can be an issue even in the summer - not on the ground, of course, but depending on how high you fly and the amount of time you are up in the air and the amount of precipitation in the air with you. 

4. Ground Fires and Weather. The Flight Safety Foundation website states that wildfires, if they’re big enough and conditions are just right, can create their own “weather”. This can result in updrafts and ultimately, extreme turbulence. Bottom Line: A bright sunny day is no guarantee for a smooth flight.

5. Mother Nature’s Surprise Tornados and Hurricanes.

At Greenville Air, we care about your Flight Safety so we have done some Research to show you where the weather may become a little bumpy around the globe.

Bahamas: There’s a much greater chance of rain during the summer and fall.

The curse of Bahamian weather hurricane season, lasts (officially) from June 1 to November 30. But there is no cause for panic. More tropical cyclones pound the U.S. mainland than The Bahamas.

The average July Weather Nassau Bahamas In Nassau, the month of July is characterized by essentially constant daily high temperatures, with daily highs around 89°F throughout the month, rarely exceeding 92°F or dropping below 86°F. Daily low temperatures are around 79°F, rarely falling below 75°F or exceeding 82°F. For reference, on August 5, the hottest day of the year, temperatures in Nassau typically range from 79°F to 90°F, while on January 29, the coldest day of the year, they range from 66°F to 77°F.

Hawaii July’s weather in Hawaii can be described as very summer-like with lots of sunshine and warm temperatures. Daytime high temperature average in 80s F. Nighttime temperatures only dip into the low to mid 70s F. July’s rainfall is typically one of the lowest for the year.

Hawaii lies in the central Pacific, where about four or five tropical cyclones appear each year, although as many as fifteen have occurred, such

as in the 2015 season; rarely do these storms actually affect Hawaii.

The 2017 hurricane season in the Central pacific kicks off in June and forecasters are predicting an “above average” year, with five to eight named possible storms. The season comes on the heels of two busy hurricane seasons over the last two years.

Jamaica Four Weather Tips

1. January through March have the lowest rainfall.

2. September and October are the cheapest, rainiest and least popular months to visit.

3. Temperatures in July and August are often uncomfortably hot.

4. March and April have the best combination of low rainfall and warm temperatures.

Like most Caribbean islands, Jamaica has a hurricane season that runs from June through November every year. Average rainfall during the hurricane season shows a modest increase during June and a drop in July.

Although it Rockets back up in August it seems to be the third most popular month to visit this rich in culture island destination.

Montego Bay, Jamaica July is the hottest month of the year in Jamaica, and the beaches and swimming pools of Montego Bay are packed during this time. Humidity and heat are both high during the peak summer months, so if you don’t deal well with either then perhaps this isn’t the best time for you to visit!

Although it may be hard to resist with July being the month of music, with the Reggae Sumfest celebrating the life and music of iconic musician and activist Bob Marley, as well as reggae music as a whole. The festival begins with a beach party on the Friday night and basically continues with musical fun throughout the weekend, with plenty of rum thrown in for good measure.

Just remember if you are flying into a beach destination you will need to check the weather and be prepared for the heat and humidity! Some other alterative vacation destinations further inland.

North Carolina Outer Banks where the Wright Brothers first took flight in 1903. Imagine landing just steps from the Wright Brothers Monument.

Florida Keys Key West, Florida (EYW), is a favorite spot for pilots in the United States, allowing you to get a taste of the Caribbean without the pesky Customs procedures! The Atlantic hurricane season formally begins June 1 and ends November 30. Historically, the chances of hurricane activity are greater between August 15 and October 1. During the past 100 years, the historical average frequency of a hurricane impacting somewhere in the state of Florida is once every two years.

Colorado Steamboat Springs (KSBS) Steamboat Springs is an internationally known winter ski resort destination, so pack your coat and head out to Colorado for some awesome skiing in the winter, or visit during the summer for hiking around the mountains.

Alabama Dauphin Island (4R9) Landing at the Dauphin Island Airport (4R9) is as close as you can get to landing on an aircraft carrier. In 1519, the Spanish explorer Alonso Alvarez de Pineda was the first documented European to visit the island.

California Lake Tahoe (KTVL), Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the United States and the tenth deepest in the world, with a maximum depth measured at 1,645 feet. It’s also incredibly clear with a 70-foot visibility. There’s world-class skiing in the winter, and plenty to do in and around the lake during the summer.

New Orleans Lake Front (KNEW), Louisiana Originally the major commercial airport in the New Orleans area, the Lake Front Airport relinquished its role in 1946 when commercial airline service began from the nearby Louis Armstrong International Airport. If you want to visit the French Quarter during Mardis Gras, this is the airport for you.

Alaska Skagway (KSGY) Enjoy a Gold Rush style meal in historic downtown Skagway, Alaska. Surrounded by Yukon Territory and snow-capped mountains, you’re sure to get gold fever. With over 1,000 new miners flooding the area each week in the late 1800s, by June 1898, with a population between 8,000 and 10,000, Skagway was the largest city in Alaska. Today, it has around 900 permanent residents.

Virginia Tangier Island (KTGI) Tangier Island is a historic and cultural destination for pilots located in the middle of the Chesapeake Bay. The majority of the original settlers were from South West England, and the tiny island community has attracted the attention of linguists because its people speak a unique English Restoration-era dialect of American English. Most of Tangier Island is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Arizona Grand Canyon West (1G4) The Grand Canyon West Airport and the surrounding land is owned by the Hualapai tribe of Native Americans.

Texas Gillespie County (T82) The Gillespie County Airport is home to the Hangar Hotel, a 50-room hotel dedicated to providing visitors with an experience much more than just a room. It’s built to look and feel like a hangar from the WWII era, and you can park your plane right out front if you’re visiting!

Arkansas Gaston’s White River Resort (3MO) has their very own grass airstrip open to all guests. Come in to visit for breakfast, lunch or dinner, or stay overnight.

Tennessee Dyersburg Army Air Base-Veterans Museum, Halls, TN The Veterans’ Museum was founded on the site of The Dyersburg Army Air Base in 1997. The base had been a training facility during WWII for B-17 pilots. While the Museum honors our veterans from that era with displays, photographs, and history of the base, we are proud to honor all of our veterans with displays from conflict wars starting with WWI through present day.

Always check the weather, your radar, and stick to your flight plan when flying anywhere.

Another tool is https://www.wunderground.com/hurricane an aviation hurricane weather reporter.

Last month’s issue of the BEACON JUNE 2017 also has a great resource. Remember article on page 11? “Prevention of Loss of Control Accidents. Fly Safe FAA Recommended Aircraft Safety Do’s.” “Fly safe, and enjoy your vacation!” from the Greenville Air company and the BEACON.

[twochanginglatitudes]

ORMOND BEACH/NEWORLEANS

We spent three days in Ormond Beach. Got some quality beach walks in with brother Cary and on our own. Had nice visit with Cary. We put him to work. He helped us convert a lot of paper data to digital. This included much of my Powell ancestry research. This was incredibly helpful. He, also got us to a good luggage store. We upgraded for our travels. We spent time in some great restaurants. This included lunch with the swans at the new Stonewood. Also, fabulous dinner at a Honduran place. From Ormond we made a long day driving to New Orleans. We stayed three nights at Les Richelieu. This is a boutique hotel on the edge of the French Quarter. Great location. The building has an interesting history. We stayed here on the recommendation of Jesse and Valen. And, Oh, Paul McCartney stayed here for two months some years ago. We stayed in a very large one bedroom suite. Was very comfortable . Our main issue was the lack of in room wifi. Arguably, you probably should not be tethered to wifi when staying at a place like this. But it is now our lifeline. However, the location was the best. Irene's is a very well known restaurant. It was two blocks from our hotel. We lucked out with an early reservation and had a great meal. Went over to Bourbon Street afterwards. This was not what we expected. Music everywhere, which was great. But a very dirty and somewhat rundown area. Next day we went up to the river walk area. Looked at some shops. Went by BB Kings club. Saw Bennie Turner was playing that night (Freddie Kings brother). Made reservations. On the river walk there is a park area that had a monument to immigrants and a Holocaust Memorial monument. The Holocaust structure is a multi -glass panel display. Depending on where you stand and the direction of the sunlight, many images are formed. A Star of David can be seen. Total black representing the darkness of the holocaust period. Other panel images represent death, chaos, hope, renewal and more. Very moving. Along the river walk it is impossible not to notice the magnitude of the homeless issue that New Orleans has. This is found in other areas of the French Quarter, as well. With all the revenue that pours into New Orleans we wondered why this has happened. We know it can be a complex issue. But this should not be happening. We went to the Audubon Aquarium. It had a good representation of sea life, in general. Also, there was a focus on the marine life in the gulf. Hard to compete with aquariums in Atlanta, Chicago and others, though. BBs was great. Good New Orleans food with amazing blues music. Benny was backed by a great trio that featured an amazing keyboardist. She is Keiko Kamaki. She is from Japan. Started classical training at age five. Was a child prodigy. Much to her parents concern, she fell in love with New Orleans music. Apparently, has been part of the scene there for a number of years. Her chord and solo work was traditional blues with jazz and classical touches. Next day was consumed mostly with a trip to the World War II museum. This is newly opened. One building is still under construction. The museum has some very unique features. When you arrive you are given a 'dog tag' which is a chip card. You then board a simulated train car from the WWII time frame. It was designed to resemble the famous North Platte train. You scan your dog tag at your seat. You are assigned the name of an actual GI who fought in the war. As you proceed through the museum, you can activate certain stations to give you the persons progress in the war as you progress, time wise, through the war. Regrettably, both our men lost their lives. The main two buildings are devoted to the Pacific campaign and the European. We started on the Pacific. Becky's dad served in the Pacific, in the Philippines and later Japan. It was informative and emotional for her to follow the progression through the war. We spent several hours in this area. We had to go quickly through the European war. I had an uncle who received two Purple Heart medals for service in Europe, so we both had a connection. This is a place you could spend days. As indicated, earlier, after this and the POW museum, we are convinced that our politicians should be required to study these museums. The magnitude of war decisions must be understood from all perspectives. OK. We had to try NOLA, Emeril's restaurant. It lives up to its reputation an then some. Highly recommend. Enough said. On to Oklahoma.

[pcurrytravels]

Thoughts: New Orleans (Part IV)

So we were sitting inside Basin St. Station, when I looked up how to get to Mardi Gras World. Again, NOLA’s public transit is very unreliable with erratic routing. We probably wouldn’t have got there until they were closing after walking about a mile given how far the nearest bus stop is. Thankfully, they offer free shuttle service upon request. So I gave them a call, and they showed up at the former station’s doorstep about five minutes later.

In the air-conditioned shuttle, the driver was highly pleased to answer all of our questions and talk at length about his city for the duration of the ten minute drive. Sadly, it escapes my mind exactly what we were talking about, aside from him recommending Mother’s to us for po’ boy sandwiches. Upon arrival, we walked inside, past a number of large props to the gift shop, awaiting the next tour. While my mom took a seat, I walked outside to get a look at the Crescent City Connection.

A pair of twin, cantilever bridges (the fifth longest of which in the world) that reside over the Mississippi, in some ways it’s like the Golden Gate of the south. There’s a number of bridges that connect over the Mississippi River, yes, but this would be the southernmost; likely because it would be tricky to build another bridge even further south. New Orleans is still a major port city, you know. Given these facts, the CCC is very much where the Mississippi River transitions into the Gulf of Mexico, just like how Golden Gate marks where the Pacific Ocean ends and the San Francisco Bay begins. Another thing to note is how aside from a few collapsed signs, the bridge managed to come out of Hurricane Katrina almost completely unscathed.

Anyhow, back to Mardi Gras World. The tour began in an auditorium with a short film that explained Mardi Gras. Now, thanks to how it’s usually portrayed in movies and television, I was under the impression that most of the Mardi Gras parades and festivities took place in the French Quarter. So you could only imagine my horror when I first visited the Quarter and imagined those narrow streets being crowded with massive floats while thousands of people looked on. Like…….how on Earth does that work? Thankfully, I learned that this isn’t the case. Although the French Quarter is packed to the gills with people, it’s a city wide event, and the parades with large floats actually begin in Uptown, Mid-City or the Garden District, taking place along St. Charles and/or Canal. Only walking parades take place in the French Quarter.

The video we watched before embarking on the tour was highly informative; in particular, we learned about what a Krewe really is. These are the social clubs which run the parades; each member must pledge a fee that can range from as low as $20 a year for small walking lines to a number in the thousands for the larger, more famous ones like Rex, Momus, Bacchus or Zulu. Well, who designs the floats? Mardi Gras World of course.

After the video, we were then taken on a tour through their warehouse to learn about the float making process. It must be noted that they are VERY resourceful. The majority of the floats and props are created using papier mache; a material that’s light enough to easily repurpose and retool, while at the same time durable enough to be used year after year. There’s a few pieces designed out of fiberglass and, while shiny and impressive to look at, are much more fragile and almost impossible to retool, thus explaining while this process isn’t utilized as much. Inside you can see a number of pieces from the floats of previous years being redesigned for the next Mardi Gras season (although “officially” celebrated on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, in New Orleans tradition the festivities begin in January). It’s a long, arduous process (in a hot, muggy warehouse with mosquitoes all over the place to boot), which makes the end result(s) all the more admirable.

And their hard work shows; throughout the warehouse you can see the wide variety of floats they have designed. Many of which with themes ranging from Greek Mythology, to Voodoo, to Medieval England, to Pirates and so on. There are also a number of floats and pieces themed around sports, comics, cartoon characters and the like. Much fun as it was, I have to admit it got a tad repetitive looking at the floats after a while. They use a fairly small team of artists to design and visualize them and it’s been this way for a pretty long time. They’re all impressive of course, but it would still be nice to see just a little bit more variance in the art style.

We left a little bit after 4 P.M. and I looked up the closing time(s) of some attractions in the French Quarter just to see if we could cram one more thing in for the day. I looked up the Pharmacy Museum and saw that it remained open until 6 P.M. The shuttle dropped us off near one of the stops for the Riverwalk line of the streetcar. We took it to the JAX Brewery building station and walked down only to see it had closed for the day. The website said 6 PM, but the door said 4 PM. Confused by the discrepancy, we just shrugged it off and made our way back down to JAX Brewery.

Originally the home of Jackson Brewing Company, the JAX Brewery building has found new life as a mall……..and a rather subpar one at that. Just trying to stay cool, we browsed around for a little bit and there weren’t really any shops in there worth buying anything from. Unless you count the obligatory souvenir shop and Lids. Then again, although I was pleased with how the French Quarter managed to maintain so much of its historical, cultural and local charm and character, at the end of the day, it’s still a tourist zone, so I suppose it’s a given I was going to run into a tacky, generic mall sooner or later.

Hungry, hot, sweaty, musty and tired of walking, my mom and I decided to make a trek to the famous Café du Monde right next door…….only to see that there was no indoor seating and that the line was around the corner. Yeah, no thanks. Instead, we walked back over to the JAX building to eat at Café Beignet.

With a smooth Jazz trio serenading us all by the door, in addition to beignets and café au lait of course, I ordered me a crawfish omelet while my mom ordered a tuna salad sandwich (……..really, mom?). The crawfish omelet while a bit, unexpected if you will, was delicious, but the real star here is the beignets! French-style doughnuts that are hot and crispy on the outside, covered in five tablespoons of powdered sugar, but soft as a pillow and airy as a cloud on the inside. I LOVED them. Enough so that I stopped by at another location to grab some more the next day, in addition to buying a box of beignet mix just so I could bake them at home.

Anyways, after wandering around the French Quarter just a little bit more, and stopping by at a bar next to my hotel for a few drinks, I decided to just retire for the evening. Very lame, I know. The next day, we headed off to the National WWII Museum and Jackson Square once more before embarking on a cruise down the Mississippi. So much to say, so little time.