New Orleans, vacation 2010

My girls and I had a wonderful opportunity to get away for a long weekend.  I don't know how it came to be . . . guess it was a "bee" in someone's bonnet.  It worked out so that Erica, Johanna and I flew out of Kansas City and met Kristy in New Orleans.  It wasn't as simple as that as our flight left early so three of us drove to KC after work on Wednesday to simplify getting to the airport on time (we had to get up at 5 am, for gosh sakes!)  Kristy got to the Urbana airport easily enough but her flight got cancelled for maintenance to the airplane.  Kristy's ticket agent had to work her behind off to get Kristy to New Orleans only a couple of hours late instead of 4 or more . . . while Kristy was holding head in hand, moaning "I'm late; I'm late!"  But it all worked out.  Here are three sisters standing in the New Orleans International Airport, April 7, 2010.  And delighted to be here!

We (okay, me)I met Kristy coming off the plane with a piece of paper: 

FONTANA

it said.  Just like in the movies.

We all met her. I was the one with paper.

A shuttle ride to the car rental, then here we are.  Standing in the State of Louisanna.  In New Orleans, in fact.  Standing in the garden of our condo, Wyndham at Trend West.  Or Trend West at Wyndham.  I can not keep that straight!  But whatever . . . the condo was perfectly located beside the Street Car track that would take us to the French Quarter . . . or west to a residential/small restuarant area.  Yes, it would.  It would take us there when it was running on schedule.  And it did run on schedule sometimes.  And sometimes it didn't and then we walked a few blocks and found breakfast and Lottes . . .  or hailed a cab to get where we were going!  Either way, it worked. 

We were on floor Eleven.  I walked the stairs once, just to see if I could (I could!), but usually we took the old-fashioned elevator.  Most of our experience at this hotel was great!  Absolutely the best . . . except upon departure we had occasion to think otherwise . . . but that is story for another day.  You can see the Westbound Street Car Tracks in this photo.  Natives (and/or fitness conscience visitors) used the Street Car Median for jogging or riding their bicycles.  The joggers and bikers yielded to the Street Cars.  At least while we were visiting. 

One of the things I wished for, before going on vacation.

A 'sure enough', real life, Brass Band, marching down the street in the French Quarter. 

Folks were following along, throwing Mardi Gras beads and dancing in the street. 

And drinking.  Did I mention drinking in the streets. 

This is St. Charles Avenue, the Street our lodging was on.

In the French Quarter. 

Silverstein and me. 

We saw his brother Goldstein, later. 

And Whitestein, down the block! 

All with a cash box in front of them. 

Wanta photo?  You pay! 

This is a photo taken in the French Quarter. 
This is where all the sidewalk bars,
ghost tours, street attractions and Music Festival
attendees congregated!  The crowd grew so large,
the buggy drivers had to shut down and go home. 
Darn! 
We waited too long to look for a buggy ride. 

At the festival, we saw all kinds of art work.

Had the opportunity to try all kinds of new seafood. 
Nana actually did eat the crawfish; everyone tried them!

From the internet: 
Steps to Eating Boiled Crawfish


1. Remove the head - Hold the top of the crawfish with one hand,
 and place your other hand above the tail.
Twist so that the tail separates from the head.
2. Pinch the very end of the tail with one hand,
and pull the tail meat out with the other.
3. Enjoy the delicacy!

The Optional Part


Some people actually add another step to eating boiled crawfish.
When you remove the head from the crawfish,
if you want to savor every drop of spice,
you can suck the head before you discard it.
If you are a novice when it comes to eating crawfish,
you probably will want to skip this step.
If you're feeling adventurous, though, give it a try!

Kristy must be an old pro.  These are the exact instructions she gave us! 
And we did.  We ate crawfish and sucked the head.  Try it!

Where did all the people come from?
The crowds were larger than anticipated.

Meet Dancing Man!
He's a Dancing Machine!

We are on the Free Ferry, crossing the Mississippi to Algiers
looking back at the Music Festival Crowd on the other side.

More crowd and more art.

This is Laura, the plantation.  It is being lovingly restored.  It is a creole plantation and (as we learned) we know this because of the original color scheme.  The Creole's were brightly painted.  The "Americans" painted their big houses white.  The Americans were looked down upon for quite a long time. 

Laura's lawn and an ancient oak tree.

This is the "mother-in-law's" house. 

Fact is tho, she managed the plantation for about 60 years

and then, before turning the reins over to her granddaughter,  

built this huge house and demaned $75 grand a year to "consult". 

She was a smart, capable woman.  

Maybe a "tough cookie" is a good description!  

 

Oak Alley

This blows my mind!  The trees were planted 100 years before the house was built!

Maybe there was a smaller home up that lane before they erected this one, fit for a King?

Laura's lovely garden is a backdrop for this good photo.

I could write more . . . and should! 

but I might not ever get it posted

so here goes!  Enjoy.

Missing Persons & other related tales

I still haven't figured Blogger out since they changed the way we insert photos.  In a lot of ways it is better, easier -- but I still struggle.  I suppose it could just be me . . . oh no.  I hate to admit that. 

In the Title, it says "Missing Persons".  When I got home and pulled my photos off the camera, I didn't have a single one of two young boys.  In thinking back to the weekend, the images and memories of Jack and Joey are with their back to me -- running off somewhere.  Or on the 4-wheeler, taking a ride with someone.  I did have them in the cabin awhile Saturday and later in the golf cart at one point but it was raining and cold and I didn't stop to take their picture.  Not that the boys (or the girls for that matter) minded the cold or the rain. They all had blankets and were enjoying tearing around the lake -- and not a one asked to go home.  Finally, Nana, had to make an executive decision.  "We are going home", she yelped, soaked up to her knees and down her back.  Nana turned and ran --  with her tail between her legs!

 I'm sorry I didn't get photos of Jack and Joey but I am delighted that they both like the cabin and the outdoors and all things mechanical and male --  and I will get photos next time. 

These swings still always get a good work out. 

I will really be sad if, or when, there are no little ones

to swing in this good Swinging Tree. 

This old "Good Time Harley" has already been a lot of fun for us and is sure helpful to have a round.  It can Zip up to the cabin to get something forgotten or needed -- or it can carry 5 or 6 children from one place to another with only a little groaning and creaking.  I think this is a 1978 or '79 model, plus or minus 6 years.  No matter the age, tho, the Cart has about a trillion lake miles on it.  Five of Vi's grandchildren learned to drive on it and now five of mine are taking turns, learning.  Well, okay, 6.  Six! Now that Audri sat on my lap the other day and steered. 

A busy scene; if I hadn't cut off so many heads, this would have been a really good photo!

Chez Dana (with a little burger flipping from his FIL) served us up a great smorgasbord of shrimp, tuna, scallops, pork steak, burgers and hot dogs!  Oh, and one turkey sandwich.  We all found something we liked and new things to try and were well fed.  I was in awe of the variety. 

Morghan spent quite a little bonding time with Bella and will soon be of an age to babysit.  She is honing her skills and, of course, becoming more responsible every day.  Morghan Grace, is like her Mama and her Nana before her.  Morghan Grace loves her babies!  I heard her "hint" to her Mama the other day that she would welcome a new sibling . . . if that should ever be a possibility.   lol

  

And here is the Birthday Girl!

Madeline Mae, 7 years

Maddie, may your 7th year be a wonderous thing. 

Make a Wish, Maddie Mae!

And don't tell!

Those cupcakes were delicious --

and a great idea, especially while camping. 

I'm not sure what the attraction was here. 

But I think these are ring-side seats and that

something is going on over there!

Gabrielle says

Goodbye.  

Good Night!

The End!

Spring in northern Missouri

We have a Redbud in Mo.

One living, breathing, blooming,

Redbud. 

and one dead one.  Darn!

Himself and I had a good visit.

We swept and prepared the cabin. 

Meeting --

Next weekend.  You all come.   

I hiked the banks.  

I walked the roads and the little lake.

First time.

(more about that later). 

We rode to Lake Marie

and saw the new and the old cabins  

Home again,

and enjoyed the evening on the porch.

This trip, we soaked up sunshine

and relaxation by the yard.

Too soon

it came, to journey back home. 

Above, Pretty, delicate Sweet Williams.

Or as some say,

Wild Phlox.

Photos just do not do it justice.