Thanks y'all...
It's an interesting town to be sure, and as Mark pointed out, it’s got its scruffy edges that have to be contended with. I also think it's one of those spots that kind'a needs several days of exploration to be seen in its best light and be able to come away with a good sense of the place.
We actually stayed at a place on St Charles Ave, a bit away from the Quarter, and used the street cars to get around…
View attachment 538971
We spent a good bit of one morning roaming around The Vieux Carr (as the pics I posted earlier will attest), but pretty much avoided Bourbon Street (just wasn’t the reason for the expedition). You still had to kind’a look past some of the -shall we say “more intriguing” - entrepreneurs, but then again the explosion of live music to be encountered at every turn was a definite enhancement to the experience.
We also wanted to make a point of spending some time on the river, so I booked us onto the riverboat Natchez one afternoon (as if I could resist the chance to get myself onboard a boat). Here’s a few Images form that bit of the trip…
View attachment 538972
View attachment 538973
View attachment 538974
View attachment 538975
View attachment 538976
The obelisk in that last one there marks the site of the Battle of New Orleans (a battle during the War of 1812 that took place after the conflict had actually ended but also made a name for one Andrew Jackson)
Turns out that while were we’re down there, it was during “Navy Week” and the city’s 300th anniversary. As such, the USN kindly dispatched a couple ships to the party and opened them up to the public. As such I also got to spend a little bit of time aboard this lady…
View attachment 538977
USS Kearsarge (LHD-03)
View attachment 538978
View attachment 538979
Interestingly, I noticed that being open to the public didn't mean for a moment that they were letting their guard down...
View attachment 538980
Needless to say, in my book this extra bonus was chalked up as a bit of a win.