{"id":3875,"date":"2016-03-09T15:01:11","date_gmt":"2016-03-09T21:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/?p=3875"},"modified":"2016-03-10T19:50:36","modified_gmt":"2016-03-11T01:50:36","slug":"cajun-vacation-day-4-nola","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/?p=3875","title":{"rendered":"Cajun Vacation: Day 4 NOLA"},"content":{"rendered":"

Time to move on.\u00a0 We got up early and packed our bags for the drive to New Orleans.\u00a0 First, we stopped for breakfast at T. Coon\u2019s, which was up the road from our hotel.\u00a0 It was full of local people, so we knew this had to be good.\u00a0 The waitress brought one of those tall containers of coffee to the table.\u00a0 I don\u2019t mean a small pot.\u00a0 It would easily serve maybe 10 people.\u00a0 The coffee was called Mello Joy Cajun Coffee.\u00a0 The name alone was great.<\/p>\n

Rich and I decided to overdose on the crawfish and ordered the crawfish omelets.\u00a0 I had grits while he got oatmeal.\u00a0 It was wonderful and so much food.\u00a0 Rick played it safe with a bacon omelet.\u00a0 Later, we agreed that he did the right thing.<\/p>\n

With breakfast done, it was time to join the race back up to I-10.\u00a0 Today, the racers weren\u2019t driving that fast, but they were still going a pretty good clip.\u00a0 It might have been all of the police cars we saw along the way.\u00a0 I bet the entire department was out in force.\u00a0 We made up to the highway and back on our way east.<\/p>\n

Rich wanted to stop in the Atchafalaya Welcome Center.\u00a0 Atchafalaya Basin is the largest swamp in the U.S.\u00a0 I-10 runs over it and most of the highway there is on stilts out of the water and mud.\u00a0 We pulled off the highway and into the visitor center.\u00a0 That first step off the highway was a doozey though.\u00a0 I slowed enough not to bottom out the Subie.\u00a0 Apparently, a car on the side of the road there wasn\u2019t so lucky.<\/p>\n

First stop at the center was to the bathroom.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the ladies room was being cleaned.\u00a0 I got directed to a bathroom in the center, but I heard that someone had been directed there already and it was a single stall.\u00a0 I went in and stood around by the door.\u00a0 I could hear the occupant finishing up, but then she started clearing her throat and making awful noises.\u00a0 Then she started brushing her teeth and spitting a lot.\u00a0 After 10 minutes, I started knocking on the door.\u00a0 She continued to brush her teeth and make more noises.\u00a0 By this time, I was dancing all over the place.\u00a0 I knocked yet again.\u00a0 The lady finally came out, but I couldn\u2019t be nice because I had to run to pee!<\/p>\n

After relief, I joined guys to look through the displays about the swamp, the wildlife and environment in the area.\u00a0 I wanted to go to the water if I could.\u00a0 The person at the desk said the only way to do this would be to go to the boat ramp.\u00a0 Otherwise, I would have to do a swamp tour with one of the guides in the area.\u00a0 We had no time for this, so the boat ramp it was.<\/p>\n

We went out to the car and drove from one driveway to another to reach the ramp.\u00a0 It was cool that ramp was actually between the east and west lanes of I-10.\u00a0 The water was just an inlet that ran in from the swamp.\u00a0 We couldn\u2019t really see anything of the cypress trees and critters out there.\u00a0 We were able to get some cool pictures of the pillars holding up the highway above us and the pool of water under the lanes.<\/p>\n

Time to hit the road again for NOLA.\u00a0 A few miles down the road, it was time to find the bathroom again.\u00a0 Coffee has a way of just running through you, especially when you are just sitting around.\u00a0 I pulled off the highway at an exit that advertised gas stations and a McD\u2019s.\u00a0 At the bottom of the ramp, the signs stated that everything was 7 miles south!\u00a0 If I were smart, I would have gotten back on the highway.<\/p>\n

My thinking was that everything was going to be off the highway here.\u00a0 We went out a ways before I gave up and turned east again.\u00a0 We traveled the smaller highway to a McD\u2019s where we could take care of business and Rich could tank up again on caffeine.\u00a0 Heading east, we followed the road until we could get back out to I-10.\u00a0 It wasn\u2019t too far out of the way and I tell myself that we took a side excursion into real-life Louisiana.<\/p>\n

I-10 was leading us closer to New Orleans.\u00a0 It was dropping a little further south all the time.\u00a0 We finally came to Lake Ponchartrain, which seemed to spread out like the ocean.\u00a0 It was huge!\u00a0 The road was elevated and pretty far above the water.\u00a0 We eventually made it to dry land and continued to NOLA.<\/p>\n

After a while, we could see the SuperDome in front of us.\u00a0 This was a sure sign that we had made it into the downtown area.\u00a0 Now to find the French Quarter.\u00a0 The Navi said only 2 miles ahead and to exist at Orleans.\u00a0 We did this only to be dumped into the middle of road construction.\u00a0 We followed the Navi directions to what should have been our street, but it was a blind alley.\u00a0 From here, we turned and went back the way we came in.\u00a0 Improvising meant turning right where possible and hitting another street.\u00a0 This street was also under construction, but at least you could drive on it.<\/p>\n

We went through the French Quarter and back out again so that we could drop a little further south.\u00a0 From here, we could drive back into the Quarter and get to the street where our hotel was. \u00a0The directions were confusing and the streets were very narrow.\u00a0 I managed to get down to Iberville St and to the Courtyard.\u00a0 The entrance to the garage was very welcoming.\u00a0 Glen, the valet, greeted us with a warm smile and helped us unload.\u00a0 I\u2019d be leaving the driving to him until we left again.<\/p>\n

Our luggage was loaded onto a cart and stowed in the baggage holding area since our room wasn\u2019t ready yet.\u00a0 We went up to register and check in.\u00a0 Since we were hungry and it was late, lunch seemed in order.\u00a0 We got directions to a couple of locations to try and set off again.\u00a0 Glen was manning the valet desk as we passed by and wished us well on our journey on foot.<\/p>\n

Out in the street, it felt like chaos.\u00a0 There were noises, traffic and a lot of people.\u00a0 A couple of blocks south, we found the Acme Oyster House and Felix\u2019s Seafood House.\u00a0 Because Alex, my brother-in-law, suggested that we go to Acme, that\u2019s where we headed.\u00a0 We had to wait in line, but it was only for about 5 minutes.\u00a0 The hostess came out to get names.\u00a0 I told her Joy, but she wrote down Julie.\u00a0 Rich happened to see that and told me.\u00a0 I went back to her and explained.\u00a0 She started to write Joy, but I changed it to Sharkey.\u00a0 She laughed and said she loved it.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s actually an old trick from working on the road.\u00a0 When we went somewhere, we gave Sharkey as the name.\u00a0 It was hard to tell when they would yell out names who they wanted.\u00a0 Sharkey is easy it hear and different than a regular name.\u00a0 You can tell the difference when they call you.<\/p>\n

We got seated at the bar.\u00a0 The bartender took our drink orders for two Abita Amber Ales and one Purple Haze ale.\u00a0 Rich ordered raw oysters to start.\u00a0 Only Rick and I were eating them.\u00a0 Rick has no interest in them raw.\u00a0 Like I told him, you take a bite, chew once, and then slam it down with a drink of beer.\u00a0 It\u2019s the best.\u00a0 Rich ordered chicken and sausage gumbo while Rick got the jambalaya.\u00a0 I had a shrimp po\u2019boy.\u00a0 After another round of beers, we were ready to get started.\u00a0 While waiting for the beer, the hotel called to say our room was ready.<\/p>\n

We walked back to get our luggage and settle into our room for a quick rest.\u00a0 It felt good to have a comfy place to rest.\u00a0 That didn\u2019t last long though.\u00a0 After saying hey to Glen again, we made our way to Bourbon Street.\u00a0 It\u2019s really seedy and a lot of unwelcomed shops and fronts along the way.\u00a0 I could see where the music would be good, but the strip clubs and things were just too much for me.<\/p>\n

We got to St. Peter\u2019s Street and headed to the river.\u00a0 We figured we could check out the mighty Mississippi from this angle.\u00a0 The wind was really cold and biting.\u00a0 It was mid 70s, but the rain was feeling like it would start at any time.\u00a0 We got back across the trolley tracks and through the panhandlers to find Caf\u00e9 du Monde.\u00a0 This is little place recommended for beignets and caf\u00e9.\u00a0 It was a nice pick-me-up.<\/p>\n

By the time we had gotten to Jackson Square, the rain was starting to come down.\u00a0 We dashed to St. Peter\u2019s Street to find shelter under one of the spreading Southern oaks. \u00a0Of course, we didn\u2019t want to chance that lightening was following this storm.\u00a0 We continued one down the street under the cover of overhangs on the sidewalks.<\/p>\n

Since we were looking to get in from the rain, we figured we might as well go on to Pat O\u2019Brien\u2019s.\u00a0 In the door, Rick got carded.\u00a0 The gentleman looked us over and said we posed no threat to the establishment.\u00a0 Since the rain had stopped, we asked to be seated in the courtyard.\u00a0 We got a table under one of the umbrellas in case the rain came back. \u00a0Rich and Rick got Hurricanes.\u00a0 I got a daiquiri.\u00a0 I just couldn\u2019t do a tall glass of alcohol.\u00a0 Rick pointed out that Rich\u2019s Hurricane had something in it.\u00a0 Rich spun the glass around shouting, \u201cSpit it out, you bastard,\u201d in a Scottish accent.<\/p>\n

We had a good time talking as the guys were trying to slowly make their way through the drink.\u00a0 It is an experience to get through it without feeling too lightheaded.\u00a0 In the meantime, we were being dive bombed by sparrows chasing each other.\u00a0 One sparrow barely missed my head as he was trying to take a cherry away from the others and flew right at me on his way out.\u00a0 The fountain by our table was periodically spraying us as the wind would blow through.<\/p>\n

Drinks were done and it was time to leave.\u00a0 We got our souvenir glasses wrapped up to go at the front door.\u00a0 Meandering down Bourbon Street, we could see all kinds of things happening.\u00a0 The music was starting to come out of the different bars.\u00a0 There were a lot of college age kids and really old people.\u00a0 It was a different mix.\u00a0 There were girls who appeared to have come from some of the strip clubs hanging out in the street.\u00a0 People were stopping on the sidewalk or just walking slow.\u00a0 Travel times were going up for us.<\/p>\n

I can\u2019t say that I really cared much for Bourbon Street.\u00a0 The things I don\u2019t like were many.\u00a0 The things I didn\u2019t mind weren\u2019t too much.\u00a0 This was definitely not one place where I would think about spending too much time.\u00a0 But then, I had plans and places to be for some of the time we had in New Orleans.\u00a0 Rich was right that a couple of days would be enough.<\/p>\n

After resting up and detoxing (Rick\u2019s words), we decided to head out for dinner.\u00a0 Alex had recommended Napoleon House for dinner.\u00a0 We headed south toward the lake and missed our turn onto Chartres St.\u00a0 One more block was Decatur.\u00a0 We turned left and headed to St. Louis.\u00a0 Another turn left brought us around again and up the block to our destination.\u00a0 It was a very cool location.\u00a0 On Alex\u2019s suggestion, we asked to sit in the atrium.\u00a0 The center was open to the sky, but the tables were around the walls and under a roof.<\/p>\n

Our waiter, Paul, introduced us to the Pimm\u2019s Cup, which was really delicious.\u00a0 Rick had a Pimm\u2019s Mint Julep to go with his alligator po\u2019boy.\u00a0 Rich had the\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 I wasn\u2019t that hungry so I went for the pate and sausage platter, which was excellent.<\/p>\n

Dinner being over, we wondered back the way we came to stop by a couple of clubs where we had heard music.\u00a0 The Jazz Club was quiet now.\u00a0 Big Mama\u2019s Blues Lounge at House of Blues was having open mic night.\u00a0 This could be interesting.\u00a0 Janet Burgan was on stage doing folk.\u00a0 The next guy up was from Milwaukee and had come down to film a video of his time at the mic.\u00a0 The next guy was pretty depressing and so were his lyrics.\u00a0 The next performer apparently plays in one of the lounges at the House of Blues and was honing his skills here.\u00a0 That\u2019s about all I could take and we headed back to the hotel.<\/p>\n

We walked by Bourbon Street, which was blocked off and seemed to be ramping up for a good time.\u00a0 Glen was still on duty and waved us on through.\u00a0 I stopped in at the desk to ask some questions.\u00a0 The people around the hotel here were so friendly and answered your questions with such big smiles. Maybe they\u00a0 know something I don\u2019t.\u00a0 I was behind a man and his son who needed toothbrushes.\u00a0 The lady behind the desk was chiding the son for letting his father forget them at home.\u00a0 The boy turned to his dad and said, \u201cYeah.\u201d<\/p>\n

Good thing that I learned: \u00a0A Cajun is someone who is non-Acadian that marries an Acadian. \u00a0So I guess we are all Cajun wanna-bes.<\/p>\n

Needless to say, the day was pretty great.\u00a0 We ate, drank, ate some more, drank some more, and walked around and around.\u00a0 Another great day in the vacation of the Zurek family.<\/p>\n

\"Boat<\/a>
Boat ramp into the swamp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Oyster<\/a>
Oysters for lunch at Acme<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rich<\/a>
Rich is happy with the oysters<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rich<\/a>
Rich had Gumbo for lunch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rick<\/a>
Rick had jambalaya for lunch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Just<\/a>
Just had to take a picture of this one<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Catching<\/a>
Catching a breeze on the levee<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Beautiful<\/a>
Beautiful building for Jackson Brewery<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"St<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Heading<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Guys<\/a>
Guys with their Hurricanes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"Something<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Courtyard<\/a>
Courtyard at Pat O’Broen’s<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Looking<\/a>
Looking up through the atrium at Napolean House at dinner<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Time to move on.\u00a0 We got up early and packed our bags for the drive to New Orleans.\u00a0 First, we stopped for breakfast at T. Coon\u2019s, which was up the road from our hotel.\u00a0 It was full of local people, so we knew this had to be good.\u00a0 The waitress brought one of those tall […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3875"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3875"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3875\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3912,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3875\/revisions\/3912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3875"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3875"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3875"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}