New Orleans and the Monteleone . . ,

We got back from our New Orleans trip. We did all the things we wanted to do. Ride the St. Charles Street Car, walk the French Quarter and visit the French Market. Bought Parlines from Aunt Sallies, had coffee and binquets at Cafe du Mode. We dined deluxe at Galitois and even strolled down Bourbon Street. We found the city, the French Quarter, vibrant and alive with people all over the place. The tourists were everywhere having a good time. Where else can you walk out of a bar with your alcoholic drink and stroll down the street. It is truly a carefree zone. You see all kinds of people, mimes, drunks, strippers, hot dog stands, oyster bars on every corner, lots of food, good food at that. The major restuaraunts in the Monteleone were undergoing renovation so eating out was a must. But that was the intention anyway, Even brought a sport coat for the occasion. Certain up scale eateries require a coat after 6:00 PM, which is okay with me. My legs were sore from so much walking. I did not bring walking shoes so was stuck with my loafers which did not have the support of athletic shoes. Missed the LSU football game but it was ho hum anyway. Watched the end of the Meechigan and Catholics game. Thought Meechigan had lost but they came back and did in the Catholics. Poor Nortre Dame (the Catholics) no longe have the mystic and magic, they are at best a second tier team now days. En route to New Orleans we spent the night at the camp, ate dinner at Morels with Mark and Paul. The Camp looked good, well cared for with the grass freshly mowed. Some of the elaborate planting gone and will be missed. The new place next door is obnoxious. But then that's life along False River now days. We left New Roads and drove across the new bridge, nice and quick. Down to Baton Rouge, stayed on I-110 to I-12 and drove over to Covington. Ate dinner at the Acme Oyster Company, simple, a bowl of gumbo. It is located on US 190 just a couple of miles from the Pontchartrain Causeway. Like the new bridtge, the Audubon Bridge, we had never been across the causeway, so drove it across the lake. It was a pleasant drive and tooks right into I-10 on to downtown New Orleans. Got off at the French Quarter, went to the hotel and parked the car (and it stayed parked until we left). We really enjoyed the Monteleone Hotel, we found the employees to be pleasant, friendly, helpful and not over bearing. So it made the stay even better, no snobishness, just sort of family oriented. There was at the hotel six weddings and one convention going on. The Carousel Bar was packed nightly. We were surprised at how may tourists were floating around the French Quarter. They were everywhere. We think we will do it again, maybe next year. Who knows, we had a great time looking around in the shops and walking the French Quarter.