New Orleans, LA: 20 - 24 January 2020

Great street show

We finally got down to the "Big Easy" after several years of talking about it.  I had been there a few times with my time in the military and told Jennifer that we would get down there so she could check it off her list too.  We picked this time of year thinking it would be temperate and prior to Mardi Gras by enough time to see some of the buildup but avoid the Mardi Gras prices. This destination is not really one for a family getaway as there is no beach and of course the city itself has a bit of a dark reputation.  We wanted to stay within walking distance of the French Quarter and we found a really cool hotel in the Warehouse District called Old No. 77  It is a Boutique Hotel transformed from a warehouse.  Very nice and reasonable rates through Expedia.  I'm sure the prices vary greatly depending on the time of year.

We drove to Nashville on 18 Jan and stayed near the Opryland Hotel.  We had always wanted to stroll through it and it was worth the visit.  You can park for free at the mall adjacent to the hotel and take a 10 minute walk over.  Be sure to check out each section of the hotel as each is themed.

Drove on to Jackson, MS and visited with an old Warrant Officer buddy, CW5 Tommy Smith.  We were SIDPERS Chiefs at the same time.  He is now the CCWO for Mississippi ARNG.  He and his wife, Kim, served us a great dinner and we really enjoyed the hospitality.

We overnighted at a local hotel and finished the drive into New Orleans on Tuesday.  Unfortunately a cold snap hit the day we arrived.  It was around 40 the evening we checked in with a stiff wind.  We loved the room but we dropped our stuff and put on a few layers and headed over to Bourbon Street just to get a glance.  The cold had everyone off the street so we called it an early night.

From the inside Hard Rock Café on Bourbon

Next day we took a daytime tour through a local company at $45.00 a person 2.5 hours.  The driver of the minibus was awesome.  He was a sociologist with prior Navy experience named Howie.  We hit all the points of interest to include a stop at City Park where we tried Beignets for the first time.  They were a delicious dessert pastry deep fried covered in powder sugar.   We stopped at a local cemetery for a crash course on burials New Orleans style.  Soil is too saturated to be buried below ground.  Everyone is buried in a prepaid mausoleum that cost $25,000.  All family members can be buried and the names engraved on the outside.  Each internment is $7,000...learned that dying is big business.  After dark we did a 2 hour walking night tour of French Quarter for $25.00 a person to learn about some of the notable death stories with a paranormal twist passed down over the years.  Did pick up some interesting history that made the cold nights walk worth it.

French Quarter

nice part of City Park

Tasty New Orleans dessert

Night time walking tour

Thursday the weather got back to a normal low 60's with a warm southerly breeze off the gulf.  We slept in to mid afternoon as us older folk spent a late night out.  We went back to Bourbon street and it was hopping.  Saw two really cool street shows that Jennifer shot some video and put on our Facebook page.   Finished the evening by visiting a local Cabaret show.  Checked out next day and drove straight home (12 hours)

Overall the trip was worth it and there are numerous things to do.  If we go back we will be sure to hit the WWII museum, zoo, aquarium, and explore the city park.