Sunday, December 13, 2015

Steamboat on the Mississippi

New Orleans, Part 5

Beautiful sunny November afternoon in New Orleans. Let's take a steamboat ride on the Mississippi River.

 
Here we are on the Steamboat Natchez.
The Natchez is operated by the New Orleans Steamboat Company.
I didn't take a photo of the boat before boarding.

 
We got up close and personal with several big boats on the river.


 
The Domino Sugar company.
We saw them unloading raw sugar from barges on the river.

 
Another tour company along the river.


 
Great color.
Love the red, white and blue.
Just look at that sky.

 
We passed several barges traveling up and down the Mississippi.

 
The Steamboat Natchez, daytime jazz cruise is a great way to spend the afternoon in New Orleans.
I'm not sure how much fun it would be in the summer with temperatures in the 90's.
The music was entertaining with dancing for those so inclined.
There is a restaurant and a bar on board.
Did I mention the refreshing cocktail called the "Hunker Down"?
 
♥andPeace,Myra

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Destrehan Plantation


New Orleans, Part 4

The morning at Destrehan Plantation was cool and misty following a night of heavy rain.

 
Destrehan Plantation, Established 1787
French Colonial, Greek Revival
 
Destrehan Plantation is the oldest documented plantation home in the Lower Mississippi Valley.
Our tour began with a guided interpretative tour of the home.

 Destrehan from the back


 
The gallery windows and shutters.


 
View from the upper gallery
 

 
Live oak trees on the property


 
For more information about Destrehan Plantation you may visit www.destrehanplantation.org.
 
♥andPeace,Myra

Monday, December 7, 2015

The National WWII Museum

New Orleans, Part 3

At 7:55 AM, Hawaii time, Pearl Harbor was attacked by the Japanese on December 7, 1941. Today is the perfect time to post about my visit to The National World War II Museum in New Orleans.  Let me begin by thanking the brave men and women who served in the Armed Forces.


 
 
Second Lieutenant Joseph E. Burford
US Army
My dad during training.
 
 

 
A small WWII tank similar to the one my dad served in Europe with.
I have seen the big tanks but was excited to find a small one.
 I am sorry to say I don't know the name of the tank or more about my dad's time in England and France. I plan to get organized and do some research.

 


 
The museum has a big collection of vehicles used during the war.
I learned to drive in an old military jeep. Yep, manual shift.
 

 
Cat walks provide a good look at the planes.
 
 

 
We have binoculars in a leather case similar to the ones on display.
 

 
There are lots of interactive exhibits throughout the museum.
 
 
 

 
The movie Beyond All Boundaries, produced by Tom Hanks, is a must see.
The movie is in 4D and makes you feel like you are a part of the action.
It may be too realistic for younger children and some veterans.
 
 
The "Victory Garden" supplies garden to table vegetables, herbs and salad greens for The American Sector Restaurant and Bar.
We ended our visit to the museum with a preplanned group dinner at The American Sector.
The red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing were the highlight of the meal!
 
 

 
 
♥andPeace,Myra
 

Thursday, December 3, 2015

Walking the Streets in New Orleans

Part 2 of our vacation in New Orleans.

We had plenty of free time in the French Quarter to explore, people watch, eat and shop.

 
 
Many of the old streets in the Quarter have tile street signs in the sidewalks.

 
I learned that this building has a gallery not to be confused with a balcony.
The gallery protrudes out over the sidewalk and is supported by posts.
A balcony is a small platform without support from below.


 
Pretty windows

 
Lovely old door.
Would you ring the bell?

 
These apartments have probably seen better days.
But, location, location, location.

 
Gallery.
The dog on the right revolved with different color dogs all around.

 
Jackson Square with St. Louis Cathedral

 
Just across from Jackson Square and across the railroad tracks is the Mississippi River.

 
Buildings adjacent to Jackson Square across from the French Market.
Great colors.

 
Beautiful wrought iron work on the galleries of this building.

 
 
 

 
Fun window shopping.
 
More of New Orleans to come.
 
♥andPeace,Myra

Wednesday, December 2, 2015

Eating My Way Around The Crescent City

We joined another group tour late in November headed for New Orleans.

First things first, with limited time and opportunities for free time and dining on our own, Jim and I enjoyed restaurant hopping around the city.

 
I checked out a New Orleans guide book at the local library that was helpful in locating restaurants and attractions we wanted to visit with our "free" time in the French Quarter.
Our hotel also had a restaurant guide with menus in the room.

 
Creole trio at Acme Oyster House on Iberville.
Jim had oysters.

 
This is the "real" Café Du Monde in the Market.

 
I couldn't wait until I got to the French Market so I took
 advantage of a stop in City Park for beginets and café au lait at Café Du Monde.

 
Lunch at Desire located in the Royal Sonesta Hotel

 
Shrimp and Grits
 

 
I think this was the only day Jim didn't order oysters.

 
New Orleans Creole Cookery - Seafood
Courtyard dining and great food and service.

 
The best fried oysters I have had in a long time (sweet, salty and melt in your mouth).
The potato side was a tasty change from the usual greasy fries.
 
More from New Orleans coming soon.
 
♥andPeace,Myra