5/3/2010

This past weekend, Michael and I drove to LA to go to the NOLA Jazz Fest with Liz. We left after work on Thursday and drove to their place in Baton Rouge. Friday morning, we got up early to head to New Orleans and spend some time in the French Quarter. By dint of Frommer's guidance, we were able to spend several enjoyable hours strolling the town. The best part was that it was overcast, which kept it cool, but no rain!

All the streets had these signs with their Spanish names. Any one care to hazard a guess what this street is called today?

Gardens at the Beauregard-Keyes house. Wonder if I can convince their gardener to come do my lawn?

Some random pretty house. Wouldn't a porch like that be fun?

Liz looking pretty, as always.

In front of St. Louis Cathedral

Ceiling of St. Louis Cathedral

Andrew Jackson Memorial. I thought this was kind of strange, but it just goes to show my lacking historical knowledge. Jackson was the hero of the Battle of New Orleans, defending NOLA during the War of 1812.

Jackson Brewery. Hmm, wonder who that's named for.

Stella! This was Tennessee Williams' residence. And yes, there did used to be a streetcar route named "Desire" in New Orleans.

Right near the Williams' residence was a hat shop. Michael and I both picked up straw hats, but Liz and I couldn't resist a picture with some of the more outrageous ones.

Rollin', rollin' on the river . . .

After stopping at our hotel to freshen up (which, thanks to Hotwire, we got for 75% off!) we headed out to Boucherie for dinner. This is a restaurant in the Garden District whose chef and owner is the son of Michael's father's friend. Did you follow all that? Anyway, the food was delicious, particularly the bacon brownie that Liz and I shared. I know, it sounds weird, but it was delicious! After all, doesn't bacon make everything better?!

The streetcar we took to and from the restaurant. Quite fun! And cheap!

Saturday was Jazz Fest day. We were able to get discounted tickets by virtue of Shell being the presenting sponsor. Score! Plus, we got plenty of other perks, including free transportation to the festival grounds and a tent where we could cool down, get food and use restrooms that were not available to the hoi polloi. Quite nice. ;-P Anyway, we had a pretty good time, although we were somewhat disappointed in the headliner, Pearl Jam. I guess they were playing a bunch of stuff off their newer albums, which none of us knew and didn't really like. Plus, everyone around us was smoking pot. Ugh! But, nonetheless, we had fun, checking out all the different acts and, more importantly, people watching!

View of the stage. As you can see, we were super-close. ;-P

Michael is terribly interested in the music.

But not as much as Liz!

The best part of Jazz Fest: watching all the crazy people. Sorry, I don't know how to turn it.

After we'd had enough we headed back to Baton Rouge and finished out the weekend by finding a local Episcopal church for Sunday worship before heading back to SETX. Overall, a very enjoyable weekend. Especially because I got to see Liz. Hope Shell keeps sponsoring so we do it ll again next year!