New Orleans Trip Report

 My first overnight trip with a woman in a long time.  I prefer not to discuss relationship details on this blog.  I will say that it's going well and I will leave it at that.  If in the unlikely event that it ends badly, I will NOT trash her on this blog either.

New Orleans is not one of my favorite cities but it was the right call for this weekend.  I'm not ready for more than a weekend or a fly away so that left us with several options within a day's drive.  Nashville and Memphis were freezing cold so going south was the only option.  Even New Orleans was colder than normal.  Temps were in the low 50s on the first day with wind and didn't get out of the 40s the next day.  We took the short route going down with a quick stop in Hattiesburg then had lunch in Slidell.  We arrived about 1:30.

Day 1:

Our first stop was St. Louis cemetery.  I got a nice compliment about my teeth from the woman who sold us tickets.  Our tour guide was interesting but long winded so we put off the hotel check in and went straight to Vue Orleans, a 34 story tower with views of the skyline and the Mississippi River.  After dinner, we chilled at the hotel then went out to Bourbon Street.  Questionable call there.  It was a zoo scene.  Should have gone to a different bar and saved Bourbon for Sunday.

Day 2:

Got up for a river sunrise.  I showed the pics to a bartender that night, who thought it was Florida.  LOL.  After breakfast at the hotel, we made it to church at the cathedral.  From there, it was just a few blocks to Louis Armstrong Park.  We made a quick stop at the Voodoo museum then found to our horror that the car was booted.  The machine was broken and the payment never went through.  I'm fighting it and expect to win.  

After lunch, I went to the Jazz museum and the French Market.  Interesting even though I never heard of most of the artists.  I took Bourbon Street on the way back and found it much more enjoyable than last night.  After a good seafood dinner, I went out for a quiet drink then called it a night.

Day 3:

Took the long way back.  Got a quick taste of City Park then headed east on the interstate.  We got off at Gulfport and took a scenic 13 mile ride along the MS Coast to Biloxi.  We got some delicious fried chicken in Mobile before picking up 65 back to Birmingham.

Final thought:

Overall, a successful trip.  In the future, New Orleans is not a destination city but I do expect to be back someday.  If I go to Houston or Grand Isle, it's a good overnight stop to break up the trip home