New Adventure, Days 1 to 3, Oct. 23rd-25th

 Day 1:  We got up bright and early Monday (3;40 am) to get to the Portland airport for our first flight (to Seattle) and then a second flight to New Orleans.   We arrived in the Big Easy at about 4 pm, taxied to the Terrell House B&B.  Elaine, my sister, had arrived several hours before us, after getting up even way earlier than us.  This is birthday trip for her.  And I am doing an abbreviated blog, characterized with lots of photos and little text.  What follows is the record of our two full days in New Orleans

Terrell B&B, 1441 Magazine St.

We were tired but needed a leg stretch and an early dinner.  So out we went walking to the Garden District.  We got our first taste of the New Orleans architecture.  The temperature was pleasant and we passed many homes with gardens, wrought iron fences, uneven sidewalks (had to watch our steps), and a few leftover Mardi Gras beads laying on the sidewalks.

The Cat Place

The New Orleans Fire Museum

We supped at The Bayou Bar, sharing a kale salad with shrimp, garlic fries and a humus plate.  I had a light colored stout beer, which tasted of vanilla and coffee - called a peffercorn.

On the way home, we went by Cemetery No. 1 and to a local ice cream shop for a scoop.

Day 2:  We went via walking, public transport and Uber to the City Park for an Outdoor Sculpture Garden, to Longue Vue House, with a rest stop at the local Cafe de Monde cafe for iced coffees and beignets.

We toured the Scuplture Garden and took lots of photos of modern art pieces.

We stopped at Cafe de Monde for a break and upon leaving saw some unusual wildlife.

Muscovy Duck

White Ibis

Note, more unusual wildlife (alligator with turtles) in the City Park lake!

Next stop after walking about 3 miles was Longue Vue House and Gardens, once a private residence that has been turned into a New Orleans historic site. 

Chili Pepper plant

A wayward box turtle

Calico Vine

We "Ubered" back home before taking a bus to near the Audubon Park to meet up with Betsy's cousin, Lee.  

On the way to Lee's house.  We joined her for dinner at Clancy's

Day 3: We went to the French Quarter.

A brew pub we frequented on an earlier trip.

We were scheduled for a 'hands-on cooking class here this evening.  More on that in a later post.

Inside St. Louis Basilica

A sea shell 'reflector'

Jackson Square

Carriage rides for the tourists

Inside the French Quarter

The Jean Lafitte National Historical Park, hour-long session with jazz pianist, Ricki Monie.  He played a variety of jazz, ragtime, and hymn favorites, while talking about his life in the jazz music field.