New Orleans, Louisiana Part 1~ Mardi Gras 2009

The rv reached New Orleans the morning of Sunday, February 22, 2009 for the second leg of Lucky's Wild Ride. The ride went down without a hitch. The only thing we are missing this time is Brad.

With 3 days left to enjoy Mardi Gras. First day, we watched the Krewe of Thoth go down St. Charles Street.

The beads and dabloons come at you quickly and the men are quite intimidating in their masks...

Lucky loved catching all the stuff flying off the floats...

I eventually found my way to the hurricane stand...

...and Lucky cruised up and down the parade route waiting for Bacchus...

When the Bacchus parade came, it was even more spectacular... (the amount of orbs in this photo is interesting, if you believe in that sort of thing. Think about all the grisly deaths in this city).

The next morning we took a self guided tour through the Lower 9th Ward. The grim reminders of Katrina sit still and silent as all the tv images that are burned in our brains play back to us. There is much sadness...

...there is also beauty to be found...

...and it is easy to feel a tightly knit neighborhood that has joined together...

We took time to play at a newly built park...

...and smell the flowers...

Then on to the Garden District just in time for the Orphus Parade.

This on was really fun. The floats came by closer together and there was no shortage of goodies. We even saw Joan Rivers and the cast of Reno 911 throwing beads (sadly they went by too fast for any decent photos).

Come Fat Tuesday, We thought we would rent a room in the Quarter, for a closer look...

All kinds of mayhem, foolishness and carrying-on to be had...

This is all happening on a Tuesday. I love it.

Lucky seemed to be one of the main attractions, getting stopped for many a photo-ops.

We propped him up in front of the Jolie-Pitt house to see if they'd adopt him, so we could go party. No such Luck. He's with us for the long haul. Just as well.

If we couldn't drink in access, we would eat to our hearts content. Sure, you can have your gumbo and jumbalaya and all that jazz (and we will). Hour and a half wait? That's okay.

Well, maybe a little booze...

This lady rode out Katrina... in her sleep.

Finally...Papa's gotta have his Port of Call burger and baked potato...

Took in a few street performences...

...and back to our room by 4:00pm were we watched Slum Dog Millionaire. Okay, it was good, but I liked The Wrestler.

Thanks for everybody's concern. We are safe and out of harms way from any stray bullets. We were not at the parade were that happened. Honestly, besides that, the vibe down here is incredibly cheerful. It really is a family celebration.

Well, thought I'd get an early post in. We will be in the area until Saturday or Sunday, then start making out way over to Austin, Texas. Yee Haw, Get along lil' Doggie!