NOLA

My sweet Andrew took me on a 2-night weekend getaway to New Orleans.  I had never been, and since it is not too terribly far from home, we decided to go try it out.  We actually got to leave Thursday night, so we took it easy at the Hyatt Place (Thanks, Priceline!) in Ridgeland, Mississippi, and dined at one of our faves, PF Changs.  We got there late and barely in time for supper.  Andrew had it timed perfectly so that all that fabulous shopping was closed by the time with arrived and not yet opened the next morning!

The swamp views in Louisiana

We stayed in a New Orleans-y hotel called Le Pavillon.

I was excited to get to stay in a authentic, >100 years old New Orleans place.  We always fall for these little extra touches.

Cool rooftop pool that we did not visit.  We DID visit the fitness room.  I heard you burn twice the calories when you exercise on vacation.  Boy, did we need to exercise after eating so much!

My first look at Bourbon Street

Right away, we found some seafood.

Photographed this for my Mama...didn't know this side of you!!

Fun to see the interesting street artists

French Quarter

Jackson Square

Cafe Du Monde!

With our beignets and cafe au laits.  The place is covered in powdered sugar, but PACKED with people, and so good!

Outside Cafe Du Monde seating

Mississippi River

Outside shot of our hotel

Lobby

Big dinner night out at Mr. B's.  The "Brennans" seem to own a lot of restaurants in New Orleans, and we heard you couldn't go wrong.  Took a tip from NOLA-raised friend Laura Kellum, and it did not disappoint!

Nightlife on Bourbon

We party animals were back in the hotel at 10PM for the PB&J snack!

At the famous Mother's Restaurant

Glad we were there early- see the line now!

Riding the streetcar in the Garden District.  Notice the years of Mardi Gras beads hanging from the streetcar wires.

It rained a little as we were riding and cooled things down.  We had wonderful weather for July!

I thought it was cool that you just turn the seats around at the end of the streetcar line.

People gathering for a street performance

Dey love doze gatas!

We wound up in the middle of a watergun (fun) fight.  On the street.  Random.  Guy with masked and goggled little girl with watergun in carrier pictured.  You just never know what you'll see!

Eating at Cafe Beignet on Bourbon Street.  This time I got my OWN plate of beignets.  And an iced cafe au lait!  Ahhhh!!

View from Cafe Beignet overlooking Bourbon Street

For dinner: Deanie's Seafood!  So so so so yummy!!  More food than I could ever imagine consuming!  Hint- go early!

One more pic back at the hotel.  Another awesome meal- our hotel's Crystal Room brunch.  Had a great, relaxing time with my honey!  Could not have possibly held another morsel of food.  Thanks, Mimi and Pop for keeping EB girl one night, and Momma Lin and Daddy Don for keeping her two nights.  (Sorry about those traumatizing bathtub experiences!)  We REALLY appreciate the break :-)