The Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Slidell Louisiana

The Gulf Coast of Mississippi was clobbered much more than new Orleans, Louisiana, but they have made a marvelous come back in the town of Bay Saint Louis. They have turned the stumps of shattered trees into art.

The Pearl River watershed near Slidell, Louisiana is a wonderful refuge of plants, critters, and wetlands. This is the first sanctuary greeting migratory birds as they cross the Gulf of Mexico from Central and South America.

 There is still much destruction in the swamps and bayous from Kristina and Camille.

These cool knobs sticking out of the water are projections of tree roots that help the swamp trees breath.

King Zulu Parade Mardi Gras Teaser

Near our hotel on Magazine Street in New Orleans is the parade route from many of the world famous Krewe Parade groups.  We have been warned to check out the smaller neighborhood parades during our week in New Orleans, but how can you refuse Zeus and Zulu. Okay, okay, I hear you all there will be fifty million screaming, "Mister, mister throw one to me," with arms out streached and waving in front of us. There seems to be no end to the warnings, "Don't bend over", "Hold hands to stay together", "Don't carry nothing", "Keep your plastic cup full", "Watch out for the babies on top of step ladders." We hear very little "Dance, Dance, Dance" "Sing and Swing", "Kiss your lover",

Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras night

Where else can you go but walk up down from Decatur to Bourbon for the music and fun on Mardi Gras evening in New Orleans. Everyone want to get and give hugs except for those misguided  lines of folks carrying a large cross pushing everyone out of the way down the center of the street.

 Dinner was scrumptious. Maybe some chicory coffee today with Beignets.

But first some hangover mix.

 The streets and balconies were packed. Surprisingly the rest of the town was empty and closed.

Maybe it was the rain

Everyone was having a great time except for this group of about 100 misguided souls who had lost their way.

 Canal street was blocked by Bourbon Street Parades and a red carpet from the Marriott to the big hotel across the street.

We couldn't find a cab for less than $20 to take us ten block to the Greenhouse in so we walked the 10 blocks down Magazine Street.

 

Crescent City Brewhouse Jazz and Oysters Mardi Gras

Here we are Crescent City Brewhouse

In the French Quarter

Mardi Gras Night

I am still looking for Ignatius J. Reilly's statue on Canal Street and the D. H. Holmes department store where John Kennedy Toole's "A Confederacy of Dunces" begins. I do have on my green deer hunter's hat in honor of Ignatius.  Ellen may put her lacy black spangle attire back on. More photos will follow.

 

 

I will be having Oysters and Gumbo tonight!

 

Maybe a Hurricane libation

 



MARDI GRAS Zulu Parade It's 45º in the Rain

Okay everyone it's Mardi Gras! morning and the Zulu parade has just begun its route through New Orleans. We are about 3 blocks from our Greenhouse Inn on Saint Charles, and it's freezing and rainy. Ellen has her cane, she is on the curb and ready for what ever is thrown her way.

The first floats and bands are just arriving.

Not Many Ladders today with all the wind and rain, but there are lots of kids on shoulders.

On Sunday a kid got hit by a float and that stopped the parade for about and hour. Today we are all getting into the middle of the street. They have just pulled most of the marching bands from the parade because the poor musicians and dancers were freezing with no rain gear.

 Now Ellen is getting out in the street and loading up my back pack. What are we going to do with all of these beads and stuff!!!

 

 Okay Ellen has her big beads now and is loaded with jewels.

 Here we are back at the room with the top layer off and you can see Ellen's beautiful costume.

Bacchus Parade Sunday Night



All fun of Bacchus

 Monday night the big Bacchus Parade begins on Saint Charles street for us. The theme is "the sporting life" meaning mostly hunting, fishing, bird watching, frogging, and possibly imbibing your favorite brew.










 This float is for swamp tourism with all the assorted critters and flowers.

 Some kids and parents are up and ready....

 And some are not???

 Ellen is ready and hollering, "Hey, mister toss me one!!!"

And this is the street car tracks after the parades on Sunday.
New is Lundi Gras!

Sunday before Mardi Gras

Well folks we are up and out on the streets collecting our beads and all the wonderful good vibes here on St. Charles Avenue in New Orleans. The parades started at 11 am, but we are still looking for them on our spot at 12:30. There is plenty of music and fun on the street

People have brought their own floats, recliners, ladders, footballs, BBQs, coolers, and hula-hoops.  Ellen  is getting her crowd photos now.

For Donna Heath here are the kids on the ladders waiting for the beads, and a chance to yell, "Hey mister, throw me one!!!!"

 Here is the zombie voodoo group

 And here come the beads, footballs, stuff animals, cups and good cheer. The Irish House across the street has two open windows selling what ever libation you could want.

 And between every float is a marching band,