As was much anticipated by our dedicated readers (okay, so mostly just by Trey and I), we are back from the "Big Easy" and finally putting up some photos. (FAQ: Yes, Katrina damage is still
visible. No, they have most things up and running again. No, it didn't flood while we were there. Yep, the food is good!)
So, a few months ago, Trey suggested we might need to "reconnect" after the bulk of hunting season was over (I think she put it something like, "You know I've only seen you six hours this month!"), so we decided to get out for some time together. Airplane tickets were on sale and New Orleans looked warmer than San Francisco, so our decision was made--and no, we didn't have a "real" reason to specifically visit "Nawlins". To seal the deal, Trey even found a nice bed and breakfast with terrific rates!
We had a great flight, despite Southwest Airlines' method of seating ("Everyone, go"). We found a cab right off the bat, and traffic was light enough to get us to our accomodations in much less than the hour we were told to expect (the airport is quite a ways from downtown).
Wondering how Lua Kelly (an old-time rancher from Elk Mtn) knew to advise us against visiting Bourbon Street, we went directly there to investigate for ourselves. All we could find was spectacular people watching (lots of VERY intoxicated people from all walks of
life), some goofy shops (anyone need a cannon?), and "slushie" machines full of $11 mint juleps, martinis, and every flavor of margarita ever invented (we stayed sober-note price, above). Of course, we had to mosey back again the second night to take some pictures AND try some barbequed shrimp, alligator-sausage gumbo (the bird-eater seen here was not harmed in the making of our gumbo), fresh seafood, and make another stop at the cafe for more BEIGNETS (the French answer to donuts/AKA: death by powdered sugar).
But we didn't just eat and people watch. Trey also hooked us up with Dave, Nawlins resident expert, who toured us around an OLD cemetery at the edge of the French Quarter (yes, that's Marie Leveau's tomb with all the vandalism) and helped us understand quite a bit about the city's history, a few notable folks from the French Quarter, music, Katrina, and voodoo. After the tour (and supper, of course) we were so excited we decided to go see THE haunted mortuary up the street from our B&B. The trolley we 
caught turned the wrong way, so we hiked the 12 blocks 
up to the mortuary and back (While Nawlins HAS figured out tourists like the historic trolley cars and parking is an issue in the French Quarter, the city HAS NOT figured out how to put them or the busses on SCHEDULES or make the routes understandable to the tourists). Anyway, we made it there and back safely, and, even though the supposed "24/7" haunted house was closed, Trey had a grand time taking photos of their back yard while I 
took a minute to reflect on the fact that I was not carrying a gun and take notice of the area's residents (financially challenged people who had just lost what little they had in a major natural catastrophe, muggers, murderers, voodoo/hoodoo practicioners, ghosts. . . ) and encouraged my artistic wife with comments 
such as, "hurry up", "lets go back to the area with the street lights", and such. As they say, life is all the more meaningful with a little excitement! (The guys touching the bull in "Wild Hogs" comes to mind)
(Note: the lights and trolleys shown below were nowhere to be found at 4800 Canal St around 11pm on December 13th!)
On the last day, we toured several homes in the "Garden District" (snob hill) on a "Preservation Resource Center" fundraiser and got to peek into some large mansions that were decorated for the holidays, got to meet the French Consulate to New Orleans, sampled some pralines at a church flea market, and had some extra time to walk through the park and visit Audubon Zoo (named after some local guy who liked to collect and make scientific drawings of birds, maybe you've heard of him?)
Anyway, it was a very worthwhile trip I'd recommend to most anyone. Just remember to not have a schedule, 'cause the trolley car operator may well need to take her coffee break in the middle of your ride; take plenty of cash, 'cause restaurants in the Big Easy won't take plastic (but the street vendors will?); take your appetite, 'cause the bread pudding is pretty filling after having that bowl of turtle soup, the fried oysters, and the "Gulf Fish Platter"; and have fun, 'cause New Orleans is apparently where all the Santas go to rest up before their big day!
Beyer Haus B&B in New Ulm, MN (We found it by accident but it was to late in the day to get reservations. Can't wait to go back!) 
Jason relaxing on our private porch at the B&B outside of Rapid City, SD 
A visit to a local nature conservation museum in MN ... Jason is measuring his wing spand!
Road trip... driving through the Badlands in SD. It was 110 so we stayed in the car for most of the scenic loop. 
Visiting Beyer Field in Blue Earth, MN. Named after my grandfather. Here I am texting a picture of me next to the sign to my friends on FB. 
Treysons at the Badlands, SD
Jason is on the road this weekend for work and I'm off to Georgia to visit family. We hope everyone is well and enjoying the last few weeks of summer. 
