The road to New Orleans was long, but I made it! Traffic leaving Houston was a mess due to an accident that rerouted everyone off the freeway, across a small intersection and then back on. What a nightmare. And then again in Baton Rouge, I spent over 30 minutes on the bridge that crosses the Mississippi. Overall, I arrived at my hotel more than TWO HOURS later than I had planned (and that original time included the time I spent at Vermilionville Living History and Folk Life park – which wasn’t much because is was disgustingly hot and humid).

After dropping off some stuff I drove down for Kels, I made my way through the narrow, one-way streets of New Orleans to my hotel. The Place d’Armes is located in the heart of the French Quarter, just off Jackson Square and two blocks off Bourbon St. It happens to be the same place Cait and I stayed back in 2013. What can I say, once I find a place I like, I like to return.

The hotel is amazing! My room on the 3rd floor is in the oldest building on the property (the hotel is four buildings surrounding a quiet courtyard with a pool, and places to relax). It was originally a school and some people say it’s now haunted. Apparently a young girl as well as the headmaster were killed in a fire long ago and have been spotted around the hotel. I’ve seen nothing.

Yesterday I had a full day to explore. I started with breakfast at Stanley – which is a place that Cait and I discovered last time. Returning after 4 years, I wasn’t disappointed. Banana fosters french toast and hot cocoa with baileys. Breakfast of champions.

Afterward I explored a few shops around the square and then brought my purchases back to the hotel room before setting off for the National WW2 museum. It was 1.3 miles from my hotel and in order to save a $7 uber ride I walked. Heh. Didn’t make that mistake on the way back, that’s for sure.Â

The museum was HUGE and I didn’t see more than half in the few hours I spend there. It was speedy to get in, but I felt it worth the price. I spent extra to see the movie (which was intense as the seats rumbled and everyone jumped with the booms and bangs and other noises of war – I was actually shocked there wasn’t a warning that came with it) and this submarine thing (that was a waste of money).Â

I ubered back toward my hotel and stopped off at a CVS for some bottled water and then hit Cafe du Monde for a snack to bring back to the hotel. I showered and relaxed for a bit before picking another restaurant for a bite to eat and a drink and then headed back to the hotel.

I managed to sleep in this morning and then packed up what I could, bringing some of my shit back to the car so I have less to load up tomorrow. I walked a few blocks to a new place to try for an early lunch. I walked around a bit more and then returned for a shower and to relax in the AC and watch the Sounders (ugh, we lost) before getting ready for the main event.

MY BEST FRIEND GOT MARRIED! 

We’ve been friends for a long time and have walked each other through some tough shit. It makes me so happy to see her so happy. She looked absolutely stunning! I’m so glad I was able to watch her walk down the aisle (albeit in a little bit of rain with some thunder rolling in the distance). Luckily the weather cleared up for the second line parade (google it). My videos didn’t turn out great – turns out it’s hard to wave a handkerchief  and take video and walk at the same time. Who knew?