New Orleans

We approached The Big Easy from the east through the bayou's and over the bridges, all under repair. Katrina's destruction was clearly evident along the way. Forests of trees with no tops, broken by the winds. Outside the city the huge Six Flags Amusement Park had been abandoned, roller coasters still standing, but never to run again. As we entered the city there were huge piles of scrap. Some neighborhoods seemed whole, but every here and there an abandoned building. And then there were neighborhoods where the levies hadn't held. They looked like Nagasaki...

We exited I10 onto Cross Street and down to the French Quarter where we parked the van and walked the length of Bourbon Street and back on Royal. 2 hours was more than enough for us. When Connie approached a mini skirted black woman sashaying in the middle of an intersection for directions, she responded politely in a deep male voice. Connie was stunned. I laughed all the way back to the van.

Off to Baton Rouge, one time home of my old friend, Rudy Wright, now gone. As he used to say, " Time to piss on the fire and call off the dogs." Long day...