Today would be all about exploring NOLA, on foot. Chance of rain all day so got to take an umbrella . . .

On the way out, I saw the maids were cleaning one of the ‘suites’. Just like ours . . but bigger!!!!

ahhhhh . . . don’t park your bike on the street over night. Might end up with just the frame and your lock, come morning!!!!

Met Cleo, left, 14 months old, and Cletus, right, 4 years old. They stay in the house with the AC running most of the day but are moving to CA with their owners in two weeks to the Laguna Beach area. Nice dogs!!!!

First stop today was the Garden District, a mile square area, of old, genteel, grand dame, type of homes . . . all very well restored. Nice shady and quiet area. The literature says don’t worry about taking photos . . . the residents are use to it!

Single family home . . .

Nice iron work . . .

I heard some doggy commotion up ahead, sounded like someone defending their territory and it actually ended up being two pups . . .

. . . sounding off to this visiting Great Dane. The owner said she only weighs 116 pounds . . . but she showed the locals pups there was a new dog in town . . .

. . . by tearing the rear quarter panel off this truck parked nearby!!!!!

Nice balconies . . .

Amazing how the oaks down here do their darnedest to hold their ground . . .

. . . filling every available square inch with roots. Wonder what the New Orleans Urban Forestry staff think of this????

Things are REALLY popping here in NOLA . . .

warm . . .

wet and HUMID!

This was a great little neighborhood bar in the middle of the area . . .

. . . with a friendly feel to the place.

You see a lot of these cruiser type bikes around town. Most are rentals.

. . . and GREAT ironwork on buildings and fences. Wonder if it is original?

Pricey to live in this area. This 8 bedroom place was going for $2.9 million!!!!!

WOW . . .

Nicely preserved . . .

This one bordered on being a little too cutesy . . . there was a fake dog in the doghouse!!!!

Lots of home maintenance and forestry trucks in the area. Continuing maintenance to keep these beautiful homes showing their best sides.

Look at that mass of roots . . .

. . . where possible the city is rerouting sidewalks around the trees. Good news, less compaction!!

Here was where Gustov Eiffel started his engineering career, in New Orleans. He started to build the Eiffel Tower in NOLA, but missed his home in Paris, moved back and the rest is history!!!!

So close . . .

At least this hotel is honest!!!!

There’s a movie being shot downtown. Here were some of the production vehicles . . .

. . . I was most interested in the great smells coming from the catering truck . . . lunch time, any samples???

Great old iron work on Canal Street  . . .

. . . if you don’t feel like walking, this is the best way to get around. $1.25 each way or an unlimited day pass for $3.00!!!!

Some great old signs still hanging around . . .

The waterfront park walk, right on the old Miss . . .

. . . took three tugs to move this barge downstream . . .

. . . musicians and buksters start young in NOLA!!!

The sign said, ‘Old Man River’ . . . lost in translation?????

I finally got to Café du Monde, home of the beignet . . .

. . . dough fried in hot oil and ‘lightly’ sprinkled with powdered sugar . . . what’snot to like!!!!

. . . didn’t take long and they were gone. Great NOLA tradition. May come back here tomorrow!!!

Nice church . . . reminds me of Disneyworld!!!

. . . led me back to Bourbon St on the way to our Inn . . .

. . . great dining opportunities . . .

as well as music listening opportunities’ . . .  At the Legends Music park. Music daily from 10:00am until . . . ????

all along the street . . .

Here was a city bike tour being conducted by the woman in yellow. Probably a great way to see town . . . but we are OFF the bikes for a few days.

Been looking at this building for two days now,  from all angles, and still don’t care for its shape!!!!

Louisiana, the state that oil built. . . and continues to support…

Tonight, some of us are going to Emeril’s Delmonico restaurant . . . can you say BAMMMMM!!!!

7:00pm  . . . Cindy, Greg and I were at Emeril’s ready for a culinary adventure. The plan was to eat early and head down to the French Market, joining Linda and Margie to hear some music. Soon Barb and Tom arrived for dinner too. First course . . . crayfish beignets . . . of course!!!!

Happy diners . . .

Me too with . . . martini, Caesar salad, yummy chicken, sauce, Pinot Grigio and roasted Brussels sprouts.

Barb and Tom arrived late and had to sit at a different table but came over later to visit . . .

For dessert, Cindy had the Baked Alaska . . .

Greg and I both had a piece of layered Salted Caramel Cake with apple buttered crumb compote . . . YUM!

It was after nine by the time we left Emeril’s and everyone was too full for any more fun  . . . so we took a SLOWWWW walk back to our abodes. Tomorrow back to Lafayette and the bikes!!!