Week 172 - New Orleans French Quarter Photo Collection - 11-29-2009

Welcome to New Orleans,

No, we haven't moved from Atascadero. So, with little new to entertain you, we present our New Orleans French Quarter Photo Collection. And we toss in a few photos from the Garden District which is a few miles from the French Quarter.

The French Quarter is part of New Orleans (locally pronounced as the single word, Nar-lands). The city of New Orleans (NO) is located in the Mississippi River Delta, where the river empties into the Gulf of Mexico. This area is low in elevation and historically floods from time to time. Much of city was built on land created by bringing in soil to raise the elevation. Over the years the land has been sinking. Currently 49% of NO is lower than sea level. Some areas are as much as 10 feet below sea level. A series of levees have been created to keep the water out of the city. These are the levees that broke during Hurricane Katrina and flooded parts of the city.

As most know, the French Quarter (FQ) is the home of the Mardi Gras. But the party atmosphere goes on year round. The 78 block area is loaded with tourist shops, restaurants, bar and hotels. The streets are very narrow and the buildings are very ornate with much wrought iron handrails and supports.

There is a abundance of hanging and climbing plants throughout.

1) Cafe Du Monde is among the most famous of establishments. 2) This lady is just slightly taller than Ellen!

The main form of transportation in FQ is walking. Most streets are too narrow to both park and have two lanes of traffic. It is no place for a motorhome!

We have passed hundreds of huge Harley shops across the nation. Not so here, but a small shop that fits into the FQ architecture.

Bikers enjoy this area and are very practical for the narrow streets.

Some of the very interesting signs.

Another famous FQ locale is Pat O'Brians with indoor and garden seating.

Ellen getting her garb for Mardi Gras.

Music is everywhere, with dozens of venues daily. Street performers are prevalent.

Most have heard of Bourbon Street, one of the original streets that runs the length of FQ. The French moved their capital from Biloxi to FQ in 1723. The French Quarter then was the majority of NO. Now it is a small but well preserved part of the city.

A contrast of the street performers just a few hundred feet from the ritzier part of town.

Just outside FQ are large hotels, casinos and the Mississippi Riverwalk.

A tradition still going strong are the riverboats.

We took advantage of a free boat cruise across the Mississippi and got these photos from the boat. It is hard to tell where the boat stops and the buildings start.

1) A look at downtown NO from the boat. 2) This carload of real Humvees was moving right past the FQ.

NO's Garden District is home to hundreds of fabulous homes.

While the homes are mostly well kept, the sidewalks are rarely level as the soil is soft and the buckled walks look like the frost-heaved roads of Alaska!

Again, thanks for coming along. We'll be home a few more weeks and bringing more photo collections to you.

Love, Pete and Ellen

Photos from Apr 2007