New Orleans with Bud and Deb and the Chitwoods

Made it into New Orleans around 4:00 p.m. April 12th. As soon as we exited the car we could smell the wonderful fragrance of Night Jasmine.  What a wonderful scent!  That's one of the things I love about New Orleans in the springtime - there are so many wonderful fragrances in the air when the trees and flowers are in bloom.

Bud and Deb were already at the RV Park, so all Bill and I had to do was unload our things into the motor home.  Jim and Debbie came by a little later and we all headed out to dinner at Mandina's - a wonderful old spot frequented by the locals and one that Bill and I have enjoyed going to for 20 years.

Debbie, Deb and me in Mandina's with our waiter Perry

After dinner we rode down to the French Quarter, which was unusually quiet. Most of the times we've been here the place has been raucos.  Not so, tonight.  Very quiet.  We walked around Jackson Square and over to Cafe du Monde - one of  our all time favorite spots in New Orleans - for beignets and cafe au lait.

Late night snack at Cafe du Monde - New Orleans LA

The next day we met at Galatoire's for lunch.  Galatoire's is an old New Orleans restaurant with wonderful food and service, always a highlight of any trip to New Orleans.

Lunch at Galatoire's

After lunch we toured the Quarter and did some shopping.  We  went inside the St Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square, which is absolutely beautiful.

Saint Louis Cathedral - New Orleans LA

Quiet time in Jackson Square - New Orleans LA
Homeless man sleeping on the grass inside the Park

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Artist in Jackson Square - New Orleans LA

Nicholas Cage's new movie, "Medallion," was being filmed while we were there.  We just happened to be in the area where one of the sets was and were able to watch some of the filming. 

Scene being shot for the movie "Medallion"

Dinner tonight was at Snug Harbor - first time there - learned it's a favorite spot of the locals.  After dinner we checked out Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, took pictures of Christ Cathedral and ended the eveing up at Orleans Grapevine Wine Bar and Bistro for drinks before heading back to the RV.

Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop

Christ Cathedral at night - New Orleans LA

Thursday morning we toured the area that was hardest hit by hurricane Katrina.  A lot of progress has been made in the clean-up effort over the past few years, but there's still a ways to go.  Many of the homes have been demolished - some have been repaired and/or rebuilt, but there are still quite a few that have either been boarded up or condemned.

Lunch was at Cafe Degas - my absolute favorite restaurant in New Orleans - named after the 19th century French Impressionist, Hilaire Germain Edgar Degas, who visited New Orleans in 1872.  The food is excellent, and...the ambience great, with a tree growing right up through the restaurant!

Debbie entering Cafe degas

Lunch at Cafe Degas - New Orleans

The afternoon was spent touring the Metairie Cemetery - the tombs and mausoleums are absolutely beautiful with their marble, leaded glass, stained glass, statues and unique architecture.

One of the beautiful statues in Metairie Cemetery - notice the tears in the dog's eyes

One of my favorite statues in the Metairie Cemetery - New Orleans LA

An example of the beautiful stained glass -
Metairie Cemetery - New Orleans LA

After touring the Cemetery, we stopped off at O'Henry's for a "foo-foo" drink and met a nice gentleman, Llewellyn Soniat, who is a member of the Zulu Krewe.  He gave Debbie and me necklaces or "throws" from the Zulu Krewe, which are the most sought after "throws" during Mardi Gras.

Debbie and me with Mr. Soniat - member of the Zulu Krewe - New Orleans

We spent some time this afternoon at the La Bayou Restaurant and Pat O'Brien's before heading out for Mosca's in Avondale LA for dinner.

Bud and Deb left early the next morning heading to Texas.  Jim, Debbie, and I had beignets and coffee again at Cafe du Monde, then we met Bill and the four of us headed out for TX "Hill Country."

For anyone who has never been to New Orleans the best way I can describe it is that it's the nearest thing to being out of the U.S. without leaving the country.  It's a unique city and one I dearly love.  I would recommend a visit there to anyone.

                  

Panama City Beach FL with the Chitwoods

We met Jim and Debbie at the Sunrise Beach Resort on Saturday, April 9th.  A fog had rolled in so we couldn't see the beautiful view from the balcony of the condo even though we were on the 25th floor. Naturally we were up early the next morning to see the view.

View1 from the condo balcony

Parasailing - Panama City Beach FL

View2 from the condo balcony

Bill and me on the balcony of the condo - Panama City Beach FL

 First on the agenda was Dusty's Oyster Bar for lunch - excellent food and great service!  Then it was down to Tootsie's where Billy Arnold was performing solo.  He was entertaining and so interactive with us that we stayed there most of the afternoon.  Dinner was at the Saltwater Grill. which is a wonderful restaurant, then back to Tootsie's where Billy was performing with a back-up band. Fun way to spend a day and evening.

Billy Arnold performing at Tootsie's - Panama City Beach FL

Monday was spent getting a few of the sun's rays out by the pool.  I haven't done that in so long that I had forgotten how great it is to just relax while taking in the smells of the Gulf, mixed with the fragrance of sunscreen, and to listen to the waves crashing in.  After a couple of hours by the pool, we took Jim and Debbie's convertible down to Destin.  It was great having the top down and feeling the balmy breeze off the Gulf.

Debbie and me by the pool

We stopped by McGuire's Irish Pub for lunch and ended up spending 2-3 hours there.  Such friendly people and such an eclectic place!  Then we decided we all enjoyed Dusty's so much we would head back there for dinner.  We were not disappointed!  Again great food and service!

Bill and me in  McGuire's Irish Pub - DestinFL

Jim, Debbie & their new  "friend" - McGuire's Irish Pub - Destin FL

McGuire's Irish Pub - Destin FL

Dinner at Dusty's Oyster Bar & Eatery - Panama City Beach FL

Debbie and I me making a new "friend," Dusty's Oyster Bar & Eatery - Panama City Beach FL

I'm really glad we got to see a little of Panama City Beach.  It's really a neat area.  It was the first time Bill and I had spent any time there.  We thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely do it again.  Add to that...sharing the experience with good friends...unbeatable!

Sunset in Panama City Beach