New Orleans Visit April 2026

This was a quick trip to New Orleans.  We started out on Friday at the French Quarter Festival. Mike and 

I had been to this event years ago.  We walked the streets of the French Quarter and listened to so many local musicians.  It was so so good.  This time we were heading to Jackson Square to listen to the bands.  

New Orleans is very unique.  The French Quarter Festival is a free event that lasts a few days. 

Mike wanted a picture with the horse. 

Here we are!

Steve wanted some pictures of us together.  Kyle was the photographer.  

After some visiting with people that wanted to see Steve we landed near the stage to listen to this band.  Dixieland Jazz!!! 

Lawrence Cotton stole the show.  He had to be escorted on stage in a wheel chair. Then he was lifted up and was seated on the piano stool.  

Lawrence had a birthday on this day.  He turned 99 years old.  He plays the piano in this band.  So, so good!  It was just amazing seeing him hit all the keys just right.  

Here he is playing away like he is 20 years old!

It was Lawrence's  birthday and there was a cake for him.  We all sang happy birthday to Lawrence.  

Across the street from Jackson Square was this performer.  Balancing on balls and doing tricks.  

There were people everywhere!  Jackson Square is the main attraction but there are performers all through the French Quarter.  

The Mississippi River. 

Like I said, people everywhere. This is just the tip of the iceberg. 

There was even music coming from musicians on the balconies. 

Changing gears.  Gray had a soccer game on Saturday.  People say that cell phone pictures take great pictures and they do at times.  I didn't bring my camera so these pictures aren't great but they will have to do. 

This trip was so close to the Bloomsday event that I do every year. I needed to get a walk or two in while I was in NOLA.  My goal was to get two 5 mile walks in but I only got one in.  This is the bayou I walked along. 

Yes, there are alligators in this bayou. I was told you can see them floating near the top on the water.  I didn't see any but I also wasn't looking. 

Very unique ducks but no alligators so far. 

Up over a bridge and this was the only hill work I got.  It was nothing like the Bloomsday hills. 

This looks like an easy spot for an alligator to leave the water. 

Cool looking duck!

I heard a rooster crow.  My first thought as someone was imitating a rooster.  NOPE.  There he is. 

We went to the best high school play I had ever seen.  It was a remake of Grease.  We guessed over 75 students participated in the play and it was so so good.  Dancing, singing, accents and backdrops were all skillfully coordinated.  I have seen a Broadway play and this was a close second.  Seriously, it was.  Steve wanted a picture with the cast afterward.  There were more cast members but they didn't all fit in the picture. 

The T-Birds. I am missing one!  So good.  That is an understatement. 

Another time cell phones aren't the same as a camera.  Rivers is number 37 of course. 

It was fun watching Rivers play.  This was his second soccer game of the day and he was worn out after this. 

Mike cooked hamburgers one night.  We were all curious how he would get this huge burger in his mouth.  

He did it.  I had no doubt because I had seen him do it before. 

Time to say goodbye for now.  

See you all this summer in Idaho.  This was a really fun visit and it went so fast.  We are looking forward to seeing all the Gleason's this summer.  Love you all!