Saturday, April 12, 2014

So it Begins, New Orleans April 2014

Here he is the star of the show starting off our time in NOLA with a bang!  Cute as ever!  For me this was one of the best trips to NOLA ever!  Great family time and time with great friends.  As always the Gleason household was a busy place and never a dull moment! We love it!
These students from WSU and Tulane were at the Gleason's sharing with Steve and Michel all the technology they are developing to assist ALS patients.  Good things like driving a wheelchair with your eyes and much more!
Highlight, highlight.  Sometimes you meet people and feel like you have know them forever.  We met Jeanne and Allen Rivers at the awful Saints/Seahawks game in Seattle. We talked with them for a while the evening we arrived and then the next morning.  We exchanged phone numbers and the story began.  I have a feeling it will be a long story and we will see each other many more times.  We were blessed with a huge box of Mardi Gras items in February!  We told them if we came to New Orleans we would let them know.  We did and here they are after a 3 hour drive!
 Photo time and off we go!
To the French Quarter to get to know each other better.  Jeanne and Allen know all the great spots because they visit NOLA a lot.  They are Saints season ticket holders.  We stayed away from Bourbon Street. This was a Wednesday and it was still busy!
 Always music in New Orleans!
 Who Dat!  Nice shirt Mike, courtesy of Jeanne and Allen!
 A favorite!  Can't remember what it was called but it has rum in it.  I took a picture of Jeanne too with her beverage but it was really blurry.  I actually indulged in a drink too!

 Two men concentrating on something, not sure what!
 I love this picture!!!!!
 This was Allen's favorite!  The clown making balloon animals for kids.  Of course he expected $!
 Little did we know that we would be treated to a ride like this by the Rivers!
 Another great picture.  You are all great smilers!

I had to research the Mardi Gras Indians.  I guess it is very rare to see one of these Mardi Gras Indians out and about.  It takes a year to make these costumes.  You can click the link below to get the story about the Mardi Gras Indians.  Be sure and read past the first paragraph to see how they got started.

History of the Mardi Gras Indians


 Only in New Orleans would there be an impromptu parade, short and sweet.



 Dinner time at Oceana!
 Another great picture.  Can't wait to see y'all again!
 Art everywhere!  This is just a small sample.  Very colorful and unique!
 This is Buster, our lead for our buggy ride!
 Not sure why I have my hand across Mike's face.  Other than that good picture, AGAIN!
Romeo spikes!  See them?  To the left of the light.  If a boy tried to make a fast escape from a girl's home when the parents came home these are what he would be greeted with on his way down the pole.  Only way out without pain was the door!  You can look this up on the Internet too.
Another bit of history... a pirate hung out here, click the link below for details!

 Cool shadow picture if I do say so myself!
 I was paying no attention to the horse, glad he didn't bite my hand off while I smiled for the camera!
 Jose was our tour guide.  This was the best smile will got out of him!
 This smile might be a little better but Allen looks priceless!
 We had such a great time with the Rivers!  Seems like we have been friends for years and I hope we are for sure.  Love you guys, you are such good people! Until we meet again...

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