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!

French Quarter Festival April 2014

Be sure and scroll to the bottom and listen to some music.

New Orleans at it's finest!! If I have my facts straight this is how the big Jazz Fest started.  We loved this trip to the French Quarter.  So much music, food, art and so many people having fun.  Friendly, friendly people.  Mike and I could have stayed and listened to the music forever but we had a plane to catch!

There were musicians everywhere on the sidewalks playing for tips.  They were all good, very, very good!!!!! Not one group was less than fantastic.  It really gave us a feel for how important music is to the culture of New Orleans.  

When this guy put the wheels on the ground this was a very small car that buzzed up and down the street.  Amazing!

A live statue!  She did not move!  Love it!

Check out the mask on the guy sitting playing the guitar.

Not exactly sure what she was all about but this was another demonstration of the New Orleans culture.  I think on this trip we got a really good feel for that culture and certainly could understand why people love New Orleans.

This is another picture of the Mardi Gras Indian costume.

Art everywhere!!!!

We headed to Jackson Square to check out the food and music there.

We grabbed something to eat and headed back to the streets where you could talk to the musicians up close and personal.  We liked that better!

New hat! Who Dat!!!

Mike would not look at me for this picture.  Whatever he was looking at was more important than the picture.

Lots of people in Jackson Square!  Lots!  Another reason we went back to the streets.

No we did not indulge!

A purple suit!!! Hat and all!  Don't see that in Spokane!

Another band right outside the square!

Loved seeing this.  People would come up in front of the band and just dance a slow, soulful dance.  It was beautiful!

Someone came and grabbed my hand and told me to come sit with the band.  I did of course.  I know why they wanted me to do that.  If you get your picture taken with the band you feel very obligated to give a tip, which we did.  There were many ladies in the same spot after I was there!  Good strategy!  It worked.

Rest time!  Just reading a book!

Even the youngsters were playing!

A close up of the fabulous art!

You must listen to the video below.  This lady was amazing.  That is an understatement! The video gives you a good feel for the music that was at the Festival.

This was one of the many highlights of our trip!  Spending time with Steve, Michel and Rivers was on the top of the list!