New Orleans in February 2021

We went down to New Orleans in February 2021, mostly just to get away. Since most things were closed, we rented a car. We normally just walk, bike, Uber or streetcar our way around town but Uber was pretty limited, the bikeshare program was gone. Because we had a car, we were able to travel to some of the outlying areas that we never really get to see. 

The iconic New Orleans photo in Jackson Square. 

Because of Covid, the parades were cancelled. There were a lot of individuals and organizations that decided to make "porch floats" instead. Many houses were decorated with beads and banners. 

Bourbon St was dead. Here is a photo of Bourbon St on Saturday afternoon. Also, no music along Frenchmen Street. 

Because we had a car, we drove across Lake Pontchartrain and wend on a swamp tour. Can you spot the alligator on the lawn? 

There is a cemetery in Metairie which has a number of beautiful mausoleums and monuments. It also has a famous weeping angel sculpture in one of the mausoleums. 

Since we had a car, we decided to drive all the way down to the end of the world. The last miles were clearly below sea level, with levees on one side to keep back the river, and levees on the other side to keep back the Gulf of Mexico. The land itself was just about 300 yards wide. 

Lots of wildlife down in the southern part of the state. Roseate Spoonbills below. 

Alligator Gar roadkill

Mike took a bike ride over to the 9th ward. There is an abandoned complex that has been redecorated by graffiti artists. 

There is plenty of other street art in the New Orleans area. Here are some of the murals:

Sadly, there was very little street music because of Covid. This one excellent blues band was playing, though. 

We decided to just pull a bench out across the streetcar tracks and have breakfast. 

The art museum in the city park is worth visiting. New Orleans always gives you an opportunity to be below sea level and protected by a levee.