Saturday, October 29, 2011

A Walk in the Garden

We started off our Saturday in New Orleans with breakfast at Cafe Beignet at Music Legends Park. It's always the right time for a beignet in NOLA.

The music legend on the right is Pete Fountain. Ted and I both immediately told the story of our trip to California when Pete Fountain was on the train with us. We were only 5 and 7 at the time, but we both remember meeting him. We thought it fitting to pose with him after breakfast.

We then headed over to Canal Street to take a streetcar ride on the beautiful St. Charles Avenue to the Garden District. We printed a walking tour guide, and took a little tour on our own. We started at the Garden District Book Shop, which is in a property known as the Rink, since it was originally opened as the Crescent City Skating Rink. The book store is the favorite of Anne Rice, well known author and New Orleans native, who usually holds her first book signing there when a new book is released. The Rink also houses a coffee shop, and a great little children's shop. One of my favorites.

Across the street from the Rink is Colonel Short's Villa. It was built by architect Henry Howard for Kentucky Colonel Robert Short. The cornstalk fence was built for his wife, who missed the cornfields of her native Indiana Iowa. It reminded Jim of home too.

This home is now owned by the Women's Opera Guild. They were getting ready for an event of some sort, and had a tent in the yard with beautiful floral arrangements on the tables. There was not a soul around when we walked past, but I stopped to take a photo of the entry way florals and the lanterns lining the walkway.

This is the childhood home of our favorite injured quarterback who plays for the blue team.

We didn't see anyone while we were there, but we thought Peyton might have stopped in to see Archie and Olivia. While he was in town for the game you know.

Halloween decorations were out in abundance. The Garden District is home to many celebrities, including author Anne Rice, Sandra Bullock, John Goodman, Nicholas Cage, and of course, the Mannings. It is a great place to take a walk on a beautiful day.

This is the house from the film, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. It is an interesting film, especially if you have visited New Orleans. It is a beautiful home, owned for many years by the Nolan family. You can read more about the home here.

Back on Canal Street, we enjoyed the view of the palm trees and streetcars.

We decided on an early dinner at Acme Oysters, one of the well-known oyster houses in New Orleans.

I'm not really interested in raw oysters, but these char-grilled beauties are delicious. Hot off the grill. Just ask Ted about that.

We did a little shopping in the French Quarter after dinner, and saw this jazz wedding procession on Royal Street.

The bride and groom lead their wedding party and guests in a jazz filled celebratory parade. Throwing beads along the way.

This balcony is all decked out for Halloween. There were bubbles, there was smoke, and the woman was throwing candy to passersby. A bachelorette party group was on the receiving end of several treats.

Elsewhere in the Quarter, a sports memorabilia shop had this display in the window. In honor of the upcoming game. I'll take the gold team.

Sportsman of the Year: Drew Brees.

We did not go in this store. That's probably a good thing. I'm sure I would have found something for the basement. :)

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