New Orleans road trip - Day 11 - New Orleans

Aimee and I went into New Orleans on the shuttle leaving Greg to watch Nascar at the trailer. Straight onto the Hop on Hop off bus and into the garden district for the second of the 2 walking tours that we got with the 3 day pass.

Our guide walked us through the neighborhood showing us examples of the different architectural styles.

The area came about as a plantation was gradually sold off and originally the lots were huge with expansive gardens (thus the name)

But as the area sold out, the people started to sell off sections of their gardens for others to build homes

so all the styles, in favor at different times, are intermingled and the gardens are much smaller.

Many of them still had the stepping stone at the gate to step into a carriage.

These are old houses, mostly wood, in a hot and humid environment so take constant upkeep.

Not simple upkeep either

some OTT ornamentation.

Gardens tended to consist of trimmed hedges, walkways, fountains and flowering shrubs.

This cat is not impressed with the Thanksgiving decor; taking up his sleeping space. We got back on the HOHO bus

Aimee and I had planned on going to Mardi Gras World and seeing how the floats were made but decided that the entrance cost was too high and settled for

a couple of photos as the bus drove past.

A simple shotgun house, just one window and one door wide.

A couple of double shotguns. When the shotgun house is 2 stories at the back it is called a camel back.

We were hungry so got off the bus at Armstrong Park for the Gumbo Festival

There were some artisans booths but

mostly it was about the music and the food. We shared the dishes, trying to pace ourselves and try a lot of different things. Had shrimp and grits (our fav), jambalaya, sweet potato pie, crawfish mac and cheese and yakamein.

We ate the last two while sitting at the base of the Louis Armstrong statue.

We walked back to the river

enjoying the quiet, residential

section of the French Quarter.

Past Preservation Hall, where we had listened to jazz the previous night. Yes it is that unassuming.

Back into the commercial area of the French Quarter we went into a few art galleries

and also into this shop

where the proprietor described how he cut the leather,

wet it and let it dry over a mold

to make this wearable

art!

We caught the shuttle back after watching a huge cruise boat leave the port and head downstream.