Here's a fun shot from our flight into New Orleans - our plane was between the sun and the building clouds so you could see our shadow moving across the cloud bank.
We arrived on Friday morning and had a great time milling around the French Quarter. Heard some good bands and had great food. Saturday morning we were up and ready to run. Here we are with over 21,000+ other running enthusiasts waiting along Decatur for the race to start.
And this is what it looked like on the ground ...
The race lines up in front of Cafe DuMonde in the French Quarter - then out to N. Peters, up Poydras - past Mother's - to Rampart and then out Esplanade to City Park, where the course makes a series of irritating loops and circles to complete the course.
Let me tell you, the "run hard" part of their tag line refers to 6.2 in the searing heat and 100% humidity. Unlike Austin, the Crescent City Classic is a flat course, but the first 3 miles are nothing but pavement and sunshine - punishing conditions until part-way down Esplanade where you enter a wonderful, tree-lined section of the city. Nearing City Park, you run out of trees and the last 1.5 miles are back in full sun. Run hard, indeed.
We survived the race and after catching a bus back to the French Quarter, walked straight to Mother's for a Ferdie Special. I will admit to almost passing out while waiting in line for over 30 minutes to get in - heat, dehydration and low blood sugar aren't a good combination, but I was revived after a few sips of REAL Coke and my Ferdie!
Although we did hit the Famous Door late afternoon for a beer, music and people watching, we were pretty tame Saturday night. Sunday morning we walked the Quarter and celebrated Easter New Orleans style. Although there are a lot of things you wouldn't want a photo of in the French Quarter on a Sunday morning, there are also a lot of beautiful images to capture.
It seems like an odd combination of decadence and religion, but Easter is a really big deal in New Orleans and there is a fun parade with horse drawn carriages carrying men in sear-sucker suits and women in their "Sunday best" - sporting spectacular hats.
These horses/mules area always sweet - you have to hope that they're well taken care of ...
Parade participants
Another hard working carriage mule
Of course, the place to be for Easter Sunday service is the St. Louis Cathedral at Jackson Square.
A wonderful shot of Jackson Square from the landing out near the river
The mighty Mississippi
Our hotel had a lovely courtyard/patio
Beautiful balconies - covered with plants - all along Royal Street ...
An Easter wreath hanging on a front door
Mardi Gras celebrations still present
It was a fun trip and I shot a few pics of the Mississippi as we became airborne and headed to Houston.
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