NOLA Part 2

On Sunday, we headed toward the Mississippi River and this is what we encountered.  

Wasn't expecting to see a Holocaust Memorial down by the Mississippi River but there you go. 

My first time at the Mississippi River. 

A church and the Louisiana State Museum to the right. 

Monument to the immigrant.

Lunch of fried fish which I promptly dropped in my lap and got my new pants all greasy. 

Pooch Parade. Michael found this dog parade in a park. 

We didn't stay for the 'official' parade, we just sat on this park bench and watched all the doggies dressed up go by. It was fun. 

Night time parade on Canal Street. It is always challenging getting around the city during a parade.

The aftermath. We stayed and watched the cleanup crew which is a well oiled machine. 

 I have amassed a few bead necklaces without even trying. I think I will share them at work.

NOLA

We booked a short vacation to a city we had not been to before, New Orleans. We thought we were going early enough to avoid the Mardi Gras crowd but we were wrong. Mardi Gras parades and festivities are in full swing. 

On arrival day the weather was unseasonably cold but the sun was shining and no rain so a win. We are staying at the Eliza Jane, a converted warehouse, it has a lot of old world charm. We had a very southern dinner at Palm & Pine of pork shoulder, broccoli cheddar spoonbread, and cane syrup pie with preserved lemon ice cream. It was comforting food especially since it was cold outside. 

Saturday we headed to the Louisiana State Museum. It had two exhibits: Living with Hurricanes: Katrina & Beyond and Mardi Gras: It's Carnival Time in Louisiana. The hurricane portion was very sobering but educational. The Mardi Gras exhibit was definitely from the white privilege point of view. 

We embraced another southern meal for lunch at the Gumbo Shop in which we ate, you guessed it, gumbo. We also ate red beans and rice and Michael talked me into dessert of pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. It was a very good meal in a charming location. 

Statue of Andrew Jackson

Louisiana State Museum

Our first Mardi Gras parade. We enjoyed the spectacle of it all. 

Work Christmas Party

I celebrated the holidays with work mates. We all received these new jackets plus other goodies, a gift exchange and yummy dinner. 

All of the consultants ended up with a stocking with their name on it on Carol's door. Merry Christmas. 

Kaua'i Part 3

Another day in paradise. Today we headed west into the mountains to Waimea Canyon State Park. Michael called it Dramamine day. We took the slow winding road up the mountain and the fast steep way down. Michael said it was his first time driving on the crest of a mountain. The weather cooperated and no rain or clouds. 

First stop Waimea Canyon Lookout. Elevation 3400 feet. Waimea is called a canyon of many colors.

Michael thought this was funny, a phone booth. Who carries change anymore? But it was rather important because there is no cell service on the mountain.

Next stop Na Pali Kona. This part of the canyon we can see the ocean. Pu'u O Kila, the hill of Chief Kila.

Third stop Kalalau lookout. Kalalau Valley along the Napali Coastline. Elevation about 5000 feet. 

I thought this was an interesting tree. 

Back down at sea level, adding to my list of library photos. The sign said it was open but it wasn't, par for the course on Hawaii. 

Our fair-weather friend by the pool. 

Lilikoi passion fruit is our new food for this trip. We have had scones made with it (our favorite), Michael made these pancakes this morning for breakfast (we have a kitchenette) and I bought some shortbread cookies for when we get home. 

Kauai Part 2

 Sunday was excursion day, we headed North to the rainy side of the island. Going through the tunnel of trees is my favorite part of the island. 

First stop Opaekaa Falls. 

Maunakapu and Wailua River.

Next was Keahua Arboretum. 

Rainbow eucalyptus, the bark peels away to reveal a rainbow of colors. 

More chickens. Sitting under the cars does not seem like a good idea but hey to each his own. 

Maniniholo dry cave. No bats. This was our end point for the day and we drove back to our resort which was about an hour and a half. 

Our dinner companion. I dubbed these bandits the 'mall chickens'. 

Kaua'i

This is our first vacation since 2019, a belated 20th Anniversary trip. Kaua'i is the oldest of the eight main Hawaiian Islands. I have never been to this island but Michael has many moons ago. We are staying at Koloa Landing Resort in Poipu. 

Arrival day. The flower leis never get old for me. 

What is it with all the chickens? An unexpected sight indeed. There are chickens everywhere and I mean EVERYWHERE. It is funny to be by the beach and hear crowing. Cock-a-doodle-do.

Who doesn't love a Minion made of old tires. I thought this was funny. 

Second day we went out for a walk in the morning. These white birds seem to be plentiful and they walk on plants. 

A Monk seal sleeping on the beach. This one seems completely unaware of human presence. They are an endangered species and there were barricades to keep humans at bay. 

Michael enjoyed this sign, it was displayed in the food truck that we bought our lunch meal. It pretty much sums up the service on the island especially food.