Day 7

States visited: still Louisiana

Sites seen: Self guided walking tour through the garden district, Katrina Memorial, Biscuits & Buns on Banks, Hansen’s Sno-Bliz

Our bodies are not really sure what time it is. Our watches say 7:00. Our bodies say 8:00. This meant that we were out for our walking tour of the Garden District bright and early. Which is good…because it is hot here. Really REALLY hot. Or maybe it’s the humidity. I’m glad we did this before 10 a.m.

The first stop on the tour today was actually a little coffee shop in what used to be a skating rink when New Orleans hosted the World’s fair. The second stop was Lafayette Cemetery. This is the oldest of the seven municipal, city-operated cemeteries in New Orleans. We all found it interesting that all of the cemeteries here are vaults above ground as was the French and Spanish custom at the time and then carried on for the practicality of it all.

The girls were surprised by a grave that showed three children buried there. All died of yellow fever. One wasn’t even a day old. They were shocked to hear this was common back then and it led to some strangely open, yet really weird, conversations about what we all want some day when we die.

The Garden District was the first neighborhood for the American prospectors coming to town shortly after the Louisiana Purchase in 1803 and the rest of the tour was a history of the architecture in the area. Some famous people own homes in this district, like Archie Manning (Eli and Peyton Manning grew up here) and Sandra Bullock, and it caused me pause to know I was walking around a neighborhood where people live taking pictures of their homes. It felt a little strange.

Did you know that the confederate states elected their own president? I certainly didn’t. But today we got to see the home where he was brought and then died shortly after.

Josh and I were particularly interested in seeing the Katrina Memorial. The girls had no idea what we were talking about and then were shocked to find out that a hurricane had done that much damage and that so many people had died. This memorial also serves as a gravesite for the unclaimed and unnamed bodies that were found. We found it a fitting tribute.

Something I didn’t know was that when rescuers were searching the homes they would put an X on the house. In the top section they would put how many people they found in the house. The right was the date they searched the property. The left was the initials of the rescuers. And the bottom was the number of people found dead in the home. You can spot these around New Orleans and as soon as I found out about it we drove past one so I made Josh stop so I could take a picture. And of course, as soon as I get out and take this photo, the person living in this house comes out and I felt sort of stupid and rude. But we had a conversation and I felt less bad. You can still see the effects of hurricane Katrina throughout the city- a sobering reminder of the power of nature.

After this, even though it was barely 11:00, we headed to lunch. (Our bodies are confused, remember?) The lady in the bookshop recommended a place near the memorial called Biscuits & Buns on Banks. Growing up, when we would visit my grandmother’s house, she would always fix biscuits and gravy for my father. This place took me right back to her cooking. Everything was so good and we left there with very full and happy bellies!

We came back to the hotel during the heat of the day to do laundry and continue the never-ending task of getting the smell of feet out of everything we own…

Then, at Miss Mattie’s suggestion, we headed back in to Hansen’s Sno Bliz. This business was created in 1939 by Ernest and Mary Hansen. He invented the first ice shaving machine and she created her own syrups. It takes what seems like forever for them to make each one so that the final product is perfect, upholding the Hansen’s motto: “There are no shortcuts to quality.” This was a huge hit and I don’t think I will ever enjoy “regular” snow cones again.

Being in the car with our children for hours and hours has its pluses and minuses. But as many of you with children know, this is often the time when kids feel most at ease and talk to you about things they wouldn’t say to your face. Today was one of those days and created a very comedic moment.

(The girls read the blog every day and this was included with her permission)

Miss A: What is a virgin?

Josh: Someone who hasn’t had sex.

A: …

A: And you guys aren’t virgins.

Us: Nope

A: Ugh. That is so gross.

Me: You asked!

She then proceeds to groan in disgust in the backseat for the next 20-30 seconds 😂

New Orleans has been a lot of fun. It’s old and charming like Boston, but different. It seems sad to me somehow. This is a beautiful city and I’m glad we had the chance to visit it. Tomorrow we make the long drive to San Antonio where the forecasted temperature (Not the feels like) is 100*. Should be fun!

Talk to you soon-

Deanna