As I was due in Seattle for a family wedding on 24th October, I chose to arrive via New Orleans and then Vancouver.
I met Jack, my son, in New Orleans for three days. He was on half term from his Duke, his university where he is studying for a master's. We were both keen to sample the music and the food there. We both arrived seperately within an hour of one another. I'd flown via Charlotte where I had, as they are fond of saying there, "de-planed" and legged it to connect to a flight to NO. Jack had gone from Rayleigh via Atlanta having followed suit on the de-planing.
We took a taxi in just after 2130, dropped our bags off at a hotel in the French quarter and settled for a meal and some music nearby.
Sunday was our next day and I had pre-booked a Gospel group at The Blues House for brunch which started at 10am and finished just before noon. I think they made a loss on the food as Jack had three helpings. The group was a knock out. We then strolled to the waterfront and watched the tankers and trawlers before settling in for more music and finally a late lunch at 3pm at Amelie's.
We moved hotels from the Melrose to the Royal French, bang in the middle of the FQ, and after our customary nap went looking for more music. We must have tried half a dozen bars and sat listening to blues, rock, heavy metal and yes, some jazz.
Monday found us at the new World War 2 museum where we experienced a 4D film fronted by Tom Hanks giving a one dimensional view (American) of the war itself. The film experience was worth the entrance fee alone. Our taxi driver was hi on some kind of weed and largely incoherent but eventually we made it to Magazine Street to shop except there was nothing that took our fancy and we settled for a fine lunch at the Flaming Torch. A nap was called for and in the early evening we had supper at Muriel's before settling done to a jazz band at the Royal Sonesta. A few cocktails later and we headed for Bourbon Street and walked down it to savour another eight or so bands.
We were both up early on Tuesday. My flight left for Dallas at 6.30am and Jack's for Charlotte just after 7. At Dallas I changed planes and arrived in downtown Vancouver after 1pm. I spent the next four days with my families there, on Vancouver Island and in Seattle.