Moira: September 2008

Exodus New Orleans...

Well as it would have Mayor Nagin's plan was to close N.O. Airport by 6:00 PM the day we were flying out. After spending a great deal of time watching televised news conferences & walking the deserted sunny Warehouse streets we devised our plan of exit. We were all going to go to bed by 10:00 PM get up at 2:00 AM Sunday drive to the Thrifty Car rental drop off the rental car pile all of our stuff into Grandpa & Grandma 4 door and have them drop the three of us off at the airport and they would go to drive to Monroe with al of the other people funneling northbound to avoid Gustav. The people at the Marroitt Residence Inn were kind enough to run their hotel until 3 or 4 AM Sunday before closing. The drive to the airport wasn't so bad. It did clog up 2 exits before the airport, but the hard part was yet to come. Hurry up and wait. We had to show proof of a ticketed seat to be allowed in to the airport. They had National Guardsmen stationed at all ways into MYS. Once in we were greeted by armed Air Marshall who were handing MRE's and water because there were no services there. We waited at the airport for our flight until 9:30 AM which was about 5 1/2 hours then we were off! Wow what a vacation! I wonder what we will do next year to top it!

Saturday before the evacuation!

The day before our flight, Mayor Ray Nagin had called for a mandatory evacuation. All we could is sit tight because there was no other available flights. We drove uptown in search of food at the local Whole Foods. They were having a 2 for 1 perishable sale. It was crazy. Places were boarded up and streets were empty.

Aquarium Fun

So we arrived in New Orleans on Wednesday August 27th and checking to the hotel and managed to get dinner in and then off to sleep. Thursday we spent wandering around the French Quarter, shopping at the French Market & eating at the Napoleon House. At night we went to Elizabeth's in Bywater with Anne's friend Amy who charmed us all. As Gustav was approaching our choices for activities were starting to dwindle. Amy suggested calling to see if the Aquarium of the Americas was open and to go there or the Insectarium. We headed off to the Aquarium and we thoroughly enjoyed it! We saw so much!. The favorite was the stingray petting tank. So soft & smooth yet eerie at the same time.

Anne's Old Stomping Grounds

We managed to squeek in a few activities before the city began it's evacuation process. The Napoleon House was one not to be missed. Anne used to work there 20 years prior (yes that made me feel really old!), You have got to love the history. Owned by Mayor Girod, the Napoleon House gets it's name from the annex Girod added to house Napoleon from exile. They also have the best Muffaletta sandwiches in town.

Part 2 The New Orleans Leg

After spending five days at Chez Schlatter. David & Jane in their car & The Gaede's in their rental car we began a caravan to New Orleans. After pulling into a rest stop in Natchez Mississippi Chris pointed out on his iphone the latest headlines mentioned a hurricane was en-route to New Orleanas. Only slightly concerned we pressed on. Especially since our flight was out of there. Little did we know what the next days were going to be like.

Post Haircut Fun!

It is all about carousels & fountains! She can't get enough. Although the indoor carousel in the Pecanland Mall was a lot faster and two stories compared to the one Moira goes to in Golden Gate Park.