Rick enjoying the drive to New Orleans in our small, highly maneuverable convertible.
(Rick has his hat “synched down” to make sure it didn’t fly off.)
A spontaneous self photo of Rick and Lisa in the convertible.
Scenery looking south of the Interstate. Miles and miles of waterways, greenery sprinkled with a cabin or two.
A water way.
The view from Rick’s perspective. The elevated highway in both directions.
Almost to New Orleans the vegetation changed to trees without many leaves.
The highway interchange just north and east of New Orleans.
It is a “modern marvel” that this road system stands up to the hurricanes and heavy storms.
An interesting neighborhood just outside the French Quarter.
Driving to the French Quarter. Love the architecture.
Lisa enjoying a chocolate treat for dessert.
Rick resting after lunch eaten at an outdoor garden in a very old New Orleans restaurant.
The French Quarter and a performer. The man balanced on the ladder with a board on his arm.
We were very impressed until he started complaining to the crowds that they were not tipping him enough! It sort of lost the ambiance for me.
Rick in front of a shop in the French Quarter.
Our first glance into the 9th ward.
The rescue markings are still very visible. Many of them including dates 10 days to 2 weeks after Katrina.
The neighborhood associations are trying to override the depressing tone.
A school that was closed down and not reopened.
A portable generator still running the neighborhood TWO years after the hurricane
House after house in disrepair.
Another street.
A street with trailers in the front yards of some of the houses. The other houses were uninhabited.
Another street in the 9th ward.
One of the many piles of debris that we saw. Once again, TWO years later.
Another street of unlivable houses. Where did the people go?
Heading east into the Saint Bernard’s parish.
A field full of FEMA trailers housing hundreds of families.
A housing subdivision with FEMA trailers in most of the front yards.
A bank boarded up and not operational.
More businesses out of business.
A shopping center devastated by the hurricane still closed.
You can see how the view of the environment effected me as you see my expression in the side mirror.
More piles of rubble left behind.