Rain, Rain….

Yesterday it rained. I can't think of a better way to say it. Thunder, lightning, wind and rain were the order of the day. At 10 am, New Orleans had received 4.33" of rain just over night! And rain continued off and on all day. Except for a trip into Cafe du Monde for a cup of Cafe au lait and a plate of beignets. The coffee is blended with chicory (a result of a coffee shortage during the Civil War), and which adds a chocolate flavor to the drink. The Acadians brought coffee with them from Nova Scotia in the 1700's along with other French customs including beignets, a square piece of dough, fried, and covered thickly with powdered sugar. Beignets are the only food item on the menu of the Cafe du Monde, as they are committed to "keeping things the way they've always been".

Cafe du Monde has been in business since 1862 in the same location. The building, originally built by the Spanish in 1791 and called "The Butchers Hall" was damaged in 1812 by a hurricane. Rebuilt in 1813, it continues to serve locals and tourists alike just like they've been doing for years! They now have an online presence and eight satellite locations. The original location was not heavily damaged during hurricane Katrina, but the owners took the opportunity to refurbish the eating and kitchen areas. Six weeks after Katrina, the cafe opened to nationwide press as an indication that New Orleans was on the way back.

Today the weather was a bit better. Rain and lightning over night gave way to partly cloudy skies at midmorning, so a walk along the Mississippi River seemed to be a great way to enjoy the warm weather.

The paddle wheeler Natchez is docked along the Riverwalk, and is available for tours of the river.

The Mississippi is also a highway for ocean going ships. We caught a glimpse of this bad boy motoring along at quite a fast pace. I guess they know what they're doing! This particular ship appeared to be an ore-carrier from the Great Lakes, but more likely was carrying grain or chemicals.

After watching film-flam artists work the dock, we headed off for lunch. By the way, the scam o' the day seemed to be a promise to tell a person where they "got their shoes". After a fast talking and very involved intro, the victim learned that they "got their shoes on their feet", and that will be $20, please. Don't laugh! It was so entertaining to watch that the twenties were flying out like machine gun bullets!

On Arabella St, the restaurant Frankie and Johnny's had been recommended to us. This local eatery was opened in 1942 by Johnny Moreale and his brother in law Frankie Gaudin. They were successful feeding dock workers and merchant men who made a living on the waterfront. Johnny's warm personality became the hallmark of the restaurant, and the atmosphere continues today, with friendly "service with a smile".

We sampled Red Beans and Rice with Sausage, and a cup of seafood gumbo and a half Po Boy sandwich.

Across the street from Frankie and Johnny's is a beautifully restored "shotgun" house. We ate outside on the covered patio and admired the home.

Our taste of some of New Orleans' old homes caused us to want to take a side trip down St Charles St. This area is home to an iconic streetcar system and some of the most beautiful homes in the city.

Since traffic on the narrow street was congested, we were unable to stop and really enjoy the sights. Parking was almost nonexistent, and street construction complicated the situation. We had to content ourselves with a great many "ohhhs", and "ahhhs", as we passed by!

This has been the last full day in New Orleans for us this trip. While the city is packed with things to do and see, it is also a monumental tourist trap. Congested highways and one-way streets, along with expensive and minimal parking, lead to a stressful experience. Add in several inches of rain, and we're kinda happy to be movin' on!