A B-17 Flying Fortress is suspended in time and space at the National World War II Museum.
St. Roch’s chapel is surrounded by weathered above-ground tombs. A side room in the chapel is filled with discarded medical equipment left by people after prayers were answered.We had several birthdays and a retirement in the neighborhood, so we took a road trip to New Orleans to celebrate with two other couples.
New Orleans is an easy eight-hour drive (all interstate) from Chattanooga through the heart of the Old South. When one considers the time and hassle to get to a large airport, pass through security, wait on a flight, get a car rental and get to your hotel, eight hours is not unreasonable and a lot less expensive than flying.
We stayed near the airport, only 15 minutes from the French Quarter, and it worked out great. A decent hotel inside the French Quarter costs more than $200 per night, but ours was around $100. We found parking in the French Quarter reasonable and close, but there wasn’t a big event like Mardi Gras or the Jazz Festival. It can get very busy at those times.
New Orleans, and particularly the French Quarter, is known for its cuisine, and we had some of the best, eating at both chef Emeril’s Delmonico and at Arnaud’s.
At Delmonico, the setting, service, food and wine were among the best any of us had experienced. Waiters are locals with their own New Orleans flair: “What you gonna have, boss?” Several in our group had the Moulard duck breast, a house specialty. Those who ordered it quacked loudly to us lesser mortals who chose aged steak or fresh Gulf seafood that their choice was by far the “correct” one. However, none of us complained as we rolled out.