DAY 5, Biloxi MS to New Orleans LA

Friday July 15, 2022

So Day 5, had breakfast at a Waffle House, checked out of the hotel and arrived at New Orleans around 2:00PM. We planned to spend 2 nights in New Orleans. Until now we had been "Red Roofing" it. Red Roof Hotels have no pet fees and our average per night was between $80 and $110. Generally satisfied with the quality for the price, and most of them have drive up to your door rooms. The disadvantage is the Red Roofs are generally on the outskirts of a city, and for New Orleans we wanted to be right in the center near Bourbon Street and the French Quarter. Most Hotels didn’t allow pets. The ones that did had pet fees of up to $125 per night plus the cost of the room of course. Settled into a Marriott property that only had a $75 per stay pet fee. The Moxy New Orleans is considered by the brand to be a boutique hotel. It is pretty close in to Boubon St and Canal St and we'd be able to walk downtown. It was clean, newish, but the room was sparse. The price was good, considering location. And.... they forgot to add the pet fee in the final bill when we checked out. I told them about it, and they said.....don;t worry about it.

We went out for a daytime walk through Bourbon street, the French Quarter and the Mississippi River Front Park. Had Lunch in the French Qurter in a beutiful restaurant,Armintine on ST. Louis St with views of the street and architecture and dog-friendly despite the goldine alligator. Had an Étouffée and a Red Beans and Rice. Both enjoyable and browsing out the huge window onto the street was relaxing. Food Tidbits:

• Étouffée means “smothered”, and it describes a dish that combines seafood with roux and butter; and onions, green peppers, and celery (the Trinity of Cajun and Creole cooking) into a rich, seafood-filled gravy that is served over rice.
• Red Beans and Rice: In New Orleans, this dish was traditionally made on Mondays, laundry day. This slow-cooked dish combining pork, kidney beans, rice, and spices is a legacy of the African and Caribbean arrivals to the city. Today Red Beans and Rice are still eaten across the city of New Orleans, in homes and in restaurants, on Monday.

Back for the walk towards the Mississippi River. Admired the French Quarter Architecture. The Mighty Mississsipi seems much smaller (less wide) than I expected considering we are near the mouth of the river. Didn't look much bigger than the Delaware River down near the PA-DE border and New Jersey. Maybe deceiving and it makes up in depth for lack of width. Further research necessary!!

In any case, interesting thought that this point, the Mississippi River is carrying water and sediment from 90% of the land we will cross in this trip!

Hung out at the hotel, waiting for the action to pick up on the streets and went out again around 830PM. It was hopping now and bars were full, saw a few acts on the street, tap dancer, magician, small bands. Bourbon Street was dense with people on the streets and the Morfy was scared; carried her on the crowded areas. Honestly, we all weren’t caring much for Bourbon Street. Wandered off to the side streets and towards the French Market Area.

Found Cafe Du Mond. This is the place you always see on travel shows. On TV it is super crowded and superfun serving up Hot Beignets and Cafe Au Lait in New Orleans Historic French Market. Well like many places in mid-2022, COVID had it deserted on our trip. No tables or outdoor seating. However, all was not lost. They stayed in business by selling Beignets TOGO through their back door. We got some hot, took them back to the hotel to enjoy as a bed time snack.

STATES: LA

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