Harvey Rides Again – Thursday, Day 6

New Orleans adventure

We had a leisurely morning and then headed to New Orleans on Little Jo around 9:00. Of course you’re wondering how in the world we have actually been riding our cycle since the key failed to make the trip. Harriett, Bruce’s mom, was kind enough to mail it to us at Bob & Eveyln’s house so it is once again reunited with Little Jo.

Caroline called us right before we left and told us about this website she and Chris (her boyfriend) had found called Earthcam.com. Apparently they have cameras in various places throughout the earth, including one on the corner of St Peter & Bourbon St in New Orleans. Which happens to be the corner where Preservation Hall is, which is where we were heading. So when we got close, we face-timed Caroline & Chris which was really fun. They could see & hear us live on their tv. And through face-time, we could see & hear ourselves live on their computer as well. Technology! Also maybe a little bit creepy since we wouldn’t have known that we were being broadcast unless they had told us. But honestly, more cool than creepy.

Preservation Hall was closed and locked up so we just peeked in through the windows and planned to come back later. As we were heading to Cafe Dumonde, Bruce noticed something funny and thought we might have a flat tire. We were going over these bumpy strips in the road and I assured him that it was just that. But no. We pulled over and did indeed have a flat tire. Rats! It was the back tire which would be alot harder to get to. What to do? Bruce thought he might be able to do a temporary fix with a bike pump. We asked a few of the guys who ride those bike cart taxi things but none of them had a pump. We were just across the street from Cafe Dumonde, so we decided to call AAA and enjoy a beignet while we waited. We found a good pole to lock the cycle to and got in line to order. We didn’t know how big beignets were so when we saw that they came in a bag of 3, we thought maybe they were more like donut holes. We asked the server if they were small and we should each get our own bag or share a bag. She said definitely get our own. Well, she must have a big appetite because these were big! We each ate 2 but probably should have only had one. Bruce also got a black coffee and I got an iced cafe au lait. As we munched our sugary delights, we decided that instead of calling AAA we could just get a ride back to the RV park and drive Harvey back to pick up the cycle. And if we were going to do that, we may as well enjoy New Orleans first and come back later.

I also need to mention how God protected us yet again. On the way to New Orleans we drove through some sketchy areas and drove on some highways, including a big bridge over the river and another big bridge over the railroad tracks, that we were a little nervous about the cycle making it over. If we would have flatted in any of those places it could have been really bad. But instead, we flatted in the French Quarter, going about 10 mph, right across the street from our destination, with a place to sit and a secure place to lock up the cycle.

We walked around Jackson Square and took a pic with the statue in case it’s on the list of southern statues to come down. We were looking for some local artists but mostly just found local tarot readers. After getting instructions to the street car from Velvet, I asked her if I could pray for her. She said “yes, but do it later.” It was not necessary, she informed me, to come close to her or put my hand on her head. Apparently she has been prayed for before. But that’s the beauty of silent prayer … I can do it whenever or wherever I want and say whatever I want! No hand on head needed. We headed down Bourbon street to Canal street to catch the Green car. I found 2 people who were happy to have our extra beignets. You would be surprised how many street people told me that they are diabetic and can’t have sugar. One guy I talked to, Alla, was from Ethiopia and writing a book about the differences between life there and life here. I asked what he thought some of the biggest differences were and he said freedoms. In the US, he said, “you have freedom to become”. Profound.

We took the Green street car through the Garden District and saw lots of beautiful houses. We also passed a sign for the WWII Museum. Bruce wanted to go there, so we hopped off and caught the next Green car going back.

This museum was great! So many interesting exhibits! It was also a little overwhelming. We could have spent 2 days there. It certainly piqued my interest to read more about it. These things always reinforce the knowledge of how little I know. I had no idea that our military devised this whole scheme of deception, including fake tanks & tents, phantom field armies & maniquin paratroopers. They got help from movie set people to come up with all the stuff. Anyway the ploy worked and Germany thought that we were planning an invasion near Pas de Calaise, France and in Norway and were not prepared for our invasion of Normandy.

Our RV park provides a shuttle to New Orleans but the place that they pick up was 2 miles from the museum. We were going to walk but realized we couldn’t make it in time for the last pick up at 5 PM. So we ubered to the pickup spot. Then shuttled to our RV park. Got Harvey and headed back to rescue Little Jo. Conveniently the Uber drove right by Cafe Dumonde so we could see that the cycle was still safely locked to the pole.

While we were waiting for the shuttle a guy saw us looking at our phones and pointing and asked if we needed any help. We told him about our deliemma and that we were trying to find a place to park our RV when we come back since most of the streets are so narrow. He said that he had seen lots of RVs parked along this one street not far from there. Fast forward to when we got back with Harvey. We cruised over to that street and indeed saw multiple RVs parked along there. Unfortunately the RVs parked there looked like they had not left in quite some time. And possibly were no longer able to leave. We opted to skip that option. Bruce was determined to get closer anyway. Next thing I know, he’s pulling over in this huge empty parking area on the side of the street with signs saying “no parking. Reserved for tacks.” But it was right across the street from Cafe Dumonde so he decided to take his chances. When we had been there earlier today the space was filled with horses and buggies. Now they had mostly all gone home. I stayed in the RV in case we needed to move or I needed to give someone our sob story. It brought back memories of the billions of times I sat in the RV waiting on Bruce on our original trip. I think I’ll start calling it the OT. Haha.

When I got out to take a pic of Harvey in the French Quarter I met a guy named Tinho who was at a little booth raising awareness for Doctors Without Borders. I told him we had friends who had been a part of that organization and I knew it was wonderful. While we were standing there, a girl walked by and he said, “Have you heard of Doctors Without Borders?” “No thank you!” she answered as she walked on by. You at least have to give her points for politeness.

When Bruce got back we asked them for restaurant recommendations for dinner. Tinho’s friend said hands down Mr Ed’s Oyster Bar was the best. They had various locations and we all decided that the one in the Garden District would probably be the easiest place to park, rather than navigating more narrow streets and attempting to find parking in the French Quarter. It was perfect. We found easy parking near the restaurant. The streets weren’t too crowed. The restaurant wasn’t too crowded. And the couple coming out recommended the Taste of New Orleans combo plate which we ordered. Red Beans & Rice, Jambalaya, Crawfish Etouffee and Smoked Sausage. All the cajun dishes in one spot! Delicious!

We planned to go back to the French Quarter and listen to some live music after dinner but it was going to be too complicated to get there and after our long day we were ready to head back to the RV park.