Friday, we left home early (for us it was early, 10am) and drove into New Orleans.
According to our GPS it was a 41 mile drive, taking us across Lake Pontchartrain, using the causeway bridge, which is 23.87 miles long.
Briefly. the bridge originally opened, with a two lane span, one lane in each direction in 1956. A Parallel two lane span, making 2 lanes in each direction, was opened in May 1969.
Up until 1999, the toll was $1.50 in each direction. However due to increased congestion on the South side, the north bound toll booth was removed, and the south bound cost was doubled to $3. It has remained at $3 since. The southbound terminus is in a suburb of New Orleans, called Metairie, the northbound, a town called Mandeville.
The last time we were here, we missed New Orleans and the bridge. What a huge mistake.
If anyone reading this gets a chance to visit Louisiana, grab it, go to New Orleans, and drive over the bridge. You will not regret it. We enjoyed New Orleans so much, we are going back tomorrow, to see the bits we missed, and to revisit the bits we didn't.
But I again digress........Not like me at all.....
We had an easy and pleasant drive into the city, and found a car park on the edge of the French Quarter, just off Canal Street. From there we were able to walk through the Quarter, along all the well known street names, like Bourbon Street, and Jackson Square. Despite the reputation New Orleans has for being quite a violent city, both of us felt totally at ease walking through the narrow streets and alley ways. Forever being surprised as we turn one corner after another, to find street musicians and pavement artists. The biggest surprise of all being that they were all 1st class musicians, whether they were playing guitars, flutes, trumpets or just singing. Both Jane and I love live music, and this was live music at its best.
Of course there were all the touristy shops, some quite unique to New Orleans. While we are here, the
"New Orleans Saints" football team are playing the Minnesota Vikings,(Sunday afternoon) the winners going to the Superbowl in Miami next month, so there is a lot of excitement and expectation.
We stopped for lunch at a Cajun restaurant. I had a rice concoction with beef and chicken, in a spicy sauce, called something like Jambalaya. Whatever it was called, it was delicious. Jane had a ham and cheese salad 'poboy' (Sandwich to you and me).Of course there was a superb jazz band playing as we ate.
We had a great day, the weather could not have been better, clear blue skies and warm sunshine. A perfect day.
The bridge over Lake Pontchartrain. Almost 24 miles long,making it the longest road bridge in the world. It felt like itwould go on for ever. Its a toll bridge, paid southbound only,and the cost? $3. What a bargain.
The New Orleans Skyline. 
The Superdome, where so many people stayed when Katrina hit.
What an awesome building, and every where was so clean. 
All the buildings were just beautiful. 
I rang my Mum & Dad to tell them, "I'm in New Orleans."
Click on the link to open.
St. Patrick's Church.
The architecture is wonderful.
Small groups were playing on most of the corners.
The surprise? They were all superb musicians and singers
This is the couple singing in Jackson Square.
