The Bourbon Run, June 2001

Nicole and Ann pose at City Park in New Orleans.
Bayou Pierre, Northwestern Louisiana
Bayou Pierre, Northwestern Louisiana

Driving from Ada, Oklahoma to New Orleans, Louisiana

One of my best friends, Ann Kelley, loved New Orleans, and had been asking me to take her with me the next time I went to visit my sister Nicole.

My sister's next door neighbor sits in Nicole's yard to sketch.
My sister’s next door neighbor sits in Nicole’s yard to sketch.

We departed around 10 am from Ada for the 12 hour drive to New Orleans. At 10 pm, we arrived and immediately went for pizza at Italian Pie. They made a veggie pizza for me with garlic instead of cheese. It was the most garlic I have ever eaten in one sitting.

I shot this through a window of Nicole's car as we drove through downtown New Orleans.
I shot this through a window of Nicole’s car as we drove through downtown New Orleans.
My sister Nicole poses at her home on Marshal Foch in New Orleans.
My sister Nicole poses at her home on Marshal Foch in New Orleans.

Painted Bridge and City Park

We were tired and/or sleepy every day. In the morning, we moved my sister into her new kitchen and office.

Ann scopes out a photo opportunity at the painted bridge my sister suggested we photograph. This is a screen grab of a video frame.
Ann scopes out a photo opportunity at the painted bridge my sister suggested we photograph. This is a screen grab of a video frame.

We went for sushi for lunch. We had a nap, grocery run, and walked the dog. At around 5 pm, we shot at a pink painted rail bridge near Industrial Canal that Nicole suggested then made our way to City Park. By 9 pm we had dinner at Deanie’s, where we gorged on potatoes, beans and rice, and onion rings.

Nicole poses at the Painted Bridge.
Nicole poses at the Painted Bridge.
Fence in Industrial Canal
Fence in Industrial Canal
Ann Kelley sits under the painted canal bridge in New Orleans.
Ann Kelley sits under the painted canal bridge in New Orleans.
Bridge beams in the Industrial Canal
Bridge beams in the Industrial Canal
Ann photographs Nicole in City Park.
Ann photographs Nicole in City Park.
Ann and I pose for a photo in New Orleans' City Park.
Ann and I pose for a photo in New Orleans’ City Park.
Nicole and Ann pose at City Park in New Orleans.
Nicole and Ann pose at City Park in New Orleans.

Grand Isle State Park

In a style consistent with New Orleans life, we aren’t really starting until lunch, and end up dining as late as 10 pm. It’s quite opposite from my desert jaunts when I’m out the door by sunrise.

We had lunch of French Fries Po Boy down the street from Nicole’s at Weavers.

Ann reads a paper at Weaver's Po Boy.
Ann reads a paper at Weaver’s Po Boy.

Grand Isle State Park was neat. We drove past bayous, fishing villages, shipyards. The park was nearly deserted due to approach of Tropical Storm Allison. The beach was stormy and warm.

Ann lays in the surf at Grand Isle State Park.
Ann lays in the surf at Grand Isle State Park.
This view looks down through spiral wooden stairs at Grand Isle State Park.
This view looks down through spiral wooden stairs at Grand Isle State Park.
Walkway, Grand Isle State Park
Walkway, Grand Isle State Park
Nicole poses in the surf at Grand Isle State Park, Louisiana.
Nicole poses in the surf at Grand Isle State Park, Louisiana.
The Sea at Grande Isle State Park was whipped up by Tropical Storm Allison.
The Sea at Grande Isle State Park was whipped up by Tropical Storm Allison.

D-Day Museum on D-Day

Rain was heavy at times, all day, so it was museum day. At the Museum of Modern Art, Ann was so mesmerized by the paintings that we left her there and went to the D-Day Museum, since this was D-Day. I didn’t shoot much, but found it all very interesting.

Dinner was a highly spicy affair at an African place, a meal like none I’d had before.

Ashtray and window, French Quarter, New Orleans
Ashtray and window, French Quarter, New Orleans

The French Quarter

We had lunch at the Hummingbird, downtown, where a sign there says, “No talking to imaginary people.”

We made a few passable images in the French Quarter, fighting driving rain.

The French Quarter in a drenching rain
The French Quarter in a drenching rain
I spotted this doorway on the French Quarter.
I spotted this doorway on the French Quarter.
Nicole on the French Quarter in the rain
Nicole on the French Quarter in the rain
The French Quarter soaks up its share of rain from Tropical Storm Allison.
The French Quarter soaks up its share of rain from Tropical Storm Allison.
Your host poses on the French Quarter.
Your host poses on the French Quarter.
This image made on the French Quarter has the tonal qualities of a 150-year-old image.
This image made on the French Quarter has the tonal qualities of a 150-year-old image.
My sister Nicole poses in drenching rain on The French Quarter.
My sister Nicole poses in drenching rain on The French Quarter.
Front stoop at a house in the French Quarter
Front stoop at a house in the French Quarter

Ann Kelley died of breast cancer in November 2012.

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