New Orleans 2013 {1}

This past weekend we took a simply wonderful trip to New Orleans. If you know me, and have followed my photography for awhile, you know that I am completely smitten with that city. I've always said it is like visiting a foreign country, and it's in our backyard. I'm so lucky. I could just walk the streets and take pictures all day and all night. Of course, I would stop to eat on occasion.

I have many images to share from this trip. So I will share as I cull and edit. It will be over several posts. What fun!

We arrived in New Orleans around noon on Drew's birthday. (Lucky birthday boy!) We unpacked the car and took to the streets. No particular destination in mind. He lead the way. I followed. Perfect.


These ferns caught my eye right away. So lacey. Soft.




Then, the people. The signs. The buildings. OH MY...




Look at the copper on this building. So shiney.




There were a lot of people out and about. The streets were humming with the sounds of the city.




 OK. This is going to bring shouts of glee from my daughter, Nikki. We have passed this bookstore many, many times. But, alas, it was always closed. So, we would press our little faces against the hazy windows to get a better peek. And we would actually sniff around the door to get that 'old book' smell. Well. This time it was open!!! So in I went. The smell of old books was heady. You could almost touch it. It was all we had hoped, and then some.




And I think I could use this ladder in my house. Anyone have one for sale? It's a little dream.




The old glass cupboard were partly open and overfilled with books of all kinds.




Books spilled out of every corner onto the floor.









Could it get any more perfect? Yes! It had a fat lazy cat that never moved from it's red throne at the front of the store. He got his ears scratched compliments of me.




And there was even an upstairs. So up I went!




And this is the door. I love doors. As you probably well know.




Back to the streets...




Put a word in a sidewalk, and I will take a picture. It is not an option to walk away.




The trolley is fascinating with it's perseverance to keep on going. and going. and going.




A beautiful building. So stately. St. Louis Cathedral.




There were street performers everywhere. This fellow was part of a talented and very funny group.











I feel so sorry for these animals. At least the weather was cooler. Not like the heat of the summer.








Love in the park. It was everywhere!




Another of the church.




I was on a mission to photograph doors. And more doors.




Artists everywhere you looked!






More doors. With numbers. The best kind...





And a street performer playing his heart out. Love the sound as it resonated through the streets.