NOLA bound!

WITH BUT ONE DAY IN THE BIG EASY…what to do? New Orleans is filled with history and, full disclosure, one day didn’t begin to scratch the surface of this colorful town. But with places to go and reservations awaiting us down the road, off I went to the top of my list, the World War II Museum. One could easily spend two full days at this immersive museum to get the full impact this war had on the world. Overall, I was elated to spend several hours here combing through both the Pacific (where my father served) and European theaters. I found one of the most gratifying portions was viewing film, first person, of those who served and shared their stories. It is an understatement to say I walked away with ‘sensory overload’ but I also came away grateful that this museum preserves so much of this war’s history, all in one stop. Liberation Plaza is currently under construction. Put this well done museum on your list of things to see/experience while in New Orleans.

As a side bar, two local people were catalysts in successfully getting this museum off the ground. Andrew Higgins, creator of the duck boats used to storm Normandy on D-Day, 1944; and the other, historian Stephen Ambrose, who has written historical books including, ‘Band of Brothers’. Both men called New Orleans home. (Thanks to my Airstream friend, Nancy; and the docent at the National Museum of Military Vehicles, in Du Bois, Wyoming for recommending this museum!).

With only a few hours remaining in the day, I took on the French Quarter. Here, a few pictures speak volumes. My takeaway from this lively part of town was that I should have visited about 40 years ago