Re: Goin\' to New Orleans
The trip was wonderful!
My Sis got an earlier flight in from Dallas so we got to have lunch and then get her luggage. We got checked into the hotel downtown and then walked around the French Quarter and Jackson Park. We made dinner reservations for the next night. Told the wait staff that it was a surprise. Stopped at Cafe du Monde for bignettes sp? and chickory coffee. A guy was noodling on the sax which was nice. My brother and his girls drove all night and arrived at 5 am. Time to wake up and go wild for a while. Back to catch up on a little sleep.
After breakfast we snuck into the same hotel where our folks were staying. That was touch and go. Our room was on the back away from where the folks were staying. I called my folks to tell them that a cab would be at the hotel to take them to dinner. We had all of the expenses covered. Us kids then headed back to the FQ. Found a place right across from the restaurant to park. Inside at a hotel. Lucky find, it only cost us $6.50 for each car! It was a hoot to wander around with my sis, bro and his girls. Its been years since all of us got to hang out together.
We were on our way back from the levee and a long train came up. That made us a bit late to ambush our Folks. I had hoped to get inside the restaurant without being seen. When I came in, I saw Mom and Dad sitting in the corner. My Dad looked right at me but I turned away really quick. Once we were all inside we walked up to the table. Mom started to cry she was so surprised! The restaurant had a larger table set up so we slipped over there.
All of us had a great dinner and desert.
We went out to the patio to take a family picture. With me in Denver, sis in CA and folks/bro/nieces in Dallas we don't get together often.
Afterwards we walked the streets. The girls got lots of beads from the balconies along Bourbon street. We had to shuffle along past the Penthouse balcony and the bachlorette party where they were chest flashing. Not want I want my nieces to be seeing but nothing I didn't expect on a Saturday night.
Our folks were so happy about the ambush, they'd tell anyone who would listen about the gathering. What a nice weekend!
