Look at that sky–isn’t it beautiful? It wasn’t sunny today, but the overcast sky at dusk was it’s own sort of beauty, don’t you think? I spent my day writing and reading and then took Jack out for a long ride along Bayou St. John. I took this picture of the General Beauregard statue at the entrance to City Park at Esplanade right before setting off with the hopes of making it to UNO. It was such a nice evening for a ride–cool and breezy. Every time I looked behind me I saw my skirt blowing around in the wind, and I just love that feeling. But then the sun was down and the streetlights were off and my tiny headlight was doing the best it could, but it wasn’t enough to feel safe on the unpredictably rocky New Orleans streets. Continue reading
parks
Picnicking at the Fly
It’s the first full day of my spring break, and I couldn’t be more pleased. The weather was fantastic, so I went for a long ride along the Mississippi after a day of basketball, lunch, coffee, and reading. Yeah, rough life, eh? I was not the only person who thought the levee would be a nice place to toast this first day of spring (and my mom’s birthday–happy birthday, ma! Love you!). Continue reading
Sunset on the Mississippi
Oh yeah, it’s springtime in New Orleans. Today was ridiculously beautiful. I took advantage with a nice ride on the levee late this afternoon. So many people were out riding around, running, walking dogs. The folks with horses had them out, trotting around. Other folks were engaging in archery practice, shooting on the banks of the Mississippi at hay bales draped with vinyl targets. There were even golfers practicing chip shots. This is what I love about public space–it’s for the public. Continue reading
Overturned Trash Can On Levee Path In Jefferson Parish
It has been cold and windy the past few days, but that hasn’t kept me off my bike. I finally recovered from Mardi Gras madness and got some long rides in this weekend. I didn’t plan to go out today, but I was in a bit of a foul mood after work this afternoon and knew a ride on the new bike would make everything shinier. And it did. Continue reading
Baseball Diamond at Laurel and Lyons
I had never seen New Orleans before I drove in on I10 last summer. I moved in to a house on Laurel Street that I rented, sight unseen, from a Tulane professor who was on leave. Just down the block was a FEMA trailer park in what used to be a park. Continue reading
Bywater Neighborhood Association Annual Mirliton Festival
Today was another jaw-droppingly beautiful day in New Orleans. It was warm and sunny with a blue sky, and any plans I had to stay inside and work quickly went out the window. I hopped on my bike and rode down to the Bywater for the annual Mirliton Festival celebrating this local produce. Continue reading
Cricket at Tulane
Today was a beautiful day in New Orleans: mid-70s, blue sky, shining sun. It was the perfect day for a bike ride, so I tooled around Uptown after doing some work on campus. I saw these men playing cricket out on the lawn in front of the student center. Continue reading
Spanish Moss on Oak Trees in Audubon Park
I was back on my bicycle today, off to work, yoga, home, then back to work again. On my way home from yoga I detoured through Audubon Park again, hoping to stretch out my ride a bit and see some oak trees; they always remind me of both permanence–they are enormous and old and intimidating–and the inevitability of loss–so many are blown over in storms or cut down to make way for something else. Continue reading
Meditation Walk in Audubon Park
Today’s bike ride took me to yoga and then back home, this time through Audubon Park. Today there were cyclists, runners, walkers, dog walkers, and in-line skaters. Tons of folks are out and about in the park at 6:30 on a Sunday evening, especially when it tastes like fall. Continue reading
Horses in Audubon Park
After a busy day, I rode my bike home along St. Charles at park-rush hour–around 6:30–and was struck, as I often am, by the myriad ways different people use public space. Continue reading
What I Saw Riding My Bike Around Today 