I don’t feel too hot today–I’ve got that icky feeling in the back of my throat that says something’s off. But it was such a beautiful day, and a beautiful day for a bike ride, so I sucked it up and went downtown to enjoy the sunshine and dry air and crowds at the New Orleans Bookfair and the Bywater Mirliton Festival. (I was running late–no time to stop at the Scandinavian Festival!) Continue reading
Lights at the World War II Museum in the Warehouse District
Rhoda’s rear cog was a little loose and I don’t have the proper flat wrench for repair, so I took her to the bike shoppe for a little TLC this afternoon. Ten bucks later and the girl was riding like a dream, so I was happy to pedal her down to the Marigny tonight for a drink with a former student and then over to S.’s place for roasted beets, prosecco, and some TV with S. and R. Continue reading
Train Crossing at St. Claude and Press
I know, I’m like a broken record, but the weather is so flipping beautiful here this week. I rode around running errands this afternoon, in a skirt and tank top and sandals as my shoulders baked in the sun. In November. Man, I love living here! Those hot and humid summer months–which I also enjoy–are worth it for these pleasant fall days. Continue reading
Men at the House of Blues
After spending some time fixing Rhoda’s back wheel, I hopped on and rode down to the Treme to meet D. and R. before we headed to the House of Blues for a show. The weather is just plain perfect right now–cool but not cold, breezy but not windy, and clear as a bell. I just flew downtown, and was excited to turn right back around, two other bike riders in tow, to head back to Decatur. Continue reading
New Construction at Louisiana and St. Charles
It was a perfectly beautiful day in New Orleans–slightly cool, slightly breezy, clear as a bell. I hopped on the Surly, clipped in, and zipped up to work. Man, there is just nothing like riding that bike, skirt flying in the breeze. It reminds me, every time, just how perfect the bicycle is. I mean, it’s such a simple machine. I just move my legs up and down in a circle, and I’m really speeding. I feel it especially when passing pedestrians–man, they’re moving slowly. Every once in a great while I’ll walk (like if I have a flat…), and I’m reminded that what I see every day is what I see on a bike; walking gives whole different views. Continue reading
Cars and Cars at Baronne and Howard
I don’t know if you heard, but the Saints had a game tonight. And they are having a really good season. 6-0 going in to tonight’s game, in fact. It felt like the whole city was gearing up for a party, so I hopped on the Surly (Rhoda’s out of commission at the moment) and headed down to the Treme, via Loyola, to watch the game in HD at J. and R.’s place. Continue reading
Halloween at St. Ann and Dauphine
I have a lot of mixed feelings about Halloween in New Orleans. I hate the pressure to dress up and have fun, which never seems to be more than standing around with cheap beer watching the fiftieth Sarah Palin–wait–this year it’s Max from Where the Wild Things Are— walk by. But that’s the grinch Kate. Continue reading
Lights in the Courtyard at the Dragon’s Den
It is hot and humid in New Orleans, even though it is the end of October. I was sweating like June when I got down to D.’s place for our weekly TV date with J., R., and S. Afterwards a few of us hopped on our bikes and rode over to the Dragon’s Den on Esplanade near Frenchman to see and hear some music (unfortunately, our dilly dally-ing meant we missed the show). Continue reading
Phillies vs. Yankees at Burgundy and Conti
I got Rhoda some presents today. I stopped at the fabulously friendly and convenient Uptown shop, Mike the Bike Guy, and got her new handlebars (the right bar was finally rusting off after last year’s crash that bent it) and grips, a new front tire (that thing is so worn you can almost see the tube near the rim), and a new bottom bracket for my fender (ah, rust…). Continue reading
Rubber Chicken and Clock on a Street Sign at Louisiana and Camp
So I’m riding my bike back from dinner with K. and some grocery shopping when I pass this street sign at the corner of Louisiana and Camp. It is warning drivers to park for no more than two hours (my failure to follow this sign has resulted in some pretty hefty fines this month). This sign was also home to that bike from several weeks ago that had been locked up there for months and months. Continue reading