So the weird thing about New Orleans, which I love, and also hate, is that you can get so many different things in just a few blocks, or on the same block, for that matter. Any bike ride more than a half a mile long will take you through different worlds. My daily commute, for example, takes me past mansions and apartment complexes and houses still decaying and sinking from the flood. That’s just two miles each way. Continue reading
blight
Empty Lot at St. Charles and Louisiana
It was a perfect spring day in New Orleans (and yes, I know it’s only February), and I had no parades to go to, so I took my bike to a coffee shop where I sat outside and got some work done. I woke up on the wrong side of the bed, but it was impossible to stay there on this most lovely day. I wasn’t the only cyclist out enjoying the sunshine; Kate Hudson was walking her bike down Magazine Street, dressed as if it were much, much warmer than it actually was. Continue reading
Broken Toilet and Lone Tree in Front of Blighted Property at Amelia and S. Robertson
Carnival is over, and I have to admit, I’m glad about that. I need to get back to work and besides, my right shoulder hurts from reaching for beads. I rode my bike up to campus for a surprisingly well-attended couple of classes. The ride wasn’t easy, though. Continue reading
Blight and New Construction on Piety Near N. Galvez
I cannot begin to express what a perfectly beautiful day it was in New Orleans–crystal clear skies, mid-70s, I was riding the Surly around in a flipping sundress. In January. This is more like it, people. I headed out for one of those rides with no destination. Continue reading
Steps On An Empty Lot at Freret and Napoleon
Oh, the weather is warming up, and it is simply delightful. A week of sub-freezing temps is about all I can take. I had a zippy ride to school up St. Charles to meet my seminar students. I arrived a bit out of breath, donning my grown up clothes (right leg rolled up) and my bike shoes, still riding yesterday’s first-day-of-school high. Continue reading
Blighted House at Peniston and Dryades
Today was the first day of school for the semester. And as I told my students, after my birthday and the first day of school, there’s simply no other day I like more. It’s so full of promise! Continue reading
I Love You Graffiti at Freret and General Taylor
It is really cold here in New Orleans. I’m just not used to this stuff. My poor little frozen fingers, clamped over the Surly brake hoods! I was just claiming it couldn’t possibly be too cold to bike. And it won’t be here in New Orleans, but shoot, it was cold out there today, and I’m going to whine about it! Continue reading
Blight, an Empty Lot, and New Construction Near LaSalle and Fifth
It was another cold and crispy day in New Orleans, but today was game day. Last day of the regular football season, and the Saints were ready to finish a good one. Or not. I hopped on the Surly and headed down to the Treme to find out. Continue reading
Houses on Delachaise between Magazine and Camp
Uptown and the Garden District are probably the two ritziest neighborhoods in Orleans Parish. When biking around, you can absolutely tell when you’ve crossed from Uptown in to Central City. There aren’t nearly as many trees, whole blocks are blighted, some streets feel empty. And the Garden District? Hell, Sandra Bullock lives here! Continue reading
House on Delachaise and S. Liberty, Redux
I ride very similar routes around this town, every single day. Up and down St. Charles, down Simon Bolivar, up Baronne, up and down St. Claude. One thing I love about biking, though, is that there’s always something new to see, to notice, as long as you pay attention. Continue reading
What I Saw Riding My Bike Around Today 