lower ninth ward

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The Mississippi River and Downtown New Orleans From the Levee in Holy Cross

I’ve been a little down lately, I’m not going to lie. Too many endings all at once have me in a little bit of a spin, so I figured the best thing to do today is what I usually do, because usually, I feel pretty good. I woke up after a full 8 hours of sleep, read a bit of a book I need to review, wrote 300 words (gotta ease back into summer productivity), and then it was time for a bicycle ride without a particular destination. Continue reading →

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Collapsed Roof on a House on Roffignac & Dorgenois

Ok, the weather is just ridiculous in New Orleans right now. I got up early, read for a bit, and then took the bike out for a ride. After a couple hours of grading at the coffee shoppe I pedaled out with no destination. I headed toward the Lower 9th but was thwarted by the bridge up at the Industrial Canal. Wait, wait, wait, and then wait a little bit more, and then I was zipping around, trying to trace as many newly-paved roads as possible. Continue reading →

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Blighted House on Mehle and N. Rampart in Arabi

I had a lovely day getting some reading and writing done before hopping on the Surly for a trip to the doctor’s office. At the end of our appointment I asked her how she was doing as the 5th anniversary of Katrina and the levee breaches that flooded New Orleans. She told me a harrowing story of her escape from the city, so terrible it seemed like out of a movie. But it wasn’t. And hers is one story among thousands and thousands and thousands. Continue reading →

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Fazendeville at the Chalmette National Battlefield

Finally, a free afternoon on a sunny day! I took the Surly out, no particular destination-my most favorite sort of ride. I decided to hit up the delightfully smooth (minus the train tracks at Press St.) St. Claude bike lane. After dodging a number of cars using the lane for its fine double parking opportunities, I finally reached the St. Bernard Parish line. Continue reading →

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Make It Right Houses on Tennessee in the Lower 9th

Make It Right Houses on TennesseeI picked up my touring bike from R. this afternoon and planned to ride home and then get some work done. But once I got on the bike, I just wanted to keep riding. I headed out on St. Claude Avenue via the lovely bike lane and then over the Industrial Canal to the Lower 9th. Continue reading →

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USCT Graves at Chalmette National Cemetery

Chalmette National CemeteryJazz Fest is here in New Orleans, and the weather just couldn’t be better for it. I’m not going this weekend, opting instead for the more affordable and more my speed Festival International Louisiane in Lafayette. Before heading off for music galore, though, I decided to take a day riding around this beautiful town, away from crowds. Continue reading →

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Drawbridge Over the Industrial Canal at St. Claude

Drawbridge at the Industrial CanalYep, another beautiful day in New Orleans, as evidenced by the sky in this picture. I decided to take an easy ride today, as I’m a little sore from the past week of near-constant riding. After work I took Jack down to the Marigny to do a little writing at the coffee shop. Then we tooled over to a bar for the infamous Tater Tachos (nachos, but with tater tots instead of chips) and a beer. I was going to head home, but as the sun started to wane, just a little bit, it was a touch cooler and I decided to zip up the St. Claude bike lane over to the Lower Ninth. Continue reading →

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Railroad Crossing at Royal and Press Streets

Railroad Crossing at Royal and PressThis picture captures, I think, the crazy sun of today.  It was absolutely beautiful, again.  And I was in the mood to celebrate outside, because today marks the third anniversary of quitting smoking.  Three years ago today I was a quivering mess, crying between mouthfuls of Fritos or M&Ms, not sure why I’d made the terrible decision to quit smoking, and feeling quite certain that I’d never be ok again.  Continue reading →

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The Industrial Canal and St. Bernard Parish

Today was a beautiful day in New Orleans.  The humidity was low, the temp was in the mid-80s, and the sun was shining.  In spots.  Fine, it was pretty overcast, but I’ll take what I can get.  Continue reading →