Oh, it was a most beautiful day today. I woke up, had coffee, applied glitter to holiday dress, and then headed out on the bicycle. It was sunny with blue skies, and it felt good to be alive. I spent most of the day at parades, catching throws from a semi-famous person or two and a zillion krewe members. Continue reading
Mid City
Crowds Gathering at Canal and Burgundy for the Saints Parade
Why yes, we’re having a parade today! Today’s rolled in honor of the New Orlean’s Saints, and this town was seriously excited. Schools closed early, shops and businesses shut down, and people gathered. Now, I wisely took my bicycle, aware that there’d be nowhere to put a car and long, long streetcar waits, plus, of course, that’s just how I travel. Continue reading
Graffiti at Magazine and Race
After a disappointing series of flat tires and a rainstorm yesterday, I was happy to hop back on the bike today for my regular commute. I then got a nice evening ride in as I headed over to Mid-City for another meeting with the Metro Bike Coalition. Continue reading
Freeway Signs on the Broad Street Overpass
It’s Carnival time, people. I got up this morning and rode over to Mid-City to meet C. and P. for their annual bead-and-plush-throwapalooza, along with lots and lots of other people on this Saturday afternoon. I just got a few things. The checker asked me if I rode. Not in a parade, I said, but on my bike. Continue reading
Sailboats on Lake Pontchartrain
I woke up this morning well-rested and happy to see the sun shining and to have nothing on my plate, so I spent the day taking Rhoda out for a ride around town. I was in the mood to see water, so headed to Bayou St. John and then, after putting on some music, rode around City Park and then up to Lake Pontchartrain to check out the view. Continue reading
First Quarter of the Fourth Race at the Fairgrounds
It was a warm 74 degrees on a perfect New Orleans Sunday. I slept late, but headed out to the track to meet some friends to catch some racing. The streets were fairly empty, especially since the Saints don’t play until tomorrow night. Continue reading
Abandoned School at N. Miro and St. Ann
After spending a couple of hours cleaning the Surly, including cleaning between each individual link in the chain and scrubbing the derailleur, all of which was incredibly pleasurable, I took the bike out for a ride. I headed to Mid-City for coffee and a cookie and some writing. Continue reading
Lanterns on the Pedestrian Bridge at Bayou St. John
I don’t know what to write today. I barely knew what to see today. It’s the fourth anniversary of Katrina, and I am acutely aware that I wasn’t here then. I was living in Hartford, Connecticut, trying to finish my dissertation, missing California, and hating the uncomfortable broken-down office furniture the college had moved into our furnished apartment. I wished I was home. Continue reading
New Orleans Skyline From the S. Jeff Pkway Pedestrian Bridge
Yesterday’s ride took a lot out of me, so I must admit I wasn’t terribly looking forward to the ride down to D.’s in the Treme, though I was definitely hip to an end-of-summer grilling extravaganza, complete with key lime pie. God, I love key lime pie. Continue reading
Houses at Vicksburg Near Porteous
I finished up some last-minute work on this semester’s syllabi yesterday and decided to spend the waning hours of my summer on my bike. It was surprisingly dry yesterday–N. said it was only 15% humidity–and the sky was blue, no thunderstorms threatening. Perfect. Continue reading
What I Saw Riding My Bike Around Today 