Our next big stop is New Orleans. Our hotel is on Bourbon Street and we were right on the pulse of the French Quarter. After having a big dinner at The Acme Oyster House, Sheila and I wandered around the French Quarter.
The atmosphere was one of a giant party and everyone is welcome to attend. Strangers on balconies tossed beads down to people walking by. Barkers for the bars tried to lure travelers in and everywhere I looked, people were having a good time. Bourbon Street at night is colorful and from open doorways you could hear the sound of live music pouring out.
We Roadies enjoyed midnight beignets covered in a mountain of powdered sugar. The party on the streets wasn't showing the slightest sign of slowing down when we went to bed.
Driving through the streets of New Orleans the next day, we admired the architecture and massive trees lining the roads. Dangling from these trees are hundreds of strings of beads. Every tree was covered in the colorful beads until they resembled fancy ladies lifting their skirts.
We stopped at the temporary studio of the famous New Orleans artist Tim Neil. Tim's love for the city comes out in a big way with his artwork. He combines familiar faces, vibrant colors, and stunning graphics to show the world his vision of New Orleans. His use of rich colors makes the paintings stand out and somehow embodies everything that is the city. The beauty, energy, and elegance combine in an eye catching style.
Tim's passion for New Orleans extends to include other residents with the belief that if they all work together, the city will continue to thrive. In the course of his own work, he supports other local businesses.
To see Tim Neil's artwork, visit his websites (www.neil07.com and www.NolaHero.com) and see the spirit of New Orleans distilled into paint and spread onto canvas. His work is truly amazing.
We didn't get a chance to see Tim's new studio on Magazine Street, but his home had his work displayed. In the place of honor was a large painting of two fish and a bayou with the word Louisiana splashed across it. Picked out are the U, S, and A in Louisiana to show that the state has our country at its heart.
Driving through the streets of New Orleans we looked at the homes and I've never been someplace where each property has its own personality. The homes reflect their residents; steadfast at being who they are without caring what the person next door is thinking. You want a hot pink house with turquoise trim? Rock it out. Don't go looking for cookie cutter neighborhoods here.
We are jumping from place to place and sampling the best like a hummingbird flitting from flower to flower. My list of places to visit grows longer every day. Nashville, New Orleans, Memphis, and Atlanta all deserve more time to savor the sights and people.
Merle the bulldog was not in New Orleans wearing beaded necklaces.
