Nothing better than meeting friends at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. This is my 4th time at the festival (I think), and I always go for the last weekend in April. I first attended, in the early 80’s with Barbara Thorn, a native from New Orleans (correction), she had friends that lived in the French Quarter, where we stood on a balcony and watched the people – Ah, the Humanity!
ME, Lydia, Bruce, Hilary & Robin (left to right)
This trip is a repeat visit with Hilary. We celebrated her 40th birthday, and we are here again celebrating another birthday with wife Robin. Hilary and I met years ago in Anchorage, Alaska. Robin and Hilary still live there, and this year they are taking a break from work life, which gave us an opportunity to meet in NO.
Bruce was my union shop steward at the Anchorage Pioneer Home in the early 90’s. His wife Lydia recently retired as the Executive Director of the National Education Association Alaska, now both fully retired they have returned to their home in Tacoma, WA. Alaska friends are friends for a life-time. Lydia and Bruce will visit Long Island in June, where Bruce’s mother lives and he and I will play some golf.
I stayed at the Pontchartrain Landing Marina, Villa, and RV resort on the shores of Lake Pontchartrain. As always met great campers. And, thank goodness for Lyft, a cheap ride. Especially compared to my first day of parking when I got a $100 boot on my truck in a parking lot on the edge French Quarter. YIKES!
If you have never gone to the NO Jazz Fest, I recommend an addition to your bucket list. Especially, if Bonnie Raitt is playing. She ROCKS.
Next stop is Montgomery, AL to visit the new memorial and museum to recognize the victims of lynchings. On May 6, I plan to attend President Jimmy Carter teaching Sunday school in Plains, GA. Then on to Chapel Hill for Mother’s Day with the very best Mom ever!
Looking forward to seeing my D.C. friends before heading to Long Island for the summer.
