Things Are Really Cooking In NOLA

We arrived in New Orleans just in time to experience the French Quarter Festival, torrential downpours & some wonderful family time with Katie's dad, Bob!  We saw on the news that it was suppose to storm so after checking into the RV Resort in the heart of the French Quarter we walked to the New Orleans School of Cooking where we made reservations the day before in an attempt to stay indoors.  Since it hadn't started raining after our class, we decided to walk off some of our lunch by checking out the bands playing in the festival and visiting the Historic Voodoo Museum, but of course that is when the storms hit & we were drenched!  Luckily we had our trusty ponchos, plus the weather took a turn for the better late afternoon, giving us a chance to tour more of the city before meeting Bob for dinner, drinks & more gambling!!!!

Katie with the talented & charismatic Big Kevin...he told us he had to get on his tiptoes for this photo
Chef Kevin taught us how to make crab bisque, shrimp creole, bananas foster & pralines NOLA style

The O'Babbitt's enjoying some beverages after our cooking class
Local beer, lemonade, tea & outstanding biscuits are also included with the class

Babbitt making an offering at the Voodoo Museum
The museum was much smaller than we expected, but the good voodoo we took with us made it worth it

Katie with a waiter at Cafe Du Monde
There is not much on the menu, but the beignets are delectable

Babbitt playing the invisible trumpet with Louis Armstrong

Grilled Oysters with Parmesan Cheese at Drago's...we had two orders & Katie even liked them
Bob traveled to NOLA for work & getting to spend time with him made our trip here even better...
this was the good voodoo we were looking for

Katie & Bob with their winnings at Harrah's in downtown New Orleans
Bob couldn't resist placing a bet & Katie immediately cashed out when she won (all while Babbitt was in the bathroom) & bought some beverages back at Bob's hotel with the winnings...it was the perfect ending to a great day