On the Road to New Orleans l April, 2015

Vicksburg, MS & New Orleans, LA

Bobby and I are over the moon as we begin our busiest wedding season yet. We will say "I Do" with more than 20 brides and grooms this year. What a gift! But, we understand the importance of feeding our wanderlust, so we hit the road before it all begins.

Our car hums along the highway, our favorite way to travel, and we stop in Vicksburg, Mississippi. What a treat to see family and friends, visit the bayou, and record some songs in a late night studio session. So peaceful here.

But, we can't stay away from New Orleans for long. It's my first visit to The Big Easy, and it's love at first sight. 

This place is alive and I'm swept up by its energy. The people have such pride for their city and I feel honored to be welcomed. We are met by The Kinfolk Brass Band within moments of stepping into The French Quarter. I sip a hurricane from Pat O'Brien's while Bobby's shutter clicks non-stop. This place is a sensory buffet.   

As the sun sets on our first day we dine on delicious seafood and hit Frenchmen Street for an all-night art festival and music at d.b.a. We walk back to our airbnb rental in Tremé, always happy to stay in a home away from home. My dogs are barking and I look forward to a bike rental in the morning. 

After a rainy morning, perfect for breakfast at The Ruby Slipper, the sun comes out, and we are ready to ride. The American Bicycle Rental Company hooks us up with a couple of cruisers. These guys are lovely and really take care of their customers. We head to City Park and marvel at the oak trees and sculpture gardens. Now this is how to see the city!  
When I think New Orleans. I think music. We go to see a show and wait in the rain, happily sipping on some toxically green looking "hand grenades" until we no longer mind the drops. The line-up is well worth it; we sit on cushions in the front row, face to face with the Preservation Hall All-Stars. These guys are the deal! No photos allowed, but I'll tell you, the trombone player had to tilt his head up while playing, so as not to hit me in the face. This is heaven. 

The alarm goes off and it's very dark outside, I'm not sure we are going to make sunrise. But after some rallying, we bike towards the Garden District, headed to Lafayette Cemetery No 1. We are met by a tour guide, Jojo the cat. He's unofficial of course, but provides a thorough tour, staying with us for over an hour. It's magical here to meet the day here...and we stay until our stomachs can no longer wait for beignets. Nobody does them like Cafe du Monde, where the staff even agrees to wear a clown nose for us!

Every Sunday, Armstrong Park has a drum circle and dance from 3-5pm, The Congo Square Preservation Society. We stumble upon this in time to hear that this park is where Louis Armstrong's parents met. My heart soars as the drum line plays. I think, this is all too good to be true. And then Mama Jamilah asks me to come join the dance. This city is one of a kind. 

MmmmmmMuffaletta! Slaphappy and enjoying a lovely sunset by the Mississippi. 
Finding the Old Absinthe House on our final morning is super exciting. Nothing, nothing, beats seeing Bobby's face as he takes his first shot of absinthe. I savor it as we dance in the street with the Slick Skillet Serenaders. 

We can't leave without some kind of talisman or treasure. It comes in the form of a mini trumpet for Bobby. Clown sized, and easy to travel with, for the next time we come back. 

Thank you New Orleans. 

Story by: Kolleen Kintz

Photos by: Bobby & Kolleen Kintz