Hurrican Nate Rolling Into the Big EasyThe Greater New Orleans Bridge moments before Hurrican Nate arrives
Everyone should experience the city of New Orleans . The city also known as the "Big Easy" due to the laid back attitude of the locals. I was raised near the city myself and have visited, "Nawlins" many times as a young child and adult. I do not recall ever being there when a hurrican rolled into the city however. New Orleans is below sea level which essentially makes it a fish bowl. Not the best place for a person to be in a hurricane, however the city of New Orleans and it's people have always taken it in stride. The locals pull on their rubber boots and grab some party goods, play games a party and proceed to party through the storm. Hurricane parties are thrown in the local bars on Bourbon Street and along the French Quarter and the music can be heard on the old city streets until the power goes out and then it continues under candle light and lanterns. Laissez les bons temps rouler ( Let the good times roll ) Yes, hurricanes are a time to party in New Orleans, at least Category 1 hurricanes are. I remember reading about a bar in the French Quarter that stayed open during Katrina . This is evidence of how serious the people of New Orleans take having a good time. Katrina was a different story and not the one I am talking about in this blog. Just for the record, I don't condone staying during a hurricane in New Orleans . Evacuate if told to do so by the authorities.
The Steamboat Natchez, an old historic paddle wheel steam boat, cruises up the Mississippi River along the edge of the city giving tours to the happy tourist, wedding parties and locals who want to cool off and enjoy the breeze. The day that Hurricane Nate rolled into the mouth of the Mississippi was no different. My travel companion, Natalie and I happened to be one of those folks who was onboard for the 11:30 am tour that morning. The jazz music filled our ears, the wind gusting periodically and the historian on the loud speaker telling tales of the city and past hurricanes such as Betsy and Camille and the notorious Katrina. The sea gulls soared in the gusty winds along the steamboat as we made our way up the Mississippi River. The clouds started as a light gray covering of the sky and quickly, within the hour, started to change into the most violent ominous color of purple. The gusty winds became a constant strong wind as the whitecaps on the river began to form. The steamboat turned back towards the port where we boarded. Great time for this gypsy to photograph the incoming bad weather. I must admit that I became a little anxious as the wall of darkness started to encroach upon the city. Literally the wall of fury started to move with purpose straight up the river. By the time we got back to the unloading dock , the Greater New Orleans Bridge had completely disapeared into the mist and fog and moments later a wall of some of the heaviest rainfall I had experienced marched from the paddle on the boat to the bow . Folks were gathering like little chicks trying to exit the Natchez Steamboat. My friend Natalie and I waited our turn then hustled to the car. We both laughed like a couple of kids. Their is something to say about the thrill of doing an adventure in a risky situation. Is this what a couple of empty nest 50 year old women do in the beginning of the golden years ? Maybe. Then the drive out of the city and across Lake Ponchartrain in the Category 1 hurricane was a matter of white knuckling and remembering to breathe. We made it out in one piece, and it turns out that Hurricane Nate made a sharp turn soon after and headed to the east . We escaped the worst of it and made it back to northshore without incident.
My favorite photo of the trip was the New Orleans Bridge, moments before Hurrican Nate made his arrival known to New Orleans. The tour was a very hasty one to say the least. We must return to the Big Easy again to photograph all the city has to offer. So much history and tales to be told there.
The Gypsy From Nowhere
