Joe and I spent several days in New Orleans last week. This Southern city has quite a reputation. Many people think of New Orleans as a hard-partying town that needs to be cleaned up, while others think of it as the city that Katrina washed away. And both of these ideas bare some truth. In 2005, the nation watched with horror as Hurricane Katrina brought catastrophic damage to New Orleans and surrounding Gulf areas. But in the three years since, much work has been done to rebuild the city. And although there is still work to be done, the city is eager to welcome tourists. Still many are hesitant to visit New Orleans because of its hard-partying reputation. And there is certainly a wild side to this city. But for many, the noise of Bourbon Street's party scene has drowned out the lovelier notes this city has to offer. There is so much more to New Orleans than Mardi Gras. It is a city rich with history, music and culture. I hope you will see the softer side of New Orleans through the images from our trip. Please scroll down to see the sites. Along the way we'll admire the architecture and foliage, sample Cajun cuisine, and roam the French Quarter searching for treasures. And as the jazz music plays on, you might just find that you have fallen in love with New Orleans.
