An Anniversary Odyssey: Our Trip to New Orleans

It happens occasionally that we turn to the “Savor” aspect of this blog. Today is one of those days. We took a trip to the Big Easy and it was a feast for the senses! And well, we did a lot of “savoring.” New Orleans offered unforgettable experiences: The bold flavors of Cajun cuisine, getting swept away by the music scene, and discovering local art. But the journey home? Let’s just say it involved trading airplanes for a rental car and a 14-hour cross-country drive!

Originally, Kent made plans and arrangements for a work conference, then realized it would fall on our wedding anniversary, so he asked me to tag along! The revised plan was to go a couple of days early to have some fun, and then I’d fly home in time to go to work, and Kent could dive into his conference. What followed is truly an odyssey.

Having previously enjoyed a fascinating port tour in Savannah, GA, I had hoped to find a similar experience in the Big Easy to learn more about the Mississippi River and the port of New Orleans. Unfortunately, my search didn’t turn up anything. But we were undeterred; we embraced the city’s other charms, diving headfirst into its culinary scene 😉

Saturday: A Seafood Boil for the Ages

After a pleasant afternoon flight on a Saturday in March, we arrived in New Orleans. We checked into the Saint Hotel on Canal Street, a beautiful historic building. After settling in, our stomachs rumbled and there was one place we were eager to try: Hot N Cajun.

We made our way to the boil house around the block from our hotel. Little did I know, my taste buds were about to lose their minds! We ordered their classic seafood boil, and got a steaming heap of lobster, shrimp, tender potatoes, sweet corn on the cob, and flavorful sausage, simmered in a rich, buttery broth that was absolutely infused with garlic. It was a hands-on feast – bibs and gloves, a pile of napkins, and the determination to dig in. The fresh seafood and the garlicky, buttery sauce was bold and unapologetic. On the first night of our trip, it was a highlight of our trip!

Sunday: Soul, Y’all!

After a leisurely morning in our room, we decided to venture out and experience one of New Orleans’ famed brunch spots. A short Uber ride took us to Cafe Sbisa on Decatur Street, a charming restaurant with a classic New Orleans feel. We were going for a “progressive brunch” so we started with appetizers.

My choice was the BBQ Shrimp & Grits, and oh my goodness, they were heavenly! The rich, smoky flavor of the shrimp, bathed in that classic New Orleans BBQ sauce, complemented by the creamy, stone-ground grits. As delicious as the food was, my attention was drawn to the incredible live band! Their energy filled the room, and their setlist was fantastic. They launched into a funkier-than-Stevie-Wonder rendition of “Very Superstitious,” followed by a string of Prince songs that had everyone tapping their feet. (See video below.)

Because we are gluttons, we strolled over to MRB Bar and Kitchen, where Kent ordered us fresh oysters, another must-try in NOLA. After that, we literally wandered through the streets, as you do in N’awlins. I was thrilled to stumble upon an open-air art fair! Kent knew I’d enjoy browsing the local artwork, so he didn’t mind heading over to the legendary Pat O’Brien’s for one of their famous Hurricanes.

Lost in the art, I discovered a collection of bold paintings by an artist named Artis Lewis (that is how he signed the painting!). His renderings of New Orleans street scenes were enchanting and I ended up purchasing a very cool little piece that now hangs in our basement bar, serving as a reminder of our wonderful time in the city. 

After soaking in the art scene, I indulged in a little self-care at Bee & Co on Royal Street. I purchased some moisturizer and treated myself to a facial. In the meantime, Kent returned to our room and chilled out.

That night, we relaxed in our room for a bit before the lure of live music called us out. Around 9:30 (that is LATE for us!) we hopped in an Uber and headed to the legendary Howlin’ Wolf on South Peters Street. We were there to see Sporty’s Brass Band, and they did not disappoint! Their energy was loud and infectious, the brass instruments blaring with soul. It was a howlin’ good time!  (See video below.)

Monday: Celebration

Monday marked a very special day – our 35th wedding anniversary! I had originally planned to catch an afternoon flight back home on Monday, however, we were having so much fun, we spontaneously decided to extend my stay for an extra day. I messaged my boss, rebooked my flight for Tuesday afternoon, and secured an extra day in the Big Easy.

While Kent was at his conference, I treated myself to some more relaxation: a very nice massage at Gravier Street Massage where I unwound for a full 90 minutes.

By 5:00 pm, Kent’s conference had wrapped up, and we met up to decide on dinner. We were thoroughly enjoying the Cajun and Creole, but if we were to maintain that trajectory, we needed a little break. We hopped in an Uber and headed to El Gato Negro, where we indulged in some Mexican food. It was a refreshing and flavorful break from the rich local fare. 

To cap off our anniversary evening, Kent led me to a sweet surprise: Kilwin’s Ice Cream! Their Mackinac Island fudge ice cream is my absolute favorite, and I was so happy to have enjoyed it in New Orleans.

Tuesday: Travel Troubles

Tuesday morning brought a twist. We woke up to news that had I flown out on Monday afternoon, per the original plan, I would have found myself stranded in Dallas! A significant weather system, stretching all the way from Dallas up to Chicago, was wreaking major travel havoc. I was relieved that I wasn’t stuck in Dallas as I prepared for my Tuesday afternoon departure.

The travel gods had other plans.

Soon after getting ready, I received a notification – my flight was delayed, and would likely be canceled! I sent another message to my boss, and with my travel plans up in the air, I ended up spending most of the day in our room, avoiding the rain and trying to figure out the next steps. In the midst of the travel chaos, I forgot to cancel the Uber I had scheduled and got stuck with the charge.

On the last night of his conference, Kent had dinner with his new connections. I was beginning to feel a little adrift with my travel plans in such disarray. I dined solo at a place called Olive. The good news? I would get to fly home with Kent!

Wednesday: The Great Escape Begins

We awoke on Wednesday with a renewed sense of determination. We booked an Uber for a mid-morning ride back to the airport. Upon reaching the gate, we waited… and waited. Our flight was delayed again due to the lingering weather issues. Then, a glimmer of hope – we were moved to a different flight! We boarded the plane, buckled our seatbelts, and just as we thought we were finally going to be on our way, we were told to deplane due to a faulty altimeter. At this point, we had checked our bags, and our optimism was fading away.

At the mercy of the weather and the airline, and faced with the prospect of being stranded somewhere, we decided that waiting indefinitely at the New Orleans airport was not the adventure we’d had in mind. Kent and I made the spontaneous decision to rent a car and drive home to Iowa! With nothing but the toiletries in our carry-ons, we left New Orleans around 4:30 pm, embarking on an unexpected 14 hour road trip. 

To entertain us during the long drive, we listened to the audiobook “Five Days at Memorial: Life and Death in a Storm-Ravaged Hospital,” a harrowing account of Hurricane Katrina. Driving through severe weather while listening to a story about a catastrophic hurricane might not have been wise. At times, the intensity of the narrative became almost overwhelming. We had to remind ourselves that we were not in Hurricane Katrina!

By evening, we had made it south of Memphis, the landscape darkening with ominous storm clouds and tornado warnings. A quick Walmart stop for undies and PJs was all we needed before we hunkered down in our hotel room while the storm passed over.

Thursday: The Long Road Home

Thursday brought us the hope of reaching home. As we drove north towards Memphis, we saw the aftermath of the severe weather we had heard about – trees uprooted and scattered debris lining the side of the highway.

We passed through Memphis, making a brief but poignant stop at the Lorraine Motel, the site where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated, a sobering moment of reflection amidst our travel chaos. We also took a quick look at Beale Street, a first for me!

Finally, after a full day of driving and navigating various weather patterns, we made it home to Iowa around 7:30 pm. We were exhausted, but filled with a strange sense of accomplishment!

Conclusion:

Our trip to New Orleans was certainly one for the books. What began as a conference trip and an anniversary celebration, quickly morphed into a whirlwind of culinary delights, soulful music, captivating art, and, ultimately, an unexpected cross-country road trip! You know what they say: “Sometimes the best adventures are unplanned!”

Have you ever had a trip take an unexpected turn? What’s your most memorable unplanned travel adventure? Share your stories in the comments below!