NOLA Thanksgiving

Dear George, 

We are just back from an eight-day vacation in New Orleans with our sweet family: our son J, our daughter-in-law K, and our grandkids V and L.  Also K’s dad Ted had just arrived from Michigan, and her mom Linda had recently moved from Michigan to the Esplanade apartments at City Park.  This was the first time that all four grandparents had been together with the grandchildren — a special family occasion.  

We arrived on Monday, and Tuesday was Grandparents Day at St. Andrews School.  Here are the third and fourth graders doing a choral number.  Our grandson L in the red shirt is just to the right of the man in the checkered shirt, and our granddaughter V is three kids to his left.  Needless to say, we were enthralled with the children’s performances.  

Back at the house I was happy to spend time with the family dogs, Iko and L’il Paws, and I felt that Cody the cat was becoming friendly. 

On Thanksgiving Day we went to the fairgrounds for the horse races.  The races were good, but even better were all the New Orleans folk decked out in costumes. 

J and K’s friend Katie had a big Thanksgiving party.  Here V begins the collective reading of a poem about New Orleans.  

We had many good New Orleans meals during our stay.  This is Pier 424 Seafood Market on Bourbon Street.  Other highlights included NOLA (an Emiral Lagasse restaurant), Carmo’s (Caribbean), Felipe’s Taqueria, Desire, Cafe Beignet,  and, at home, J’s delicious beef brisket. 

I think Katja ate about 72 raw oysters during our stay.  Here we are at our favorite place, the Desire Oyster Bar in the Hotel Sonesta. 

We visited the French Quarter 3 or 4 times, including this nighttime scene on Bourbon Street. 

J took us to the Tulane-Navy football game.  We left when it appeared to be a Tulane blowout, but they wound up winning in a squeaker. 

We went to the new Pacific wing at the World War II Museum, and it was a powerful experience, particularly since my dad had been stationed there.     

Linda had us over for “game night” at her apartment complex.  I think it was my first time participating in three generations of a family playing poker and Trivial Pursuit.  Our grandson L was the best poker player.  Lots of fun.  

We love the New Orleans Art Museum,  The main exhibit this time was the Orleans Collection, originally assembled by Philippe II, the Duke of Orleans.

We also took in the movies: “Green Book” (terrific) and “Instant Family” (also good). 

Every time we visit New Orleans Katja is eager to go to Saks, which she claims is much better in NOLA than in Cincinnati. 

One of my favorite things about New Orleans is taking the Canal Street trolley from J and K’s house in Mid-City to the French Quarter.  It not only provides a two-mile tour of Canal Street, but the fee is a mere forty cents for seniors. 

We had our last family dinner out at Katie’s Restaurant in Mid-City.  Ted and I shared a muffeleta, and even half  a muffelata was too much for us.

The Ogden Museum of Southern Art is always a treat.  This time, bayou oil paintings by Newton Howard and Southern Photography.  Plus a duck blind for the clientele to explore.

Then, before we knew it, we were back in Cincinnati, greeted by a Wooly Mammoth in the airport.  Many thanks to J and K, Linda and Ted, for a happy family get-together.    

Love, 

Dave

Menominee Trip in November: A Photo Journey

Dear George,

We were surprised when our son J suggested a November trip to our Farm property in the U.P., but we quickly agreed.  J rented a car in Chicago, and we drove up to Menominee on a Thursday afternoon.  Farm was looking great.  Our Seattle niece and nephew, Jennifer and Greg, have been managing it as an Air BnB property, and, as the guest book comments indicate, it’s idyllic for visitors.  Here are a few pictures of the property.  

One of the most recent additions at Farm is the Wild Turkey Bar, situated in the forest a hundred yards beyond the fire pit. 

There is a goldmine of photo albums, letters, papers, and diaries from my parents, Vic and Doris, at Farm, and J and I spent a lot of time photographing the contents for posterity.  

We are always excited to visit the local thrift shops, i.e., the Goodwill and the St. Vincent de Paul on Main Street.  I bought a Green Bay Packers T-shirt and a “Menominee All-Stars” T-shirt this visit.  

There’s a new antique mall on Main Street across the St. Vincent de Paul, and its second floor contains the Rusty Wolfe art gallery.  It’s big-time art for the twin cities.  

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One of my favorite visits is the Spies Public Library in downtown Menominee.  They feature an oil painting by my dad, an excellent used book sale, Menominee historical books on sale, and a good view of the marina.  The Spies Library was a significant part of my childhood, and I’m always pleased to return. This trip we had an enjoyable conversation with director Cheryl Hoffman.  

Eating out is always a big part of our Menominee trips.  We were delighted that Schloegels Bayview Restaurant reopened under new ownership, and we enjoyed breakfast, pasties, and Swedish meatballs on three different trips.

Of course we had cheeseburgers and shakes at Mickey-Lu Bar B Q.  

And butterburgers with my cousins Ann and John Buscher at Culvers.  They always fill us in on twin city happenings.  

Our big night out was at Berg’s Landing, the twin cities’ premiere dining spot.  I had whitefish, and Katja had lamb chops.  

Seguins Cheese House was the best stop for local souvenirs, including Packers memorabilia.  

Our grandchildren’s babysitter taught them to play poker, they taught their dad, and their dad taught us.  J got a Royal Flush during our gaming.  

On Saturday night we went to see “Eurydice” at the Theater on the Bay.

 

This was a very nostalgic trip.  J has been visiting Menominee annually with us for 48 years, and Katja and I have been going together since 1958.  All that time with family photo albums brought back a ton of memories.  And it was the first time we’ve spent an extended vacation with J since he went off to college in 1987.  All in all, a fantastic trip.

Love,

Dave 

Autumn at Miami Whitewater

Dear George,

Before the sheepdogs passed away and before Donna moved to Nashville, we all used to go hiking at Miami Whitewater Forest some 30 or 40 times a year.  Now, last weekend was the first time I've been there in 2018 (due to my being too sedentary).  It was a good time to go.  Our autumn colors were delayed about two weeks this year because of wetter and warmer weather than usual.  The trees were a bit beyond their peak but still looking good.  Here are a few pics.

Love,

Dave