Up on the Roof

Back in January of this year, before the pandemic hit and the quarantine began, we spent five days in my hometown New Orleans celebrating our 49th anniversary. We stayed in a condo down in the French Quarter just off Canal Street. (I posted lots of those pictures on Facebook for the dates January 20-24 2020. I also posted about our anniversary trip on those days in this blog.) Isaiah 22:1 (NIV) states a fairly realistic summary of life in the French Quarter...What troubles you now that you have all gone up on the roofs, you town so full of commotion, you city of tumult and revelry?

We spent our days seeing sights in the Crescent City such as City Park, the World War II Museum, The Insect Emporium, the Riverwalk Mall, and the French Quarter Flea Market. There were plenty of childhood memories conjuring up in my mind. In spite of some rain, we had a good time.

View from Bluegreen Club La Pension -- Up on the Roof!

Evenings we investigated our quaint and mystical resort. It had lots of cultural artifacts in addition to two floors with rooftop areas and panoramic views of the surrounding Quarter. It reminded me of a favorite song from my Rock and Roll years as a boy, Up on the Roof. The song was written in 1962 and quickly was made popular by the Drifters and later James Taylor.

Up on the Roof

When this old world starts getting me down and people are just too much for me to face

I climb way up to the top of the stairs and all my cares just drift right into space

On the roof, it's peaceful as can be; and there the world below can't bother me

Let me tell you now...

When I come home feelin' tired and beat, I go up where the air is fresh and sweet (up on the roof)

I get away from the hustling crowd and all that rat-race noise down in the street (up on the roof)

On the roof, the only place I know where you just have to wish to make it so

Let's go up on the roof (up on the roof)

At night the stars put on a show for free and, darling, you can share it all with me

I keep a-tellin' you...

Right smack dab in the middle of town I've found a paradise that's trouble proof (up on the roof)
And if his world starts getting you down there's room enough for two up on the roof.

Pleasant memories are wonderful thoughts to have whether remembering from my pillow-induced dreams during the night, or daydreaming from a favorite recliner in my bonus room after lunch. A favorite song often helps with that journey into reliving the past. Music can carry me away to the safety and imagery of a few moments Up on the Roof.

Anniversary Getaway Day Four

D-day! No, we didn't return for a repeat performance of the Normandy Invasion at the WWII Museum. Today was actually our 49th anniversary. As with that episode on the beaches of France, we awoke to overcast skies and a steady drizzle.

Our first destination was the Audubon Butterfly Garden and Insectarium. We spent two hours learning about insects, spiders, butterflies, and beetles with a few birds and reptiles thrown into the mix. There were things to see and touch. There was even a concession stand where the braveheart could sample cricket king cake, chocolate-covered waxworms, and various bug dips. That experience left us hungry for some real food.

We walked several blocks to the IHOP on Canal Street for a hearty pancake and eggs lunch. After feasting our plan was to ride the trolley to the end of Canal Street and then walk the short distance to the Riverwalk Mall. Because of a barricade set where the Hard Rock Hotel partially collapsed last fall, we were beyond where the RTA ran. Once we figured that out, we decided to walk to the mall. It started raining again. By the time we made it to that destination, I was tired.

We took our time window shopping. Upon reaching the food court at the other end, we sat and watched the Mighty Mississippi. The walk back to our resort took what energy we had left. We rested the remainder of the afternoon and watched Hallmark movies until bedtime. Happy Anniversary to us!