May 09, 2009

Shore house on the road.

Not Paris. Not even close. Just a Vegasified facsimile.

Hoo boy, have I been absent. A vacation from internet (!!!) and life was actually much appreciated. But note to family et al: If both of our mothers wind up in the hospital and our dog is attacked while we are out of town, it's OK to call and give us the heads-up. Really. It's OK.

As a result of vacation and aforementioned "fun, good times," blogging was about as important to me as, say, wisdom tooth extraction and toilet bowel cleaning (though not necessarily in that order). But here I am again, be that as it may. (You lucky dogs.)

I'm hoping to visit/catch up with all of you over the weekend. I'm off to a town-wide yard sale this morning in Avon, NJ, and I hit a boom-boom of a "second chance" garage sale at Black Eyed Susan's yesterday (more on that soon, but what better than a private yard sale and a meet-up another fabulous local blogger wrapped into one nifty package?). It made me happy to be home, and back among "my people."

I thought I'd share some pictures from our holiday, if nothing else to prove I wasn't a total hermit during my time off from Shore House Chic.

The Napoleon House in New Orleans is one of my Best Places to Stop for a Cocktail (especially a Pimm's Cup) for sure:


And if I could spend every day at the
New Orleans Jazz Fest (as in, 365 days a year), I just might. Especially when folks like Pete Seeger show up. I mean, he turned 90 this past week! Pete, this land is your land.


Colorful entertainment...




And my favorite band,
The Avett Brothers (with a young fan). A more talented, passionate, polite (yes; I said polite!) group of musicians you'll be hard pressed to find.



Then it was off to Vegas, where our room (OK, our second room -- after we asked to be switched from the one that looked out onto a cinder block wall and HVAC units) overlooked a
familiar skyline, mountains, and utter neon-fueled chaos.


I liked downtown, where everything was old school...




And it was hard to obey this sign...


...when
we went here:


'Cause I kind of wanted to touch everything...



We also got to take our first (and hopefully not last!) helicopter ride, over the
Hoover Dam...



Then on to the Grand Canyon, which...just left me speechless:




A flight back over the
Vegas Strip at sunset:


And the happy couple returns from an unforgettable American road trip.


20 comments:

heidi said...

wow. Thanks for sharing that... I LOVE the vegas signs! And the cute boy band.... and everythang! xoh

Caren said...

Looks awesome! I loved New Orleans when I went there years ago. You're familiar with the Mummer's parade I'm guessing. Some of your photos sure look mummerish.

The Husband is headed to Vegas tomorrow for... well, you know. Shhhhh. I'll keep you posted.

Caren said...

I forgot to add, didn't you just LOVE the Liberace museum? I went there when I was working as a museum educator and I thought it was so well done yet, so ostentatious at the same time but of course, it couldn't be anything BUT ostentatious. Fun stuff.

Unknown said...

Hi Laura,
Sounds like you had lots of fun. I love NOLA, and was there for the French Quarter Festival a week or so before you were.

Hope you find lots of treasures today!

Enjoyed reading about your traveling adventures,
Diane

Linda Lou said...

What a blast of a vacation you had Laura---always wanted to visit New Orleans, some day...been to Vegas, it sure has changed, better I think, hope you ate and drank well-great photos...

Keetha Broyles said...

Oh wow - - - to ALL of it.

black eyed susans kitchen said...

Were those Liberace's clothes...some how I could just see him in the feathers. Great pictures..you are such a dare devil!
♥, Susan

desiree said...

Looks like you had a great time. I've never been to New Orleans, but have always wanted to go. I was 14 the last time I visited the Grand Canyon. Trust me I didn't appreciate it then. We're thinking of doing that soon. I'm so happy for you! Missed you bunches but glad you got to get-away. So good for your soul to re-fresh.

Local Girl said...

This looks like one fabulous holiday!! I'm so jealous, I've never been to New Orleans! Thanks so much for sharing all those wonderful pictures xx

Sue said...

Welcome back....I missed you!! What a whirlwind trip you had...from N.O. to the Grand Canyon...I'd be lucky to get to Six Flags tis year on vacation...I love the neon signs in Vegas...they are truly "Vegas Tacky"....and a helicopter ride...your brave. I went on a New Yor Airways years ago...which is more like a flying bus and I almost had a stroke....Happy your back.

Sue said...

Oh I forgot....when you get a chance to visit the blog I have a post a few back showcasing Jersey Digs.....one at the shore too!!

Joyce said...

Welcome back Laura! I was ready to put out an "Laura" alert!! I'm glad you were out and about having a good and deserved time. Did both mom's land in the hospital and your sweet pup get attacked?!!

Hugs... xoxo

Maureen said...

Welcome back! If you hadn't posted, I was going to email you! I am glad you were off having a great time. What a trip(s). I have always wanted to go to the Jazz Festival. I bet it was fabulous.

Jean Martha said...

Awesome pics! I thought for sure the post would end with an elopement!

beachy in the burbs said...

Looks like so much fun!!! Glad to see you had a great time!

j.cro said...

Hope everyone's health is back on the mend.
Sorry I didn't make it to the yard sale. I don't even know where to begin about why I missed it.
I'll write you an email.

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

WOH! What a vacation! You really got to do and see so much you lucky girl!

I've been to all the places you have but not all at once ..lol and I never braved a helicopter ride as yet ..but I did fly over the Grand Canyon in an airplanes as was amazed by it form so high up as well as at its rim.

Hope you won lots of $ in Vegas!

Fifi Flowers said...

Looks like FUN!
I have not been to Vegas in years... let's just say over 20... I think I should plan a trip... hmmmm
ENJOY your week!
Fifi

pve design said...

I hope you got to meet blogger Val, Visual VAmp or maybe there was no time for that.
Looks like a Fun trip with a capitol F!
pve

Anonymous said...

What a fantastic vacation you had, Laura! Loved the photos, it felt as if I were there. Also loved the write up, as always :)

That said, what a hell of a Yankee comeback last night, and off of Joe Nathan no less!