The difference between a gallery and a balcony

There is a difference between a gallery and a balcony.  A balcony does not have pillars or beams that come up from the ground to support it. Typically, balconies are narrower.  Galleries are usually wider- often, the width of the sidewalk below- and they have posts to hold them up from the ground level.  I said before arriving in New Orleans that one of my wishes was to sit on a balcony and have a drink, overlooking the street.  It turns out that you are far more likely to be able to do that on a gallery, not a balcony.  I only make the distinction because this is a gallery: 

Anyhow, check the last item off the list- we had a drink on a gallery overlooking Bourbon Street, of all streets.  Our last day in town started with the five of us heading to breakfast.  Jane’s airport shuttle was coming just before lunch time, so we all had one last meal together at The Ruby Slipper, a spot that was recommended to us, but way too busy the first day we were in town.  Dad, Danny and Cas all actually ordered the same thing: the smoked salmon omelet.  Sounds pretty strange to me, but all three of them seemed happy.  I was also happy with my more traditional breakfast.  It was good to be all together one more time.  Our mission was to pick up some pralines after that, so off we went, on a candy run.  Praline shops- the ones that make the treats in-house- are the best smelling places in all of New Orleans.  We walked past a few, sniffing around in the doorways on the way to a specific one Cas wanted us to find: Aunt Sally’s.  Somewhere on the way, we got to a pretty fantastic courtyard whose entry was adorned with a national parks sign.  Through the door and down the passage, a park ranger answered questions about the nature preserves, parks and generally pretty, wild places in the bayou area.  After the diversion to chat with a park ranger and the mission to find pralines, it was time to get Jane back to the hotel so she could meet up with the airport shuttle.  

After we saw Jane off, we were four.  We walked over to the Hotel Monteleone to sit at the Carousel bar when it opened at noon- except it opened at 4 pm today.  Apparently, their hours are different on weekdays and such.  Dang.  So we headed back to the national park courtyard, as there was supposed to be a film about the Mississippi River that we didn’t have time to watch earlier in the day.  When we finished the movie, we decided to head back or one last hurricane at Pat O’Brien’s.  Sounds smart, right?  So, their temporary hours were taped to the door.  No Pat-O on Tuesdays for the time being.  We were really batting a thousand, there, until we looked at the place across the street and saw people sitting at tables on the gallery.  I wonder... Do you think?  I’ll go ask.  The man at the door said to go in head to the stairs, take a right at the top and let them know we wanted to sit outside.  I’m telling you, even with the rattling groaning street sounds and the consistent construction noises, I think Dallas patios will forever pale in comparison to the Gallery at Coronet.  In Dallas, you’re lucky if your patio table at a bar or restaurant looks out onto a decent looking parking lot instead of a really ugly one...  

It was the perfect thing to do.  We stayed there for a few beers- probably the last of our day-drinking for a while- and listened to some live music starting up at a bar below.  It was good music, too.  I don’t think any of the four of us had a single bit of desire to go exploring at that point.  It was perfect just to sit on a gallery, drink a beer and listen to music filter up from the street level until it was time to head back.  When we did, we picked up our luggage from the Hampton (again, we were very pleased with them and their service), called a cab and got to the airport with time to spare.  

All in all, this was a great trip.  I was glad Dad wanted to do it for his birthday, and I was really happy with each addition to the group.  I mean, I knew Cas was in, and I was really happy Danny was on board, but when Jane texted that she had booked a flight, I was over the moon- it was going to be fantastic.  When Jeff, Reema and Jack signed on, I knew this was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure.  This trip was my favorite present I have ever given a person, and I can’t think of anyone who would appreciate it more than my dad.  

Happy Birthday, Dad.  Hope you keep on Chooglin’ 

Photo album: https://photos.app.goo.gl/chay3CBSmG5aSwXr6