TulaneLSU's Top 10 miles walked along the Uptown parade route

Dear Friends,

Sometimes when I'm feeling down, I revisit some of the places that have meant a good deal to me. It gives me a sense of rootedness and belonging. My suspicion is that many of us feel like outsiders. We deal with these feelings in a variety of ways, some healthy, some not so healthy. Walking through the places that have helped make me who I am helps me. It doesn't always heal me, but rarely do I feel worse.

The simple act of walking is liberating. I average 100-110 miles every week. I've walked 50 miles in a day a time or two. The movement is good for the body, but it clears my mind and helps me see things that before were obscured or not visible at all. How much better is walking in places you know well and places you hope to know better. I don't think you can understand any place without having walked it over many times. Feet to pavement and dirt is an asexual consummation between person and place. It births new ideas, insights, and compassion.

Some people say that Christmas is a difficult time of year, especially when dealing with loneliness. For me, Mardi Gras brings that type of holiday grief. I won't go into the details, but part of my annual Mardi Gras melancholy sprouts from the envy a lonely person has being in the midst of such joy and community, yet feeling .

I walked St. Charles from Tulane University to Esplanade Ave and back several times this weekend. It's not a long walk, perhaps ten miles round trip. It is one of the best urban walks in America. I wore my Mardi Gras mask so no one would recognize me, but even it was probably unnecessary. Onlookers probably think I'm stolid if they notice me.

There's not a lot of reason most people in my past would remember me. I recognized many previous classmates along the route, most of whom are now married and with children. They stake their claim on the neutral ground, as though their tarp, tents and ladders give them temporary ownership of that postage stamp of real estate. Their parents did the same, so a little bit of entitlement is understood. They looked happy. Are they?

Here are some of the things I noticed along the way. My apologies if you find no value in these stories or photographs. If you do, I am grateful, for then I serve some purpose, if only to bring a small bit of enjoyment to a group of ethereal friends.


One of the great views of the city is walking from Prytania to St. Charles on Josephine Street. Its view of the Eiffel Tower towered by the Pontchartrain Hotel is breathtaking. When the Prytania Street Presbyterian Church's massive stone structure was standing, it was far better. That building's 110 year history came to a close in a huge conflagration in 2011. It seemed suspicious to me.


I once believed crepe myrtles were a worthy tree. I've softened in that view and now those scrawny things are good for little more than to serve as bead trees along the route. Some think these are tacky, but on a sunny day, they appear beautiful with the polychromatic shine. On second glance, this appears to be a stunted or immature live oak.

The WW2 Museum continues its conquest of the Warehouse District. I've taken some heat for not listing it as a top four museum in the city, but it just doesn't do it for me. WW2 no longer interests me in any way.


Here's old Sam Meyer, affectionately known as Uncle Sam by some. These ladies, one wearing what looks like a modernist take on Cruella de Vil or perhaps just a skunk jacket, flirted with the man who has spent 80 plus years working there. He seems really to enjoy being in the store, and I wonder how long he would survive without it. Like I said a couple of weeks ago, you should get fitted by him as soon as possible. It's not long often that a man in his 90s continues working.


I was supposed to meet a family member for the Hermes Antoine's luncheon and march, but I stood him up. I did see Hermes and kept my head down so none of the members would ask me where I was.


The Quarter always looks its best during Mardi Gras after a good cold front. Several marching krewes added to the color and festive mood.


I appreciate people who lift high the Cross, especially in places where they may be attacked. This Bourbon St group was offering to pray with anyone who approached them. I prayed with them and felt God's presence even on that street filled with so much wickedness and depravity. Although our theologies and liturgical tastes likely diverge quite severely, I pray for these, my brothers in Christ.


At one bead balcony, the crowds were so thick there was no movement. Eventually a police car inched its way forward and I followed it.


I found myself in front of Rouse's just in time to hear fellow Delgado alumnus, Doreen Ketchens, perform her last song before calling it a day. The French Quarter was quickly emptying around 3, as people prepared for the parades.


Mark Riggs topped last week's TulaneLSU's Top 10 French Quarter street performers. This week his performance wasn't quite as good, and he seemed a little agitated. Crowds were definitely not as strong as one would expect on a beautiful Mardi Gras weekend day.