I travel to visit relatives a few times a year, to the mountains most weekends, and in my dreams every night. Exploring new lands, people, dining experiences and cultures is one of my favorite pastimes. I just returned from California where I enjoyed the seafood, sourdough bread, shopping, and friendly beautiful people. Now I’m in the great state of Louisiana. It’s another Wild Ride!
Danny and me and a booty bomber.
After landing in the French Quarter of New Orleans, my husband Danny and I headed down to the Oyster Festival, located on the soft shoulder of the Mississippi River. This event provided my first brush with NOLA (New Orleans Louisiana) culture. The women dressed in appropriate attire for 80+ degree weather. Many wore skirts and dresses, but what really stood out was on their feet.
Girls in boots.
Families rocked the boots.
Men in boots.
Love the cowboy boots!
Color coordinated boots.
I loved them and soon understood why so many opted for the colorful rubber slip-ons. Mud. The mighty Mississippi has its way of making itself known. New Orleans is built eight feet BELOW sea level! The few skyscrapers in town are built on steel i-beams driven into bedrock 75 feet below the surface while many homes and structures in the French Quarter sink.
The infamous New Orleans’ levies were never anchored into bedrock. Floating over 75 feet of mud and silt, they held back the river until Katrina blasted into town nine years ago. The wimpy levies burst and the muddy river flooded 80% of the town. When it rains, the grassy areas puddle and ooze.
With or without boots, the people of New Orleans love to dance!
I need to buy those rubber boots!
Slimed.
Much better!
Where will you rock out this summer?
I had no idea about the boot culture! 🙂 I lived in New Orleans for a couple of years when I was a kid. I’ve got great memories!
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Oh I bet you do have great memories! I love their history and how the NOLA people embody it in their culture. They really have their own style. We had so much fun immersing ourselves in it! The boots make sense with all the mud at the parks! You can’t see, but those are Fleur de Lis on my boots. The NOLA symbol!
Thanks Coleen!
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I lived for ten years in Louisiana and spent a lot of time in NOLA myself. They are lovely people and know how to let loose and party. It looks like you had a great time. I can’t wait to go back.
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It was a lot of fun! The food was amazing and I loved how we were surrounded by history. It was a big change from Boulder where we are all about fitness! Luckily, we walked everywhere and I didn’t gain any weight!
I bet it hasn’t changed a bit since you where there!
Thanks for stopping by and following the Wild Ride!
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Love your boots. I live in an island paradise and I’ll be rocking out barefoot right where I live this summer. In winter when I dawn my Helly Hansen boots I’ll think of you and this post.
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Thank you! They are a lot of fun! Wow!! When did you move? A-basin is still open. We may ski this weekend!
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We lived there for a while. Always a reason to party! Always something to do. Always more pictures than you can possibly take.
(Boots are a good idea) Street performers, coffee, antiques, food, and music! How can it get better…oh, bugs and humidity you get used too….well, the humidity anyway! Enjoyed your trip!
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Thanks Phil! So did we. I loved that the culture was so different. It always changes my perspective when I come back home.
I will not miss the humidity!!!!
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Great photo blog. Loved all the boots, especially yours. Congrats! You officially became a NOLAn. Also, love your Fedora!! 🙂
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Thanks so much!!
My hat is from LA! I’ve already worn the boots in Denver yesterday. They got some double takes, but made sense in the rain!!!
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Double takes, double duty, double pleasure! Why not?
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EXACTLY!!!
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Love the boots. When in Nawlins, do as the Nawlineons do. Great post.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
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Thanks Patricia! I fit right in… 🙂
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Ahh, the humble ‘wellie’ has never been the same since they started colourising rubber!
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And then they added the pointy toe and a heel! Yahoo!!!!
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Love The Big Easy! Been a long time since I have been there and hope to go this fall when the weather is cooler and its not as crowded. I better get me some rubber booties!
Looks like you all had a blast!
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You made New Orleans even cooler, Susie!
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Ha! Thanks Hook!
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U got mean kicks.
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Thanks Carl! They are super mean! “)
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Booty bomber! hahahaha actually LOL’ing. Looks like a fab trip!
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It was so much fun and I actually lost weight since we walked all day and night!!!
Although there was a better photo taken of me, I chose the booty bomber! That was too hilarious not to share!
Thanks!
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Ahh! I love the pointy cowboy rain boots in rockin’ patterns! And my rain boots are boring steel gray. Boo! 🙂
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I have a boring gardening pair too, but I’ll be saving these cowboy rain boots for mud season in the mountains!!!
Thanks Jackie!
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Ah, what I wouldn’t do for a little bit of humidity, right now! Looks like fun 🙂
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It was like stepping into a lake and it hadn’t even hit the 90’s in humidity. If the air was still I would get soaked! 🙂
Thanks Alarna!
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Oh your boots are just great! You fit right in! I have been to New Orleans a few times pre-Katrina and just fell in love with the city. I hope I can visit again some day. I’ll be sure to bring some colorful boots. 🙂 Great adventure, Susie!
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Thanks for stopping by to tour with me! 🙂 The boots are surprisingly comfortable! I have wide feet too!
It is a very cool place. The NOLA people are so resilient!
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Dude looks like you and Danny had an awesome time! And I’m so glad you found some awesome boots to match the Wilde Rider. Those are awesome … you wear them well my friend! Rock them in Colorado.
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Good for you Susie! I love your Wild Rides and live vicariously through them since I am unable to travel like I used to. One place I have never visited is New Orleans. And everyone who visits just raves about it. So glad you and hubby enjoyed it. I hope you picked up a pair of those boots. Those are classic. I have a feeling they’d be put to good use in some of your ventures in Colorado. 🙂
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Nice boots and great pictures!
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Thanks Nelle!
Great to “see” you!
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I’m checking your blog out from the Pitch Party and just wanted to say hello! Looks like your having fun!
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Hey! I just found your comment! Glad you stopped by from Austins place. He sure knows how to have a party!
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