Just got back from our 'exploratory visit' to New Orleans last weekend and struggling to write the synopsis. The reason for my struggle in documenting the results of the is directly related to the most paramount command by the protagonist of Never Remove the Cornerstone—Jules Bayonne—his almost-haunting "Enjoy the Journey!" You see, I have absorbed the fullness of this one comment and somehow convinced two of our dearest friends to accompany us to search for the ideal venue to host the "Cornerstone Megabus Tour" in New Orleans, scheduled for mid/late-August 2019.
Jeanie, my lovely niece from North Carolina suggested to me at Trellis' birthday celebration: "Uncle B, we should all just go down to New Orleans and do that thing!" Now, this is one thing for certain, If Jeanie and me concoct an idea, an adventure is bound to be a part of the equation.
Within a few feet earshot from Jeanie's declaration, J.B.(not to be confused with 'JayBee'), also known as 'Sly,' took notice and said, "I'll go down there with you to prep for your ('prodigious') return to your hometown, but I don't want to drive my truck down there!" It was then that I realized again, how special J.B. and Nana were as 'family,' because J.B. wasn't all that excited about going to NOLA, and Nana had been there enough times to not be moved about going to 'The Big Easy' for a weekend jaunt. They went because Janice and I asked them to come with us! How awesome!
I am often asked. "What's the book about?"
Well, the truth is, Cornerstone is thirty-two chapters, three hundred-eleven pages, one photograph of an enigmatic, endearing, abiding personality, all systematically presented in a fashion which strongly suggests that the reader is peering into a mirror and discovers 'the journey' is much like 'their journey!'
So, after a few 'test events,' Cornerstone takes its 'dog and pony' show to New Orleans, thanks to an exciting and wholly-successful pre-planning trip, summarized as follows:
4-12-19 7:15 a.m. Interstate 10, two miles east of Interstate I-110, Biloxi exit
B: "It's too early to go into New Orleans, but I recommend we go to Biloxi Beach!"
Bret: "Let's try Treasure Bay, first!"
J.B.: "That's the casino shaped like an old ship?"
B: "Used to be—before Katrina! It’s no longer on the beach—no longer a ship, either!”
Bret: "I'll just play the twenty-five cents slots—no more than twenty dollars!"
4-12-19 7:40 a.m.
Watched the pelicans dive for food from the pier!
A bit of documented 'relevant' history!
It reads:
CIVIL RIGHTS WADE-INS
"On May 14, 1959, April 24, 1960 and June 23, 1963 the Biloxi beach front was the site of planned civil rights wade-ins demanding equal access to the public beach. On April 24, 1960, several citizens, both black and white were injured and arrested, including the leader of the wade-in, physician, Dr. Gilbert R. Mason Sr. This series of protests gave birth to the Biloxi branch of the NAACP, major voter registration in 1960, and a federal court ruling opening the beach to all citizens."
4-12-19 7:56 a.m.
B: "What do you feel like eating for breakfast?"
J.B.: "Sausage, grits, eggs, bacon...breakfast!
B: "Cool, I know just the place!
Beau Rivage!
4-12-19 8:15 a.m.
★★★★★ Rating: 5 - Review by a TripAdvisor user! I agree!
We ate so much food! Beau Rivage is a must, if you're going to New Orleans from anywhere east of Mobile and you need an awesome 'stopping point.'
Beau Rivage, the French term meaning 'beautiful shore,' is owned and operated by MGM Resorts International. You know how MGM does it!Just take a look at the properties MGM operates in Las Vegas—including Bellagio, Mandalay Bay, MGM Grand, and The Mirage. 'Top shelf!'
4-12-19 10:05 a.m. 
Back to Interstate 10 West to New Orleans!
Janice and I had the honor of spending a moment with Dr. Sherry Bachus, the Associate Professor/Acting Chair/Director, Child Development & Family Studies at Souther University at New Orleans (SUNO) on Friday afternoon. Thank you SUNO for being! I am a proud graduate (class of 1976) of this awesome establishment!
As of the date of our visit to SUNO, this structure, the new 49,700 square foot building for the College of Education and Human Development was being readied for occupation before month's end. This structure is part of Southern University at New Orleans’ post-Hurricane Katrina development of the SUNO Lake Campus.
Moments after visiting SUNO, we visited Community Book Center at 2523 Bayou Rd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119 and gained wondrous and marvelous wisdom from 'Mama Jennifer' (Ms.Jennifer Turner), the center's store manager, as she shared tidbits of New Orleans history and life experiences. Community Book Center, Ms. Vera Warren-Williams, Mama Jennifer and her support folks are like a 'precious gem' in the city! We're coming back for more, and we're bringing more friends with us!
We stopped at
The New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History and Culture (NOAAM),
after the museum's grand reopening located at 1417-1419 Governor Nicholls Street—our arrival approximately twenty-four hours (April 11th from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) but were genuinely welcomed by, executive director and curator Gia Hamilton and invited to tour the museum. The future of NOAAM appears to be extremely encouraging. We look forward to the well-deserved future success of The New Orleans African American Museum of Art, History and Culture!
4-12-19 7:24 p.m.
On the way to
Cafe Maspero on Decatur and Toulouse Streets, stopped to take a classic photo of the most recognized landmark in New Orleans!
A quick walk through
Aunt Sally's Original Pralines at 810 Decatur Street—when we come back in August, we'll take some folks to the St. Charles Street location! Hopefully, we get to take the historic St. Charles streetcar ride to Aunt Sally's next time.
We did enjoy Cafe Maspero, although the didn't have oysters on the menu anymore! Bummer! Well, we 'fixed' that later! (hint: Blue__)
I still like the idea of
The Court of Two Sisters Jazz Brunch as 'must do' on our tour, although J.B., a.k.a. 'Sly' broke down his historical rendition of the 'sisters,' for which I am unable to find credible written support for his contention! Nevertheless, I did dictate the comments card exactly as J.B. 'suggested!' Those 'babes' are still raking in the cash (not how J.B. said it)! It is worth checking out "the history at: https://www.courtoftwosisters.com/about-us/our-history. That thing about the
well still raises a few questions... Anyway, the 'historic' restaurant is located at 613 Royal Street,
Okay, so I flubbed the St. Charles streetcar ride on this visit—could not remember which direction on Poydras Street we were parked...but we did motor down St. Charles Street, right down to the end, where South Carrollton Avenue meets and had coffee, as the blustery winds and dropping temperatures warranted some 'comfort dessert' with some fresh-brewed, hot French roast at
laMadeline French Bakery & Cafe. 'Ms. Kim,' hooked us up!
4-13-19 8:30 p.m.
Our dinner plan required us to backtrack to the French Quarter for an evening at Acme Oyster Bar—our original first choice, but the 'parking incident' from earlier in the day dissuaded us from making that trek. Suddenly, I remembered how much I relished going to 'West End' back in the day and so I announced my 'big idea' to my crew. Janice responded first, saying I doubt anything we used to frequent is still there...the traditional establishments, yacht clubs and marinas! "Let's go see—it's in the direction heading to the hotel!
I navigated an easy left turn into the parking lot of "the newest addition to the New Orleans Lakefront area"(
http://www.thebluecrabnola.com/our-story) to try our long-awaited Louisiana oysters on the half-shell at
The Blue Crab Restaurant & Oyster Bar located at 7900 Lakeshore Drive in the socially elite West End Neighborhood of New Orleans.
We were not disappointed! Not by a long shot! In fact, our experience was so phenomenal, with oysters on the half shell presented one after another by our server (obviously a master-shucker), Darnell Amos and one 'Crab Trap' (libation) to J.B. and we were honored as the first audience to receive oratory of the 'Legend of Sly!' Right there at The Blue Crab Restaurant & Oyster Bar on Saturday night, April 13th, in the year of our Lord, history was made! You'll have to get the story from Sly himself—we are not allowed to repeat any parts of this masterful story without express consent! Anyhow, The Blue Crab Restaurant & Oyster Bar rates a five ★★★★★ out of a possible five! Gotta come back !
Sunday, 4-14-19 Time to head home—'grind time' early the next day, so a quick pick-up of beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe DuMonde, the on the road before 11:00 a.m.!
No problem, still had time for a pretty decent late lunch at
Wintzell's Oyster House in Montgomery.
We're gonna do this again—"bigly," in August! Stay tuned!
