$173 on AA from BWI .... I'm still waiting until I see how some personal things turn out but still am hoping to make it. Stuart is definitely out as he will be stuck in SFO that weekend for training.

Put me on the maybe list. Love NOLA and want to show some support...

The mayor who moved his family to Dallas because the city isn't habitable? No, I'm not him.

Nice dig, bollar.

I'm wondering what I'll see when I get to Houma in roughly two weeks. I hear that with the increased citizenry (more than double the number of people than before, making it a much larger city), there is a constant stream of traffic everywhere.

I found a little bit of information on restaurants that are currently open or are opening soon here. If Irene's isn't open yet another option would be Tommy's Cuisine which already is. Great review in the link.

Please lets not have this disintegrate into another "citizens who deeply care for their city" vs. "visitors who love New Orleans" debate.

I'll say that after seeing the photos this weekend of what remains of bollar's beautiful home and knowing that he has personally been back into the city (whereas I have not), I'm certainly inclined to take his advice with more than a grain of salt. YMMV.

There are many restaurants open, including some of my favorites. If you happen to find yourself in New Orleans, you'll be able to find something good to eat.

***Please note update as of October 18***

When I went to cancel another Hilton reservation for November today, I noticed that my previously booked MSY Homewood Suites stay was somehow "missing" from the "my reservations" list...so I called the hotel and was informed that "I never should have been able to book that weekend online" and that they didn't yet know if they would be accepting any additional guests in December due to existing contracts with current clients. Further, I was told that they are not taking February reservations yet. While there may be several venues open again, and more will open by December, it's apparent from talking with and hearing comments from locals that it will take well into the New Year before even the mostly unscathed Quarter is ready to again receive visitors en masse.

I'm also hearing that local and federal relief agencies already have too many "volunteers" as it is, and that "one or two day" volunteers are highly discouraged from coming down due to the logistics of getting them organized for a such a minimum time commitment. With these developments, I am uncomfortable continuing to organize this Do. Although it was (I thought) a great idea at the time, it's becoming glaringly evident from comments and information that I've received in the past few days that this would be a somewhat "premature" trip back to the Big Easy, which is still anything but for most of its' residents. So, it appears my optimism has been tempered by the reality of the situation in New Orleans for the foreseeable.

As AA is giving full refunds (for future flight credit into July of next year per the AA website), so I believe at this point I'm going to "take the money and run"...and allow the Crescent City more time to catch her breath, more time for her to return to the grandeur, hospitable and welcoming destination that she so richly deserves to, and will, once again become. Just not this quickly.

That said, if anyone still wishes to attend and/or take over coordinating this weekend, please post here; I'll ask that this thread stay open until early November, at which time the others that were signed up will have time to make a decision for themselves as to whether to still go, or let this thread, and the Do, resurrect itself at a more appropriate time.

Very well put. ^

That review made my mouth water

Sooo..... Apparently I am a little slow and didn't catch this being canceled, DARN IT ALL! You know... y'all could all switch over to Atlanta and go to the Saints/Falcons game and root for the poor Saints that weekend (they need all the lovin' they can get!).

As for us, we are disappointed but are well aware of the housing situation in NOLA right now as many of our connections are keeping us apprised. I was really wondering how this would all work out. Water alone is still an issue for much of the town.

For those that are not aware we are T-4 days to departure. The whole family is packing into a 33' motor home (insert theme from the Deliverance here) and headed from Chugiak, Alaska to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. My teenager is going to build Habitat for Humanity Houses, I will hopefully be able to participate a little with that as well. It just depends with our younger children.

The smaller kids and myself will help out at coordination centers organizing donations for now (that are still coming in!), what will be needed after the first of the year that the little ones can help with we will just have to wait and see.

Mr. AinA is an industrial/commercial electrician with the IBEW and will be working for the union out of there.

I would like to point out this is not a money making venture for us, the wages are 1/2 what he would get in AK and we still have to pay to maintain our home in AK plus the joy of living in a 33' motor home all winter. Yee Haw!

SO... I am excited about all kinds of SE Do's this winter because we're going to need a few breaks! And man oh man, airfare out of Gulfport vs. Anchorage is SO CHEAP! You can go ANYWHERE! I am so excited.

AlisonfromAlaska

Alison, on those same dates we are having the PBI-FLL Meet. Some good Florida weather is the perfect antidote to an Alaskan December!