Jackson and most of his relatives at graduation.

 I say most of his relatives, because, sadly, Trish and Russ could not make it.  Fortunately St. John streamed the graduation, and they watched from Winnipeg.  These photos were taken before the ceremony, after I finally figured out the time release on my camera. 

I am including just the best shots.  Believe me, this is a wise decision.  

But what a wonderful day.  Extremely well handled by St. John's, with good social distancing, etc.  The highlight  of the day (besides Jackson receiving his diploma) was the speech by the Valedictorian, Michael Maddison, who courageously spoke of coming out, of his acceptance by his family, his confrontations, and his times, both good and bad, at St. John's.  The Graduates roared their approval, the majority of the crowd sprang to their feet and applauded, and it left an enormous impression on everyone. 

Here are a few photos. 

With Don in New Orleans

This photo should have been added at the very end of the blog, after Don and I arrived in Atlanta.
This is at Neal's house.
L to R: Doug, Matthew, Neal holding Silas (I gave him a quick music lesson), Don, Sally

 Don fulfilled his promise to show me the best of New Orleans. Here is a record of my first (and probably last) visit to Nola.  A very varied experience indeed. 

My first meal in Nola was barbecued Oysters with Blue Cheese, and I payed for that, no tums available. My second night was at Dickie Brennan's Steak House, where I had the best steak since Alaska.

My second full day was the drive to Grand Isle and birding.  The birds are in a previous blog, here are a few pictures from that day.

A huge live oak on the way to Grand Isle

At the Grande Isle State Park.

What a wonderful structure.

Back at the Wyndham French Quarter, from my room, the Mississippi, evening.
Awaiting for Don's arrival on the train.

And the next morning, on our way to breakfast.

I discovered that Royal Street is one of the world's great antique centers.

Jackson Square, and St. Louis Cathedral

Don with a brief moment of calm.

St. Louis Cathedral, and Andrew Jackson statue.

Don's promised trip to the Cafe du Monde.  
Baguettes and coffee, and jazz!

Serenaded by tenor sax, two drummers, and tuba.  The saxophonist was from the South of France. 
We traded musician's jokes.

A live oak in the square. 

On the way back, Don went ahead to the hotel, and I dawdled in as many antique shops as I could.

An enormous gold and silver collection by Tiffany.

Remarkable antique gun collection

Don met me for lunch at the Courtyard of the Two Sisters, for a great omelette and more jazz. 

The famous New Orleans ironwork, everywhere. 

And another promise checked off, a paddle-wheel steamboat trip on the Mississippi.  This is the
"City of New Orleans"

And the steam calliope!  Unbelievably out-of-tune volumn.
A terrific jazz trio on board, however, very tasty, elegant.  

Wonderful sights, and education, along the river.  

The second largest sugar refinery in the world (No. 1 in Brazil).

Typical barge tug.

Fantastic seamanship, perfect docking in heavy winds. 
Don and I went to dinner at the Desire oyster bar, a destination he and Mary found many years ago. 
I had gumbo, and Shrimp Estouffe, OMG.  After dinner, Don and I tried to find some jazz, but the Preservation hall was closed (on tour), and another venue was closed.  We walked Bourbon street, 
and heard very, very loud rock bands, no acoustic music anywhere.  A shame.  

Don is his train compartment.  Twelve hours, and no deck of cards!  But what a treat to share that part
of his monumental continental train trip.  We were taken in by Sally and Neal, and I got to 
see Neal's great bird photography from Texas.  
Thank you, Don, for inspiring me to come down and join you in Nola!
Now we are trying to come up with something for our 80th. birthday trip next year. 

National WWII Museum. New Orleans

 On my first day in NOLA, it rained out my birding, so I spent time in the National World War II Museum, a huge multiplex with immersive experiences of all phases of the war.  I was impressed by the way in which the museum focused a great deal on individual experiences, with many interviews with veterans, and huge amounts of video.  Naturally I gravitated towards the artifacts, especially the planes, all of which I studied, modeled, and admired. 

Here are photos from the museum. 

The great Supermarine "Spitfire", probably Britain's finest fighter.

The Douglas C-47, the longest-lasting plane in history, still flying in some parts of the world. It first flew in 1935, which give it 86 years of service.

The German "Enigma" code machine

Messerschmidt Bf-109  Along with the Focke-Wulf Fw190, the backbone of the Luftwaffe.

Remarkable collection of Japanese weaponry in near-perfect condition. 

The legendary 75mm Pack Howitzer, hugely important in the Pacific island campaigns.

Curtis P-40 Warhawk.  Vastly inferior to the Zeros in agility, it almost made up for it in 
the pilot's skills, and its durabililty.  Famous in China as a "Flying Tiger". 

ag

Gruman TBF Avenger, the most widely used and effective torpedo bomber of WWII. 
It sank both super battleships Yamato and Musashi.

B-25 Mitchell medium bomber.  This one has been turned into a gunship, with 14 .50 machineguns firing forward, and some had a 37mm. canon (one had a 75. mm!)

Douglas SBD Dauntless.  Most successful action was at Midway, where they sank one and damaged three Japanese carriers. 

The great Boing B17 Flying Fortress.

North American P-51 Mustang, believed by many to be the top fighter of WW2.

And finally, one of my favorites, the Vought F4U Corsair.  This was the type of plane "Pappy" Boyington flew, with 28 enemy shot down, and who was awarded a Purple Heart, the Navy Cross, and the Medal of Honor.  The highest number shot down by an American pilot was Richard Bong, with 40, all in
a Lockheed P-38, my absolute favorite of WW2.