Bike ride to City Park, TaiChi at NOMA and the Sculpture Gardens, Abby Barnwell Gardeners

What do all these events gave in common: Bike ride to Voodoo, TaiChi at Museum, Free Sculpture Gardens, and the Abby Barnwell Gardeners???

They all are part of a wonderful free afternoon in one of America's greatest living cities - N'awlins ya'll!! Not a day passes without New Orleans Jazz playing, colors and flowers and weather, without good human interaction and dignity in our fellows. There are limitless options, too many, and we put ourselves against the ropes trying to achieve only the least of them: preservation of a few old structures, sacred properties and profane indignities of their management (by us humans).

One afternoon in a few short hours time we went for a bike ride out our own front yard. Within a mile of our home, we were riding around City Park. We had fun checking out great music, fun scene, and vibrant nightlife that goes with VOODOO Festival which has come to symbolize Halloween in New Orleans and Autumn's full arrival. Weather, like this year, is usually outstanding.

We were returning to the park for the third time this week. This is becoming a relaxing ritual; a good way to just pick up and stop after blowing full board all day. Earlier in the week we came to the NOMA Museum of Art to check out some wonderful permanent and temporary exhibitions and we found ourselves walking out the side gates (a recent treat for us not previously available to the public), directly into the Casino.

The Casino was always where you got popcorns, hotdogs, and other sundries as a kid - it has been given a total makeover. Our favorite part of the Casino was to walk to far side near a bridge to 'Boy Scout Island' where there is an old Sundial [in need of repairs on its hours]. Only recently has this sundial become surrounded by lovely gardens maintained by the Abby Barnwell Gardeners. This is another cherished site for us. It is so peaceful. Serene. The backdrop is a delight in urban husbandry - children playing, museums, kids trains, bayou, islands.

Every Wednesday throughout the year you can rent a bicycle or use your own and have a wealth of activities in downtown New Orleans' neighborhoods. The city is flat. Cars drive slow.

In the Fall, Wednesday's at the Square afford locals and visitors some of the best musical treats the world have ever accounted for. Period. Right across from Gallier Hall. Under the Oaks. Lagniappe - New Orleans' Style - a 'little something for nothing.'

Another recent afternoon we started out, riding our bikes hoping to see a 'second line.' We heard hors blazing through the afternoon clear skies. Instead, we arrived at JV practice of St Aug's Marching 100. Fearless small men below five feet vie for the attention of a small battalion of ensemble supporters and instructors. It is October, six months to prepare more.

Criss-crossing through the neighborhood, Halloween. Practically every stoop has its family. It is nice to remember how positive it can be still being in an African-American city. Families relish opportunities to meet and greet in streets.

Maybe you need an afternoon bike ride or walk? Where can you find peace? Where do old things become new. I suggest if you are in New Orleans you take a ride like ours, enjoying a rest under New Orleans Live Oak trees, enjoy a visit Free Wednesday's at New Orleans Museum of Art. Tai Chi at the Museum also happens Wednesdays (at 6PM $5 donation). The Besthoff (K&B) Sculpture Garden is always free (but sadly closes too early, except on Wednesdays, for most of us).

After you have wandered around the park see if you can find the old sundial behind the Casino building. The Abby Barnwell Gardeners can sometimes be found taking care of the flowers there. It is a nice story. Ask them. If they are not there, no one will mind if you pull a few stray grasses or weeds that may have popped up. Walk gently, baby flowers are growing!