Pelicans in Bucktown: After Katrina: December 2004

Judy's Journal Entry December 14, 2004

Pelicans and People Loved to Eat Seafood in Famous Bucktown ...

Until Katrina

Bucktown is an outlying area of New Orleans that has been famous all my life for seafood restaurants. The rustic buildings were made of weathered boards perched on stilts lining the 17th Street Canal and Lake Pontchartrain. While visiting family on December 14, 2004 my husband and I had lunch at Fitsgeralds. I have always loved the white toast under the tender fried shrimp and crisp soft-shelled crabs. We topped off the meal with wonderful bread pudding dribbled with a creamy sauce. As we looked out the window over the lake small white caped waves lapped up against the pilings. I would take a few bites of the scrumptious food and snap pictures out the large glass windows that encircled the tables. We watched the Pelicans sunning and preening their wings. I don’t know which I enjoyed more the great New Orleans food or being so close to the pelicans as they danced and posed for us. One member of the clan would be startled away then return and change positions with another of the flock.
Fitsgeralds Restaurant In Bucktown in New Orleans-- December 2004

Before Katrina

On my last visit in January 2008 most of these wonderful eateries had been blown away in Katrina on August 29, 2005. My heart was broken. The images from childhood zoomed across my memory. Flashbacks of eating plates piled high with fried seafood on a Friday night followed by dancing with my uncle with my five-year-old stocking feet propped on top of his shinny black shoes. The whole family would come from all over the city to Bucktown to kick off the weekend. What great memories..family, music, food, and joy.

Fitsgeralds Restaurant In Bucktown in New Orleans-- December 2004
After Katrina
(From website: http://www.spencerllc.net/spencer/html/Katrina/katrinahome.html)

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How sad, sad. Katrina came and all these wonderful places are gone.
The pilings are lonely.
No hustle and bustle of people or pelicans.
No dancing.