Is it really that f*cking hot in the summer?

June 15, 2009 4:22 PM

General questions about New Orleans
posted by radioamy to New Orleans, LA at 4:22 PM (4 comments total)

Well, I'll start with your question -- is it? What's a usual mid-July like? I live in central Arkansas, so I'm no stranger to heat or humidity.

Related question -- I asked about running routes in the main thread, but when the weather's hot like this, I usually like to run after dark when it's cooled down a bit. Is it safe to do this there, if I should just decide to get my weekend run out of the way when I get in Friday night? I'll be staying at the same hotel as you and ColdChef (thanks for pointing out that great deal, btw), so I'll be near the French Quarter.
posted by middleclasstool at 5:53 AM on June 16, 2009

I would also like to run! I'll be staying in the French Quarter; looking at the Google Maps, should I just run around Woldenberg Park?
posted by Greg Nog at 9:46 AM on June 16, 2009

Pretty hot. It's past 9 right now, and just falling south of 85 with 72% humidity. For what it's worth, during the summer I do my running early in the morning (up at City Park). It's slightly more tolerable.

I don't normally run downtown unless I'm late for work, and I honestly don't know Woldenberg Park too well beyond that's around where I occasionally catch the ferry. But if I'm right about where the Pelham is, I don't reckon you'd have any problems heading a couple blocks away from the river and then booking it upriver down St. Charles (left turn) past Lafayette Park and toward Lee Circle. The Quarter (right turn) is going to be a little bonkers on Friday night.

Other locals may disagree with me and, if so, please do. But it's well lit, the sidewalks are generally not in total disrepair, people are out and about, and the scenery is often nice. As long as you don't normally run flailing wads of cash in your hands I think you'd be fine. And if you make it to Erato St. you can duck into Popeyes and regain any calories you may have lost.

Just one warning, from personal experience. The grassy neutral grounds (medians) on St. Charles past Lee Circle are pleasant to run on, but don't do it with headphones. It's good to be able to hear the streetcars, who won't run you down unless you aren't paying attention and you dart in front of one (that's not experience...I've never been run over by a streetcar). They'll ring their bell in general annoyance when they see you, just letting you know they're coming up from behind. Not too big a deal. But cars making left turns, watch out for them.
posted by gordie at 7:21 PM on June 17, 2009

Thanks, gordie!
posted by Greg Nog at 12:00 PM on June 18, 2009