Well, we did it. We got off the couch, turned off Hulu/Netflix/Amazon Prime/ESPN+/Peacock, grabbed our hand sanitizer, put on our three-layer masks, and made our way to the Besthoff sculpture garden in City Park. Two outings in one week. Will wonders never cease?

Getting there was a bit of a challenge. We feel fairly safe taking the St. Charles street car because all the windows open and the riders are pretty diligent about wearing masks. So, we thought, no problem, we will take the St. Charles street car to the Canal street car and be all set. Except the Canal street car is closed where it intersects with St. Charles due to construction work surrounding the Hard Rock Hotel that collapsed over a year ago. (It took the developer 10 months to remove the bodies of some of the construction workers killed in the collapse so I hesitate to even think about how long it will take to demolish the building.) Not a huge deal — we just had to walk 10 minutes or so to the first working stop.

But, when we hopped on the Canal street car we made a disappointing (and infuriating) discovery. The windows were all nailed shut. I’m guessing because the street cars on that line have air conditioning, but you would think they would remove the nails and let the windows be opened during a pandemic. So, we were already feeling unsafe.

Then things got even worse. Apparently, the riders of the Canal street car think masks are more of a suggestion than a requirement. Especially if they are on the phone. Or drunk. Or preparing to drink their plastic bottle of Bud Light (“hidden” in a backpack) out of a straw. Fun, fun.

So, we won’t be taking the Canal street car anymore, which is a real shame because the Besthoff Sculpture Garden is pretty darn cool.

The garden sits on something like 11 acres in City Park and contains more than 90 sculptures. The park itself is beautiful with winding paths, trees, flowers, water features and, of course, interesting art.

There was even a owl hooting up a storm.

If we decide to buy here (newsflash, we are seriously considering it), I think we will spend a lot of time at the sculpture garden.