Cruisin' the Coast

So Linda goes, "Let's drive the coast down to Florida, 

and check out what's going on there."

And since she always knows where the action is, I'm in!

First stop on our way to N'awlins is Shreveport.  We booked 

at El Dorado, but since we arrived around midday, it's too early to check-in,

so we head down to King's Highway where there are a few shopping spots...

and George's Grill!  The sign just says "Grill and Restaurant" 

but all the locals know, it's Georges!

Great home cooking, and breakfast served anytime! But we're having this:

After lunch we cruise the Centenary neighborhood for awhile,so named 

because of Centenary College which sits right in the middle. 

It's a lovely area with well kept homes, and beautiful azaleas!

And then, to the hotel!  We've learned that since we can travel 

all through the week, we can usually stay at a posh Resort/Casino 

for about the same price as America's Best Value Inn, 

only without that funky curry smell!

Plus it gives me a chance to hook up with my other girl, Lady Luck!

 I ended up playing at my end of the table (to the right of the rake), with a muscled up guy in a black T on the very end I'll call Marky Mark, then next him on the corner was Arsenio Hall, and 

then next to him 

was me.

It's too long a story for now, so ask me about it later.

Anyway, it was a good night, and I finish up almost 300 smackers!

A short hop from the hotel we found a place called Podnuh's with great 

BBQ and a new dish we just had to try : smoked Mac and Cheese!

Yep, it was awesome.

Next morning, we head to New Orleans.  

The city is all about beauty and charm and especially in 

 the French Quarter, and especially at Le Richelieu Hotel!

We had an elegant corner room on the second floor!
This way to our balcony (take notice of the photographer in the mirror!)

Being on the corner, 

we had the last table 

on the balcony,

which was cool.

Looking back the other way, 

you can see several rooms 

share this second story balcony.

I kinda wished there was 

a Mardi Gras parade or something

because this would've been a 

great place to throw beads!

No trip to New Orleans would feel complete without at least one stop at Pat O'Brien's.

So we step out before dinner to kick back with Pat O!

And all the hippest people take a table in the courtyard!

 

On our way back out to the street, we passed this room 

where they offer ...well, what's the opposite of "live music"?

 Check the tree for evidence of a recent parade...

 We strolled Bourbon Street, recalling wonderful times we've had here
with Corey and his friend Richard. That's all I can say about that.

We did find a nice little courtyard restaurant for dinner,
away from the noise of the street. The food was great and they offered
"Buy one, get one free" on the beer!  Note to other travelers:
when in NOLA, always ask "How much is one beer?" before you order.

Anyway, it's been a good day and a good night!

Next morning, we rise early and have 

tea and coffee poolside at Le Richelieu Hotel.

 Afterwards, we walk down Royal to the Cafe Beignet for breakfast.

 A few pics from our wanderings:

One fashionable shop had these beauties in their display window:
That's right folks, they're ladies shoes! We texted a picture to Ashley and
asked if she needed new shoes. Her response: Do they come in black?

Since we were now in a shopping mood, we made for the French Market,

an open air market that's open every day!

 It's like Canton's First Monday, but where every day is Monday!

 That was fun, and I got a leather bracelet!
From there we climbed the levee and took a bench, watching the river roll.
Old Man River... the Big Muddy... the Mighty Mississip ...you get the idea!

 Back down the levee to Decatur Street, and Jackson Square.

Linda, Old Hickory, (Andrew Jackson) and me.

And just for your education, you can rent
a one bedroom, one bath apartment in the
French Quarter for only $ 1550 per month,
plus, you get a closet!

 Time for lunch! We were thrilled to see the Camellia Grill,
now operating in the French Quarter!  When we first started coming here,
you had to catch a trolley out through the Garden District, past Tulane and
Audubon Park, to eat at the Camellia.  Now that's a fun trip, everybody should try it.
 But the Camellia Grill, within walking distance of our hotel...? Awesome!

So, if you go, and you gotta go, don't ask for a booth or table, 

because they don't have any! It's all counter, with stools.

 And you may want to try the Doc Brinker's Special:
Double meat, Swiss AND American, grilled Onions, cold slaw and Chili!
And yeah, I finished it!  Hahahaha

It was so good I had to fist bump the grill man before we left!

After that we drove Magazine Street out to the Garden District 

just to enjoy the weird eclectic vibe of the neighborhood!

Magazine roughly parallels the curve of the Mississippi from the
French Quarter through downtown, out through the Garden District.

It's a main drag, so it's lined with shops, cafes, and galleries!

You can spend an afternoon, or all day,

or several days checking out this joints!

Then we head back to our stomping grounds.
This time we follow St Charles Avenue back to the Quarter.

It features the Trolley running down the center of the boulevard,
and majestic homes lining the sides of the road. Definitely worth a drive!

Now back to the Vieux Carre. It's too early for dinner, so we walk down Royal 

to the back side of the St Louis Cathedral and the adjoining St Anthony's Garden.

Down along one side of this garden runs a cobblestone walkway that was originally

a cut-through to get to Jackson Square, but became known as the meeting place for 

Andrew Jackson and Jean Lafitte as they plotted against the British, in the War of 1812.

This is Pirate's Alley!

And This is the Pirates Alley Cafe and Olde Absinthe House.

We're goin' in, so I call Corey just so someone knows where we were last seen, just in case!

Inside, the barmaid is all hands on deck while she's mixing drinks.

To be done right, absinthe is dripped through a sugar cube balanced on a fork,

into a glass, until the cube is all melted. When the cube is gone, the drink is ready!

If it's not done right, it becomes toxic, and you die instantly!

I let Linda go first. One taste is all she wants, so she leaves the rest to me.

Uggh! This tastes like licorice in a glass. But it is havish a strange effesh on me.

Boy, one of theesh is all a purse can handid!

Just across the
alley from the
Absinthe House
is St Anthony's Garden.

Some of the street performers and tourists in front of the 

St Louise Cathedral on Jackson Square

And we stop for dinner at Pere Antoine's,
a great place for creole food.

I always expect the restaurant to seat the pretty girl in the window,
and they always do. It's good for business!

 I've still not recovered completely from the Absinthe,
but I remember enough to know the food was excellent!

After dinner we stroll back to Le Richilieu 

and enjoy the pool by night, with a cigar and a cuppa! 

Next day we head for Mobile! So far the weather's been good,
but today the monsoon season starts! It rains on us all the way there,
and after we check in at our hotel, we go exploring.
Right away we stumble upon the Geri Moulton Children's Park:

What a cool place! Everywhere you can see
bronze statues of children at play:

We couldn't snap them all, but here's tug of war, and  boys with a ball

And the ol' reliable "Tag"

Made this rainy day not so dreary:

By afternoon, we found this spot to dry off which had been
recommended by friends: Wintzell's Oyster House

We shook the rain off, and enjoyed a little us time!
After this brief respite, it was still too early for dinner,
so we worked our waitress for the best local pizza, for later on...

We love exploring, so we drove through Mobile's historic district awhile, 

until the rain made us give up.  To kill some time (and get some exercise) 

we decided to check out the Bel Air Mall.  I dropped Linda at the entrance and went 

to parked, then ran like Noah heading to the ark!  I got soaked, but not as wet 

as I would get, because in twenty minutes,  I had to go get the car again!

We opted for Buck's Pizza, which turned out great pies.

We'll take that table under the arbor, near the palm tree!

One of the stops we definitely planned on making while in Mobile 

was the Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Originally, it was a private estate 

just south of the city that now operates as a tourist venue for people 

who appreciate all things that grow!

The torrential rains from the day before have cleared, 

and we had gorgeous sunshine for the morning we were there.

It is a 900 acre estate that was home to
Walter and Bessie Bellingrath.  He was
president of the first Coca-Cola plant
in the southeast, and bought the estate
in 1912 as a fishing camp and retreat
for work-weary execs like himself.

Alas, it wasn't meant to be.

Bessie kept cultivating the grounds
with flowers and plants until it became
the lush, colorful park that it is today.
In 1932, the home and 65 acres of the
surrounding grounds were opened
to the public as
Bellingrath Gardens and Home!

Can you tell Linda is partial to Hydrangeas?
Especially in blue.

They even have lovely southern Belles patrolling the grounds, 

providing the finishing touch to the ambience!  Look, I match!

As it happened, Bellingrath was hosting a classic car show 

on their Great Lawn on the day we were there!

Not the reason we were there, but still fun!

Great way to start the day!  Afterwards, we cross (under) the bay 

and head along the Bama coast through Fairhope for a little antiquing, 

then along Gulf Shores to see if my car keys ever showed up again.

Nope, they haven't.

Then, right where Alabama turns in to Florida, there's this place:

Opened in 1964, this beachfront roadhouse has been packing 'em in
 for over 50 years!  One of their mottoes is:  "Whiskey, ...because
no great adventure ever started with someone eating a salad"

Think of Billy Bob's, only outside, on a beach, and not really country.

It's so big they have two live music stages, with several bars sprinkled around.

 This is the place where Mick signed his name in the ladies room,
many years ago. So naturally, I sent Linda in to check this urban legend out.
The barman heard me talking, and confessed he never heard such a story,
but an older guy stacking cases behind him said
"Yep, it's true.  But after forty years, we had to paint over it."

 Just to prove we were here:

Then, outside and upstairs, where Linda had to hike out to the Gulf
because, after all, the point of the trip was to get in the ocean!

Now back inside , looking down on one of the dance floors.

The drinks were so cold they turned our cups blue,
and the nachos were a platter that made even this Texan proud!

But by now the soaking we got yesterday was turning into a cold, 

so we head on to Pensacola for the night.  Later that night,

we were craving comfort food, and just down from our hotel was 

Founaris Brothers Greek Retaurant where they make great fettuccine 

 but we were sinking fast, and didn't get any pictures.

Next morning, we hit Fort Walton Beach,

which is still just next door to...

 Destin, where Linda's family lived 

when she was ten and freckled and swam every day!

Great Grandma, we looked for your bay side cottage,                        
                                        but the landscape has changed a little ...

I guess it's true that you can never go home...unless you own the 30 story luxury condo...

This has been fun, but we're not feeling any better, so we head

inland towards Tallahassee.  On the way, we stop for lunch at Jim's Buffet and Grill,

a fine little southern home cooking spot to hang with the after church crowd.

As capitol cities go, Tallahassee is a nice welcoming town.

Not as big as you might think, but easy to navigate.

And Linda had researched their "canopy roads" which are old school country lanes
where the trees spread across the road and provide a canopy for travelers below.
These roads are actually designated by the city, and protected by law against

any form of street widening or tree trimming. Nope, no can do!

Next morning we head back west, through Havana and Quincy

where you can shop for antiques, and admire the Victorian homes 

from the days of the Coa-Cola millionaires:

Well, you get the idea...

Now, straight along I-10 to Biloxi Mississippi.and the IP Resort and Casino!

 By now we're heavily medicated and taking a few naps!
In fact, I don't even have the strength to roll the dice. but we did
find the strength to get over to Shaggy's, a beach front chow house.

                  

As you see in this picture, 

I'm not strong enough to even 

hold my head upright, 

but at least I could still chew!

Honey, would you 

please hold my Pulled Pork

sandwich up to my mouth?

Mmmm, thanks!

Next day, we visit the historical Jefferson Davis home, 

and remember a little history.

It wasn't all about slavery.. it was about States' rights, same as today.

So after a little more R & R in Biloxi , we head north, up to Jackson.

Thanks to the Shaws, we heard about Stamps Super Burgers,

on the south side of Jackson, and definitely deep in the hood.

Maybe a little hard to find,

but worth the effort.  These brothers know their burgers!

 If your wife will let you, get one all by yourself.  If you must share,
it's still worth it! And get the lemon pepper fries on the side.

Man, I would just about drive to Jackson right now for another Stamps!

Then, before we leave the area for good, we discover Olde Towne Clinton.

It's historical downtown Clinton, with shopping and cafes.

But what's really
cool is some of
the ladies
(probably quilters!)
have actually
crocheted
little wraps
around all the trees
and lamp posts
lining main street!
Awesome!

We stopped one last night at the El Do in Shreveport, 

then made the drive back home the next morning.

Yes, of course we shopped in Mineola and Lindale, and had lunch 

at the Downhome Cafe in Canton (one of our favs!). I thought this trip was over

when I stopped for gas in Terrell, until I found this last selfie when we got home!

Hey people , when that Buc-ee's finally opens at alliance, 

don't go blowin' up the internet with photogs. It's just a gas station.