4000 miles down...

So after driving 4000 miles over the past month (that's total distance I've driven my car since leaving DC) I've come to realize a few things.

• Camping alone sucks
• Camping with other people is only mildly better
• I enjoy driving. Riding in the passenger seat is boring but driving is actually kind of soothing and relaxing.
• Attractive people don't drive on the highways. I am next to positive that only old couples with RV's, truckers and middle aged men/women drive on highways. I consider myself an anomaly.
• There is nothing between Charlotte and Atlanta
• There is almost nothing between Pensacola and New Orleans.
• Outlet malls in the middle of nowhere seem to be a growing trend.
• Louisiana is one giant lake. I spent more time on bridges than I did on land.
• Texas might be the worst state ever to drive in. Something about entering it and seeing mile marker 850 is depressing.
• Arkansas is home to FEMA's trailer park storage, which is the size of a military base, all trailers. It's like they want god to smite them.
• Being governor of Arkansas does not mean much. I've driven through the state and there isn't much there.
• When necessary a man can survive on cold soup, 100 calorie snack packs and cheese crackers. An aside to this is that wet wood does not burn.

That's about all the revelations I have had on this trip so far (at least that I care to remember). Hanging out in Louisville, KY for a few days. Get to play pin cushion tomorrow and see how many shots a human body can take at once.

New Orleans - Part 2

Well we survived New Orleans and the LSU crew. After spending Thursday afternoon exploring the French Quarter, we spent Friday afternoon at the aquarium. Not the highlight of the trip by any means. Friday night we met up with Lindsey's friends and headed out for a night on the town. We hit up the local burger joint, Port of Call. After a good dinner we hit up the convenience store across the street for $1.90 24oz beers. The deal alone was to good to pass up, but the ability to buy it and carry it around the streets was a new experience. It took Lindsey's friends a few tries before I really believed them. After heading down to Bourbon street the first stop as Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop, which is rumored to be the longest continuously operating bar in the US. With authentic historical architecture (no electric lights in the building) it definitely had a nice appeal. 

Continuing down Bourbon we traveled through the gay district where I had to hold Justin back from running into the bars. We did see a Freddie Mercury clone, complete with leather chaps, leather hat and handle bar mustache. I guess I was showing my age since everyone with us thought I meant it was really him even though he has been dead for decades. To add to the strange atmosphere, two "cowboys" were walking Shetland ponies down the street. I suddenly felt like I was in a Hunter S. Thompson novel. When Lindsey and Annie asked if they could take pictures with the "donkeys" and "ponies" they were strongly corrected that they were "horses". Twice. Cowboys walking miniature horses down Bourbon St and they take offense to us calling them ponies. I don't get it either.

After a quick bite to eat at Jester's we headed over to Pat O'Brien's Piano Bar. A quick round of shots got everyone into the mood and we all enjoyed the sing-a-longs and dancing. The bar has a great feel to it, complete with historic structure and waiters dressed like a silent movie from the 20's. It was neat time and a great stop.

Another quick stop at Jester's for food and jello shots (our tour guide Jen had some connections) and then it was time to split up. Justin and I headed off with Jen to dba for some good music. And we were not disappointed. With band members that looked like characters from Rock Band, they played a mix of rock/funk/jazz/blues for 2 hours straight. The music was amazing and was one of the best live shows I have ever attended. With a small, hot room and rocking music the closest way I can describe the feeling was the scene from Black Snake Moan (go see the movie if you haven't). I  thank Jen immensely for taking us there and if I ever see her again will gladly repay the favor however I can.

Alas all good things must end. After 6 hours of drinking, music, dancing I decided to call it quits at 3 am. We cabbed home and passed out to get ready for Jazzfest the next pay. Unfortunately Jazzfest turned into rainfest. We stayed for just under 2 hours and after everyone was thoroughly soaked we called it quits and headed home. We all decided to stay in that night to recover from the night before and the rainy day. Early Sunday morning we packed up, thanked Lindsey for putting up with us and headed out for Houston to see the Lucy fossils.

Ok if anyone has actually read all that I will be surprised. I added more pictures to the link below and also uploaded Justin's pictures from the trip so far here.

New Orleans

Hanging out in New Orleans for a few days. Grabbed a few pictures in the French Quarter yesterday.

Click here to see the rest of the pictures (I really need to get better at taking pictures).

Cooking and the Coast

There are a few things you need when camp cooking: a good fire, some good food and culinary skills. We lack all three. Our first two attempts at starting the fire ended with a sizzle and smoke, the results of shitty wet wood purchased from the ranger station. The third attempt we scavenged twigs and anything that would burn from the area, a big no no at Florida State Parks. Once we got the fire going it was time to figure out food. Our options consisted of rice, soup, rice, pasta, rice. We wanted something exotic so we chose rice and soup. Unfortunately we can't buy culinary skill, so we ended up eating soup out of the can and lake flavored rice (thanks to the onsite faucet water). To top it off we had some warm Crystal Light. Not the best meal I have ever had but it had the desired effect of saving us enough money to buy popcorn, sodas and movie tickets that night.

After finally getting a good nights sleep we packed up early this morning heading west. On a whim we stopped at Pensacola beach to see the sites and grab lunch. While not quite the mecca we were looking for in Panama City, a quick nipple slip and plenty of sites to see convinced us to spend a few hours on the beach. Once we were thoroughly convinced none of the girls were going to come talk to us and throw themselves at us we loaded back up and continued west. The great Panera tour continues someplace in bum-fuck Alabama, headed to New Orleans.

Upgrade

When Justin and I were in college we bought ground pads at Walmart for our road trips. They were beautiful. Yellow egg crate style top with a blue foam bottom. I slept like a baby on them. Then the rafting company lost them and I inherited the blue cardboard that tried to pass itself off as a ground pad. After spending one night sleeping on that and ruining my back it was time for an upgrade. Two twin size air mattresses later and I was ready to sleep like a baby. Until the man in the tent next to us decided to start snoring. I've never hoped for someone to die of sleep apnea so much in my life.

Panama Shitty

Cheesey title but it sums up my thoughts on Panama City. After leaving the mecca of Tavern in Atlanta, Panama City was a large disappointment. Rather than the young, drunk women eager to show their god given assets promised by E! Spring Break special we got half bald, gold plated teeth rednecks eager to show their manliness at the punching bag game. I quickly realized that if I ever had the drive to be a loud, obnoxious party animal, the time has passed.

After leaving the Coyote Ugly at an early 11:30 (12:30 EST in my defense) we arrived back at our resort accommodations at the Super 8. And we were not disappointed. We quickly noticed the night clerk standing outside the office with Tazer and walkie talkie and the 2 police cars in the parking lot. Rumor had it from the throngs of high schoolers staying in the hotel and hanging on the balcony that whoever the cops were chasing had escaped by jumping into the lagoon behind the hotel and swimming across. We quickly locked our door and I spent a sleepless night wondering how many of my windows would be broken in the morning.

Thankfully my car escaped unscathed. After that night we decided we had more in common with the old people at the RV parks and decided camping was the way to go. But the Super 8 did not disappoint. On the way out, another cop car was at the building helping to eject some occupants from the motel.

The next day was less exciting, spending a few hours on the beach (not getting that burned!) and returning to the normal diet of Wendy's for lunch and dinner. Camp fire cooking hasn't seemed appealing enough yet to convince us to give up Wendy. Panera has proved a home away from home as we continue to book travel accommodations. Now that I've rambled for a little while, I'll close this up with us in Destin, FL. We may stay here another night or 2 before making our way to New Orleans to see LB and JazzFest.

Atlanta

Hanging out in Atlanta. The Tavern is the best restaurant known to mankind.