And so it begins...

LOUISIANA


Okay guys, I have already prefaced the point of this blog in the "about me" section of my profile, so I will try not to repeat myself too much.


Last week I discovered that I had 14 more states left to visit before I complete a major bucket lister of "50 by 30". This means that I have to average about three states per year in order to complete my goal... and in this economy, that's not exactly practical. Considering that three of the states are on the west coast, two are in the mid-west, six are in New England, and I'M located in FLORIDA, the task at hand will be a little stressing in the financial department. All of this considered, I am still driven and determined!


So a few days ago while I was (surprise) looking at a map and doing a little Googling, I realized that New Orleans is only 10 hours way from Orlando! Keep in mind I have been dying to get to New Orleans for years but the opportunity had just never really presented itself. Also keep in mind that two of the 14 states I needed to cross off were Louisiana and Mississippi. Looking at my work schedule I found that I had three days off in a row... HELLOOOO?!?! Perfect timing and opportunity! On the spot I booked one hotel in NOLA and one in Biloxi, MS. ROAD TRIP!


I left Orlando around 12:00AM and drove through the night, straight to the Pelham Hotel in New Orleans where I arrived at about 9:00AM. Now typically check-in wasn't allowed until 3:00PM, but the guy at the front desk told me I was in luck because two of the rooms had just finished being cleaned. So thankful! Although I was prepared for the later check-in, I was relieved that I wouldn't have to pay for parking in the city and have to leave all of my things in the car. The hotel was so nice for the cheap price I payed and was loaded with southern charm. I need to back track a little and tell you about the first room I walked into. I opened the door to the sites and smells of a wild party from the night before haha! I'm talking bedding everywhere, empty alcohol containers on the floor (they looked like giant fishbowls with lids and straws), and naturally... used condoms. GROSS! I was even grossed out just touching the phone to call the front desk! It turns out that the quite embarrassed concierge had given me the wrong room number. After everything had been settled I locked everything up in my new room and hit the town!

My First Day (in a nutshell)

My hotel was conveniently located in the French Quarter, so thankfully I was in walking distance of most everything I wanted to see. My first stop was Cafe du Monde for some beignets and chocolate milk. Absolutely wonderful! Then I toured through nearly every street in the Quarter (it felt like it anyway). Now I was warned several times about how careful I have to be and what a dangerous city this was... Honestly? I didn't feel threatened or scared at all! Well, there was one street I turned down that was full of voodoo and witchcraft shops, not the touristy/gimmicky kinds you see in the main streets, but legit dark magic. The people walking in and out of them were quite a site as well. Needless to say, I turned around haha! I then went on about my tour and hit Bourbon Street, the St. Louis Cathedral, then back to my hotel for a nap.
  

Beignets & Bananas Foster French Toast
(from Cafe du Monde & The Ruby Slipper Cafe)

When I woke up it was time for dinner. I made my way back to Jackson Square where I had earlier been approached with menu by a friendly older man outside of a restaurant called Montrell's Cafe. He suggested at the time that I come back later for a "po-boy" sandwich, so I did. I was shocked when at least five hours and hundreds of people later, he remembered me. He even asked where my camera was that I was carrying with me earlier, and called me "picture boy" haha! I'm a sucker for customer service like that! At Montrell's Cafe I ate an out of this world crawfish bisque followed by a fried shrimp po-boy sandwich. By the way, food is another passion of mine. After finally satisfying my stomach, I purchased a ticket and boarded The Steamboat Natchez and took an evening cruise down the Mighty Mississippi where I had a spectacular view of Port Orleans all lit up and ready for night life. Perfect end to my day.

"City Of The Dead"

The next morning I had to be checked out by 11:00AM, so I woke up early and grabbed breakfast at The Ruby Slipper Cafe which was politely in the same building as my hotel. I HIGHLY recommend that everyone who makes his or her way to New Orleans eat here. UNBELIEVABLE FOOD!!!! I was  told that I absolutely MUST eat bananas foster while I was in town... best decision of the trip! Okay, french toast with bananas and raisins totally drenched in a caramel rum sauce AND bacon... Glorious. Now that I was about to pop, I hopped on the cable car to the end of the Quarter where I took a stroll through the above-ground cemeteries... One of the most erie yet incredible things I've ever seen. They call it the "City Of The Dead". I'll spare you the history lesson but I definitely recommend looking it up! Amazing! 


Sadly but excitingly, it's time to bring my New Orleans adventures to an end and head to Mississippi!


MISSISSIPPI   


Originally, I was only going to count my stay in Biloxi as my Mississippi cross-off but I knew there was more to be seen so I couldn't resist a little detour! Last summer my friend Allison took somewhat of a "Tour de South" with her family and one of their stops was Natchez, MS. She raved and raved about the old plantation homes there and the quaintness of the town and how I just had to see it. I decided once I got in my car in New Orleans that this was the closest to Natchez I'll probably ever be, so why not? So glad I went with Al's suggestion!


I arrived on the Longwood property around 3:00 that afternoon with just five minutes to spare before the next tour began. An elderly black man wearing a straw hat met me at the gate, gave me my ticket, and show me where to go. He was so nice! I have no I idea what his name was so I made up in my head (a typical "Shaun thing" to do) that it was Jasper... It just fit. So I make my way up the winding dirt drive, canopied by gorgeous live oaks (my favorite tree), to this incredibly ornate mansion that in a way reminds me of an oriental birdhouse. It was beautiful. I walked into the guest entrance/gift shop where I was greeted by a very old man, whom I believe should be named Wilbur, that would be guiding me on my tour. The funny part is that I was the only one in the tour group haha!

Longwood Mansion & Dunleith Mansion

I learned that inside this unrealistically ornate mansion, only one floor was completely finished and furnished. The Civil War had begun, causing the Nutt family to halt the process of finishing the entire interior. Being tired of living in the slave quarters waiting for completion, they decided to move in anyway and only utilize the one floor. The war having carried on longer than anticipated, the Nutts lost their business and the father died at the age of 45 with pneumonia. The mother remained in the house, which was practically falling down around her, until she passed away at an old age (kind of reminds me of Mrs. Beale of Grey Gardens). Her survivors, not wanting anything to do with the house, sold it to the state of Mississippi where it was thankfully turned into a historic landmark. The mansion is now obviously well maintained but what makes it so unique is that the state has left the unfinished interior completely untouched! If you ever get the chance to tour Longwood, please do it!


Unfortunately, by the time my tour of Longwood had ended, the other antebellum homes in Natchez had ended their tours for the day as well, so I took my friend up on another suggestion and ate at the Pig Out Inn downtown for dinner. Now, I am one who LOVES local dive-type eateries but I gotta say that this one didn't do it for me all the way. The baked beans were definitely the best I have ever eaten, but the brisket sandwich was only so-so. Not a total disappointment but I wish I had given another restaurant a try... Sorry, Al!


With dinner under my belt, I hit the road again and arrived at the cozy little Motel 6 in Biloxi. Can I just say how glad I am that I didn't settle for Biloxi being my only impression of Mississippi? For the record, not all beach towns are cool. Every pump at the gas station I stopped at had meth-free lifestyle ads tacked to them -- very appropriate for the area haha! The reviews I read on priceline about the Motel 6 I was staying in said to bring your own pillow and blanket... Let's just say that I'm glad I listened.


Time to close the book on this chapter! I thoroughly enjoyed my three-day road trip through the South, and most importantly, I got to cross two more states off my list! Only 12 left! Where next? I'm thinking the New Englands.

And of course, new map pins! I collect these gems to document my travels.