Re: Travel Part 2 - Where ya headed?
My wife and I, and another couple, just spent the better part of the last week and a half on a driving trip that took us to Dallas, New Orleans and Memphis. Had been to New Orleans before, but had arrived from and departed to Mobile, AL, so I had never spent any time in east Texas, Louisiana, the Mississippi delta region or area around Memphis.
I had a wedding to attend, which is the reason we were in Dallas. I was largely unimpressed. A big, urban sprawl and a general hassle to drive around in. I had to have been called "sugar" or "honey" a minimum of 75 times during our couple of days there.
We attended a Texas Rangers game, and I actually really liked their ballpark. I'm disappointed they are taking it down to put up a dome, but the heat I suppose.
Dealey Plaza, and in particular the Sixth Floor Museum at the Texas Book Depository were outstanding. The museum is a definite must for anyone who is in Dallas. A self-guided audio tour very similar to what they do at Ellis Island now.
We also went to the George W. Bush Presidential Library, since it was across the street from our hotel. It's the only Presidential Library I've ever visited, so I don't have anything to compare it to with respect to presidential libraries. In general my reaction was "meh." The recreation of the oval office was cool (I imagine they have that in most of the libraries, or at least the more modern ones.) The collection of trinkets gifted to Bush or the U.S. by visiting dignitaries was amusing. However, largely a waste of time.
The drive through east Texas and across the heart of Louisiana was mostly taken on more rural roads and not the interstates. Pretty poor section of the country.
We stopped at one gas station/convenience store NW of Baton Rouge and honest to god I stood at the counter looking for the closed caption button for northerners to use. I just laid down a $20 and hoped it was enough.
I've always found the city of New Orleans fascinating. A city of spectacular beauty and architecture. But the whole city feels like nature is just slowly winning the battle to reclaim the land.
Memphis is a dump. Beale Street, for live music lovers, is fun, but largely the city is forgettable. Maybe one of the best meals I've ever had, though, at Central BBQ, across the street from the Lorraine Motel museum. They've done a real nice job of preserving that site, but one that appears to be largely ignored.
