Palms Overland Adventure: I dig the Bayou

January 15, 2012
We left lovely Gulf Shores, AL today after a rematch at Pirate's Island Mini-Golf on the Blackbeard course. I won again.... I also drove most of the way today. We took the old highway 90 and it was a pleasant drive along the coast with virtually zero traffic. It is crazy to see all the destruction from hurricanes that still exists. Some towns almost seem like ghost towns. One town that did seem happenin' though was Biloxi, MS. We just passed through it but it seemed to have a lot of people there, is right on the ocean and they had some casinos. I'd spend a couple nights there. I was also really excited to see the Live Oaks along the beach. Seeing those majestic trees growing right out of the white sand gives you a feeling that you are in another time. Another thing that I really enjoy is the sound of words that the people in this geographical region use, such as the word "bayou." I really dig that word - it just rolls right off your tongue.

We arrived in New Orleans, went to Whole Foods to get some groceries for the next few days, and checked into our hotel the Maison Dupuy on Toulouse St. We stayed here on one of our previous visits to NOLA and we really like it. It's in the French Quarter and has valet parking in a garage, which really works for us from a security standpoint. Tonight we are going to the famous Howling Wolf to see the Hot 8 Brass Band.

January 16, 2012

The Brass Band never happened. We walked there but they weren't there even though the bartender said they were supposed to be, so in good New Orleans fashion, we didn't let that bother us and just left to walk back to Bourbon Street where there is ALWAYS a party going on. We spent the rest of the evening, until around 1am, walking around the French Quarter, playing Dominoes, and drinking rum drinks....yum. This morning, we packed a breakfast & lunch and drove to the Audubon Park where we unloaded the bikes, rode around for a little while then went to the Audubon Zoo. I've always wanted to go there. It was a really nice zoo actually because their exhibits were put together very well and they had a nice assortment of animals. We came back to the hotel to do a hot tub session and get ready to go out for dinner and music this evening. Dinner was approached in a way for us to try as many things as possible and not going over our daily budget. First we went to the French Market for Char-grilled Oysters - we get these every time we come here...they are so decadent. After we came back to our hotel for some drinks, then proceeded to Remoulade where we shared the Louisiana Sampler. This consisted of 3 new dishes for us which were all excellent; Natchitoches Meat Pie, Louisiana Snapping Turtle Soup, and Crawfish Etouffee. More delicious than I can describe. New Orleans is just an experience to please the taste buds and to over indulge oneself in pure gastrointestinal decadence. After dinner we walked around the French Quarter listening to snippets of music from each bar or restaurant...the air was charged and electrical this night because of the storm coming in tomorrow and the voodoo vibe scene that goes on here anyway. We depart tomorrow for Louisiana Cajun Country and Arkansas. Sans Souci. Adieu.

I really liked this guy.