New Orleans November 2012

The Cook took me to New Orleans for our first non-family vacation! It was just a weekend but it was worth it to get away and feed my need for travel.

I hadn't been to NOLA since I was 15 and he had never been. We were originally going to take the megabus and relax for the whole 12 hour trip, but the bus schedule didn't match with our needs. The Cook found a great deal on a hotel on Amazon ($100 for 2 nights) at the Inn on St. Ann. It was a fantastic hotel and I'm so glad we got it. As the French Quarter is relatively small, everything was in walking distance. We were about half a block from N. Rampart Street (and Armstrong Park) and about 3 blocks to Bourbon Street. The biggest downfall was the parking deck 6-8 blocks away.

At the intersection of Bourbon and St. Ann is the Bourbon Pub & Parade nightclub, where we made our first stop for day drinking on our first day. (Hey, no judging, it's New Orleans, the 24-hour party). Anyway, we repeatedly hit them up because they were close to the hotel AND more importantly, they consistently poured the strongest drinks we found in the city, so we kept returning. NOLA also has an open container policy in the Quarter so, we took our drinks to go. We popped into an antique store, Naghi's, to have a peek around (not that we're int he market for anything in there, but the shopkeeper took the time to hang up the phone and talk to us about the city, the people, and where to get the best deals and music. Most importantly he shared that it's tourism dollars that picked New Orleans up after Katrina and got them back on their feet, so the townsfolk are happy to help.

After driving through the night we were tired but the room wasn't ready yet, so we set off in search of food-- first stop-- Cafe Du Monde, where else?

Delicious beignets covered in mounds of powdered sugar! So delicious, in fact, that we went back Saturday too! Friday's lunch was a shrimp po'boy at Johnny's. Then Hurricanes at Pat O'Brien's (beautiful bar and courtyard, but I wasn't impressed with the hurricane or the bartender (who was more interested in the pretty young girls).

That night we took the concierge's advise and headed over to Oceana for dinner. Traditional cajun style foods--- BBQ shrimp app, I had red beans and rice with andouille. The Cook had catfish. All of it was good. I love cajun food and cajun spice, so I was please when my nose was running at the end of the meal.

We puttered around Bourbon and streets adjacent for about an hour before heading to the Royal Sonesta Hotel (across from Oceana) for Burlesque. We contacted the hotel ahead of time to reserve seats but were told we didn't need to, and if we got there about 30mins before the show all the front seats would be open. Au contrare... we got there an hour early and ALL the good front seats were reserved. We found a decent seat in the back corner but then the fat heads came and moved their seats in front of us, therefore we could no longer see.  Additionally, burlesque requires crowd participation and the crowd was NOT participating. /disappointing. We headed back early and got some much needed sleep.

To clarify, the girls were great and the show would have been wonderful, but the venue was bad and the staff could have been more helpful/honest when we called to RSVP and when people moved their seats to obstruct our view.

Saturday, as I mentioned, began with more day drinking and beignets. We took another stroll through the French Market to get some Slap Ya Momma seasoning and some Voodoo sauce for a friend. We scoped the art at Jackson Square and had some coffee at CC's Community Coffee shop (it was ok, and the barista coughed the whole time he was making my drink!) -- as an aside, we tried TWICE to go to Decadence Coffee Shop (right around the corner from the hotel) but they weren't open either time we went.

Saturday night we headed over to GW Fins for our fancypants night out and let me just say... I have never experienced such fantastic food. The whole dining experience was just the best and I would recommend it to anyone. Pricey, but totally worth it!

 This was The Cook's meal: jalapeno glazed salmon over mashed potatoes with corn and green bean salsa. Unfortunately, the salmon didn't really have a jalapeno flavor, which disappointed the cook, but otherwise he was satisfied with the salmon. It's worth it to mention the menu changes daily depending on what is available.

I had the blackened swordfish, with shrimp over mashed potatoes. Honestly, the swordfish melted in my mouth like butter and was handsdown the best meal I've had up to this point. We had creme brulee for dessert. I had a "french martini" to start and finished with 2 dirty martini's (extra dirty, extra olives!). Our server, Polo, was attentive (without being overly so) and knowledgeable about the menu.

We then went on a ghost & vampire tour with French Quarter Phantoms. It was fun, but I had apparently had too much to drink that night and don't remember a lot of it. I know that each place we stopped there was a good 10 minutes of storytelling. The guide was friendly and knowledgeable-- they tell back story, history, and folklore. I would recommend... but perhaps with fewer than 5 cocktails. Because we ended up calling it a night at 10pm when we were done with the tour. lol  We got to see the house where some Interview with the Vampire scenes were shot, a reportedly haunted bar, LaFitte's Blacksmith Bar and a few other locations, ending with the Old Ursuline Convent. Then we saw some eerie red lights in the sky.

Sunday we had lunch at the Something Else Cafe and coffee at PJ's on Canal. Coffee was good, very chocolatey. Lunch was a pot roast po'boy! and these fantastic french fries. <3 :=":" and="and" back="back" defintely="defintely" eat.="eat." full="full" go="go" i="i" of="of" p="p" there="there" to="to" win="win" would="would">

Then we headed home. Can't wait for a return trip!

Biloxi, MS March 2012

I was lucky to be selected for the very small group of students to spend spring break working in Biloxi. A group of 3 of us drove together and everyone else arrived by various methods. My roommate flew in and the 4 of us pretty much did everything together that week. Truth, we spent the days working and the evenings exploring.

Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf in August 2005 but there are still empty lots where houses once stood as well as homes still needing repair. Some families are still fighting legal battles to get quality, completed home repair/construction. It's amazing.... Just after Katrina the BP oil spill wrecked the coastline and cost fishermen their livelihood.

Biloxi is a very small town, the south side is the coast and the north side the "back bay." Casinos are popular in Biloxi and provide both tourist money and job opportunities for those that live in the area. The homes overlooking the coast are large and beautiful, but Biloxi is a poor town. Still, they are a proud people and I enjoyed my trip there very much.

While walking the beach I found a sign indicating the Biloxi beach was the site of a civil rights protest to desegregate the beaches! 

The visitor's center was destroyed in Katrina and had to be rebuilt. http://www.photosfromkatrina.com/images/B-Biloxi-Lighthouse-BA2.jpg The lighthouse was surprisingly only minimally damaged and the visitor's center was rebuilt almost exactly.

Some of the palm trees along the beach are permanently bent from the sustained winds. Many of the other trees, or what was left of them, were carved into glorious wood sculptures of animals.

We ate at BurgerBurger, The Shed BBQ, Aunt Jenny's, Half Shell Oyster House, a couple different casino buffets, and some place called Bruno's. I don't recommend Bruno's, but if you want real, fresh gulf shrimp, Aunt Jenny's is THE place to go. Unfortunately, a lot of the other places we went did not serve fresh gulf shrimp, they were the crappy frozen kind I could get back home. Jenny knows what's up though and it was a fantastic, filling dinner. Half Shell was delicious, but expensive, so if you're on a budget, they might not be the best choice. The Shed has won awards and it's a hot mess of a place with the "walls" made out of pallets. The BBQ was ok, nothing fancy, but I've had better too.

Pictures to follow.

DC August 2011

Yes, I realize it's been exactly a year since I was in DC and I'm just now getting around to posting about it... /sigh, the life of a law student.

I had never been to DC as an adult... I think I was 9 the first (and last) time I went. I don't remember much other than the pictures my family took (I know we went to Arlington Cemetery, stood in front of the gate at the White House for a picture (back when cars could get close to the WH), I think we took pics at the steps of the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials and in front of the Washington Memorial. We drove everywhere (which I am amazed my dad did now that I've been to DC). We didn't stay overnight; it wasn't our destination, merely a stop on a journey elsewhere.

I took the Megabus in. I was going to drive until I looked at a map and realized I would hate myself. It also saved considerably on the outrageous parking prices (even at many hotels). 8 hours on the bus (which has power outlets and wifi) cost me $36 each way! This was my first trip on the bus and I have no complaints. In fact I've recommended it to a lot of people! I stayed in the Hotel St. Gregory near Dupont Circle; I found a great deal on hotels.com. I forget exactly the price, but I think it was around 170$ for 2 nights. I was offered a penthouse upgrade at check-in, which I declined, but the clerk gave me anyway gratis! The lobby has a statue of Marilyn Monroe with her iconic white dress blowing around her. There is also an attached restaurant, which I ate at my final night, more out of convenience than anything else. The one minus about the hotel was a 10$/day charge for wifi.

As you can see, the room was beautiful! The "painting"/headboard with the giant face skeeved me out a little, but not enough to detract from the enjoyment. I had a wrap around balcony and a nice view, too.

 
So the bus came in around 4pm on a rainy August afternoon, you know where this is going, don't you? It was HUMID. Disgustingly so. Megabus doesn't really have a depot, so it either uses the city depot or it makes one. In DC it uses a parking lot about 4-6 blocks from Union Station. By the time I walked from the lot to the station, I was sticky and disgusting. I cooled down on the metro a little bit, but after the few block walk to the hotel from Dupont I looked like I had just got out of a sauna; my hair was curled and plastered to my face, my clothes were sticking to me. I was just not prepared for the humidity.

 I took a lovely shower and headed out for dinner and some sight-seeing. I happened across the Dupont Circle Kabob House and ate there. It is a small place, with maybe 10 tables. You order at the counter and they bring it to the table. If I remember correctly I had the Kabob Sandwich, which was yummy and affordable, but I don't remember much else about it. I'd be happy to go back though. From there I went out to take some night photos of the "mall" area. Good grief, 2 miles is a lot longer of a walk, especially in the humidity, than I had thought. Full disclosure: I'm also completely out of shape!

The next day was "museum day." I started at the Holocaust Museum. People talk about how emotional it is, which is true, but I guess after being to a couple camps, the museum is... different. A couple interesting pieces I remember: there is a cattle car you can walk through, there are collections of silverware and eyeglasses, etc that was confiscated. There is a 3 story hallway filled with photographs of victims, I think most of the pictures came from people who lived in one town. I think there was a hair exhibit (which was merely a sampling of the full collection which I think is at Auschwitz). The final stop before the self-guided tour was over was a memorial room. As I entered a docent asked me if I was ok, I said I was and asked why, and she's like "well your face is just so sad." Aside from the fact that I was alone, I had also just spent the last 2.5 hours examining one of history's worst atrocities... should I be smiling?

After that I had an $8 hotdog from a stand (good grief) and made some quick trips through the Natural and American History museums.

Inaugural gowns of Hilary Clinton (left) and Laura Bush (right)

 Dorothy's ruby slippers from the Wizard of Oz.

A plaque commemorating the shootings at Kent State University in 1970. Apparently they had one of the M1 rifles from the shooting right next to the plaque but I was in a hurry and only saw this. :-/

The chairs and table from the Appomattox Courthouse where the South surrendered and ended the Civil War. 



That night I met some friends up in Silver Spring, MD for dinner. They took me to one of their favorite joints, the Quarry House Tavern. (Walking distance from the metro station). It's a total dive and I would definitely be there on the regular if I lived there. It's down a flight of stairs in the basement of a building I never would have set foot in without people who could vouch for it. lol They have a HUGE beer selection and are reported as having the best burgers in the area. They also serve TOTS instead of fries!! As an aside, Discovery Channel's Shark Week is this week. I was in DC the week after Shark Week, and therefore I missed the Discovery HQ Shark sticking out of the building (in Silver Spring).

Sunday was my final day in DC. I went out to the Washington Cathedral and to Georgetown. The cathedral is not really accessible via subway only. The bus goes close though. I wish I had known that on my way up. I walked another couple miles through a lovely neighborhood to get there. I was on a quest to find the Darth Vader "gargoyle." But I couldn't find it. It was a beautiful day, but still humid, and I was another hot mess by the time I got to the cathedral, so I didn't go inside.

I took the bus and the metro to Georgetown where I went to Baked and Wired for cupcakes (as opposed to the now famous Georgetown Bakery). I chose Baked and Wired because a Yelp review noted them as having fabo iced mochas. So, B&W'd has a strange set up, that I'm still not sure I did right... you go in the door and can go left for cupcakes and right for coffee but I think you end up going back left to pay for your coffee (at the same register you would for cupcakes). So it's unclear whether you should get back in the cupcake line (even if you don't want a cupcake) or if you form another line to pay for your coffee. I got a vanilla cupcake with chocolate frosting (plain and basic) and the iced mocha. The mocha was ok, definitely not "the best" and the cupcake tasted like lemon to me. I looped back around the mall to see the Lincoln Monument (and the maker where MLK gave his I have a Dream Speech). I wandered through some of the memorials down there like the Korean War and the WWII monument. I didn't make it over to the Jefferson Memorial though I could see it across the bridge.

Finally, I made it back to my hotel, collected my luggage from the front desk, used a public restroom to change my clothes and freshen up and then ate at the M Street Bar and Grille (in the hotel lobby) before heading back out to the bus "depot" and back home.

A few more pictures from around DC:

(it's hard to make out, but it's the plaque commemorating the 'I Have A Dream' speech.
Michelle Obama's inaugural ballgown.
Part of the actual Woolworth's lunch counter from the Greensboro sit-in's.
A family of street musicians outside the Dupont KrispyKreme.

Stan Hywet Hall, Akron, Ohio at Christmas

The Cook and I went to my homestead for Christmas this past year. It was his first trip to oHIo. I wanted to go to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC for Christmas, but it was cost prohibitive. Instead I talked him into visiting Stan Hywet. According to this website, Biltmore is the largest home in the US, with Stan Hywet coming in at number 6, and only about $17/person instead of $60. I'll take it!. Anyway, SH is beautiful. I first found out about it in 10th grade in an interior design class. We traveled up there for a field trip. I fell in love. While waiting in line to go in, the Cook was all "this is small, especially compared to Biltmore." And, yes, it is. 175k sq ft compared to 65.5k sq ft. But after we got in and started the tour he realized that it is much more spacious than the outside appears. There is even a pool in the basement (which we didn't get to see on this tour) but despite the cold and the rain, we both had a good time. We did a quick dash through the gardens but because it was at night and in winter there wasn't much to see. SH, a 65 room, Tudor style, was built in the early 1900's by the Seiberling Family, founders of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. "Stan Hywet" means "stone quarry" and is named so in tribute to the many stones used in the architecture. SH forbids photos from being taken inside so all I have are outside shots. 

In and Around Charlotte

So J, who lives in Germany, came to Charlotte to visit for 2.5 weeks. We did all kinds of things including the NC Zoo in Asheboro, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Lazy 5 Ranch, Botanical Gardens (UNCC and Daniel Stowe) and SHOPPING, SHOPPING, AND MORE SHOPPING!!!

Asheboro is a really small town. There is really nothing there except the zoo and it takes 2-2.5hrs to get there from CLT. The zoo is also only open until 5pm, which was really surprising. I would have thought 7pm at least... After leaving the zoo we stopped at a gas station to ask if there were other things to do in the area, because I don't have a smart phone, and was informed by a very nice/friendly, but dentally challenged hillbilly, that "Once you seen the zoo, you done see all there is in Ashburuh. 'cept the Richard Petty Museum. That's NASCAR. ::narrows eyes:: You don't look like the NASCAR type." So we ate at the Rock N Rolla cafe, which was ok. Nothing to write home about. Burgers were HUGE.

The Lazy 5 Ranch is in/near Mooresville and is a pretty neat concept. You can either drive your car or pay a few extra dollars to take their wagon around. If you drive you have to buy a bucket of food, if you take the wagon the bucket is included in the price and therefore, is a wash-- we took the wagon, which was good b/c more than one person has told me it's nearly impossible to get the smell of the ranch out of your car. Ew... Anyway, you get to hand-feed a number of animals, including various types of cattle, gazelle, llamas, deer, ostrich, giraffes, etc... it's a fun day, but 2 pieces of advice: 1. take off any jewelery on the hand you use to feed the animals and 2. bring sanitizer and lots of it. I washed my hands about 6 times and used sanitizer and I still felt dirty.






The day we traveled on the BRP the temps dropped 30* from when we left CLT to the coldest/highest part of the mountains. We would have stayed on the pkwy for a longer time, but there were detours. We did end up at the Thistle Meadow Winery near Sparta/Roaring Gap. The owner was very friendly and chatty and the wines were good. J and I had a really good time.




The Daniel Stowe Bot Gardens were much nicer than the UNCC gardens, but that's not to say the UNCC gardens weren't beautiful too. UNCC gardens are free and the DS gardens cost about $10 or $12. The 1st 5 pics are from UNCC:






The following 5 are from DS:







J and I ate at Melting Pot, Blue, Azteca, L.A. Murph's in Salsbury and a few other places that don't stand out. Blue was absolutely amazing. I cannot recommend this restaurant enough. I had a Bombay martini extra dirty and a beef tenderloin caramelized onion and risotto. *kisses fingers* muah The beef melted in my mouth and was cooked to perfection. J had a sea bass, which came whole, and the waiter deboned tableside. She said it melted in her mouth as well. She had a strawberry shortcake martini. We had the "flavors of the Mediterranean" appetizer which included hummus, tapenade, and baba ghanoush and these little red peppers stuffed with goat cheese. The waiter indicated the menu changes around every three months.

Melting Pot was fabo, as always. We went with the fiesta cheese and one of the chocolate specials, skipping the meat course. The dessert was white chocolate and marshmallow fluff with baileys and oreos (like a white chocolate cookies and cream). I had the ying-yang martini and J had the caramel apple martini.

Azteca was recommended to me as a "truly authentic" Mexican restaurant, but it was, to me, your standard El Campesino or El Rincon, and was not Dave's/Taquiero Rancheros. The margaritas were GRANDE, though. MMM My quesadilla came with grilled green pepper inside, which I found off-putting. J liked everything though.

I heard about LA Murph's from a guy who brought cookies into class one night. They were oatmeal sandwich cookies and they were DELISH. I will be back but I can't say I will drive to Salisbury just for some cookies. LOL We also got cheesecake cupcakes and big chocolate chip cookies, and cream cheese brownies. Everything was fantastic. J, being German, thought everything was too sweet.

We also took a cheesy carriage ride around Uptown CLT. It was nice and so was the driver, but it was pretty hokey. Got some good shots of the skyline though.

And, finally, some random shots from around town: