Bubba Gump Shrimp

Montgomery, AL was a quaint little city.  We think because of the heat, people weren't out and about, evidenced by absolutely no one on the streets while we were touring around at about 10am yesterday morning.  We went to the Civil Rights Memorial which was quite moving.  It is a circular granite slab with all the names/dates/events from the death of Emmet Till to the assasination of MLK Jr..  There are ripples of water over the top and it's interesting to watch people put their hands on the names in the granite.  We also got to see the first White House of the Confederate states.  It had a lot of similarities to the White House in Washington.  It was only used for three months, then the capital was moved to the more strategic Richmond, VA.  

We drove through the rest of Alabama, and took a stop at Bayou Lebatre, AL (the real home of Benjamin Buford Blue aka the Bubba of Bubba Gump Shrimp).  Lebatre was probably one of my favorite places so far.  The people were all super nice and wanted to know why we were in Alabama, where we are going next.  Also everyone thinks we are crazy to be driving without A/C.  The fish smell was a little overwhelming around the docks.  

Scott took over the rest of the drive through Mississippi into Louisana.  There was a cool bridge that took us into New Orleans, over the Gulf of Mexico.  Our hotel is super nice, I highly recommend it...The Maison Dupuy in the French Quarter.  Being in New Orleans, we all went over the top of course and are paying this morning.  We started with some drinks by the pool and then headed to dinner.  We had all the New Orleans fixings; gumbo, jumbalaya, crawfish etouffee, hurricanes, etc..  Next, we searched for some good jazz and ended up walking up and down Bourbon Street.  I think we'll check some more non-touristy spots today/tonight.  Bourbon Street is absolutely insane.  It's like America's red light district.  

Off to go see the sites.  Houston to see NASA tomorrow! 

first bible lesson- welcome to tennessee

We left nc and entered tennessee yesterday. Crossing the great smoky mtns - and the rest of the appalachians - was absolutely stunning. While driving on this turny mountain pass, it felt like the appalachians went on forever. I can't even imagine what the rockies feel like. Shortly after crossing into tennessee we entered central time. That was fun watching the clocks freak out for a little.

We arrived at fallcreek falls national park in spencer, tn at about 5 yesterday (after a 8 hour drive). we popped a tent and had somw dogs and beans. Failing to remember utensils are necessary to eat out of a can (open via a knife) we made spoons out of the bottom and sides of poland spring bottles.

This morning we were up with sun and headed out for.a hike at about 7am. The falls at fall creek are beautiful. They are 256 feet tall- the tallest east of the rockies. We did a half hour decent to the bottom. Very tranquil. The steep hike back to the lot was interesting with the heat.

Looks like we could hit some storms later today but right now it's sunny, warm and not too humid. Today we are driving to talladega speedway right outside birmingham, al with our final destination montgomery, al. The mountains of tennessee are so great. They seem to go on forever.

I can get us a rainout...

We are leaving today after spending a fabulous afternoon and evening in durham. We tried local beers and saw the stadium where Bull Durham was filmed - Beth are you jealous?
We had another lovely home cooked meal and Alicia made some fabulous cobbler. This morning we are driving about 8 hours to a campsite in the middle of nowhere TN. It has great hiking and beautiful falls apparently-the place is recommended by Alicia's parents. The trip today includes going over the Appalachians so I'm sure there will be much to report tomorrow.

it's like newton's law...

Just left vienna, va. Great day in d.c.yesterday. Saw the capitol, white house, reflecting pool, lincoln memorial, washington monument and went to the air and space and american history museums. After a nice home cooked meal care of alex, we went out for the night in d.c.- pride weekend in d.c.. We made great friends on the train home who gave us dating advice via physics-every action has an opposite reaction...she has to say no dude. Good times.

Bad day: it is damn humid down here and only gonna get worse!
Currently on the road to north carolina to have some home cooked southern barbeque care of alicia!

Day One - Driving is Exhausting

We made it safe and sound across the Mason Dixon Line to Alex's house in Vienna, VA (20 minutes outside D.C.).  Nothing really to note along the way, except that the temperature jumped about 15 degrees once we entered Maryland.  The house's A/C was a welcomed treat.  We could be in for a lot of sweating through Texas and Arizona....

Roadkill: Coyote (?) - Delaware/Maryland Border

Tomorrow: D.C. site seeing/bar hopping

Saturday: Durham, NC