Once More To The Lake

7:02

Evie's Geraniums, Still Blooming

It's 7:14 and I have been up for an hour on a Chautauqua gray morning. It's cold outside, a chilly 28º and I am not looking forward to a paddle. At least it's not too windy yet, a mild 5 mph from the northwest. Well, it was windy and cold so I only was out for 20 minutes, with gusts up to 15 to 17 mph. 

Kayak Morning

Northern Sky

Yesterday was a much better Thanksgiving than we thought.  We had a four-hour drive home and left Columbus by 7:30 so we were home by 11:30, a strange time since we usually get home late afternoon on most road trips. The drive was easy, and the roads were fine because of the lack of trucks. It got busy on #90, leaving the Cleveland area. The best part of the drive, however, was a text from our neighbors, Barb and Jim, offering to bring a Turkey and fixings dinner over around 4:30. Evie quickly accepted and I have to say, that made our day.

Empty Roads

Almost Home

Finally

It was strange to walk into the house before noon for some reason, perhaps because we had been away for close to two weeks. We took our time emptying the car and putting away most of our stuff. And then we didn't know what to do with ourselves. We had nothing we had to do, nothing to do really so we did nothing except the usual, reading, napping, and watching some football like the rest of America on Turkey Day. 

Yum

Barb, Jim, and Barb's sister Susan stopped over around 5:00, dropping off our turkey dinner. They, like us, had family with COVID-19 so it was just the three of them for dinner. We heated up the turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, squash, and Brussels sprouts around 6:30 and feasted while watching more football. For dessert, Barb sent both pumpkin and apple pie so by the time we were finished, we could hardly make it to the kitchen to clean up we were so full. What a great meal! We missed our family, of course, but all of them seemed to have a good Thanksgiving.  So far, we seem to be fine but Marisa is still testing positive.  Ironically, this happened to us last Christmas when Jill's family was exposed to Covid-19 and we stayed home rather than have Christmas with them. 

Resisting Temptation

Road Trip

Well, I am sitting in another Hampton Inn breakfast nook just outside of Columbus. It's just four hours from home but we decided to stop yesterday at 5:00 because it was getting dark. The temptation to just say what the heck, and drive home was strong but reason and Evie took over and we stopped.

Fields And Clouds

Ohio

Ohio State Farm

We left Sikesta just after 8:00 and our two-and-a-half drive up to our favorite Illinois town, Effingham, was easy. We picked up # Interstae 70 in Effingham and stayed on it until we reached our Columbus destination. I was expecting the worst since it was the busiest travel day of the year but it was not too bad until we reached the Ohio line and then it just slowed down and both lanes were crowded with trucks. It lasted for about an hour until the road expanded to three lanes. We stopped mostly for gas since our Kia only holds 13 gallons and neither of us was very hungry. My pet peeve while driving is people who cut in front of me because I leave a distance between my car and the one in front of me when passing. Well, people see that as room enough to cut in whether a car or truck. 

Leaving Missouri, Entering Illinois, Crossing The Mississippi

Indiana

As I mentioned, we arrived at the Hampton around 5:00, really 4:00 Central time in a very crowded area, with Walmart, Lowes, and many restaurants. We relaxed until 6:30 then decided on dining at Olive Garden, just across the street. We were the only one's sitting at the bar but we had a good bartender. We both ordered the soup and salad and I have to say it really tasted good. I had two bowls of the pasta and fajoli and salad as did Evie. It was a good choice and I would go back. We returned to the fifth Hampton Inn in 12 days, watched some basketball, and went to bed early. We are ready to get home. 

Olive Garden

A Night In Sikeston, MO

Sikeston At 7;15

Well, it's another morning at the Hampton Inn breakfast bar in Sikeston, MO, located in the bootheel of southeast Missouri, three hours north of Memphis. Its major crop seems to be cotton and as we drove into the area, vast fields of cotton rimmed the road with huge pink and lime green bales of picked cotton sitting in the fields.

Gray Skies, Fields To The Horizon

More Gray

We reluctantly left Beth's family in Old Lake Highlands, a suburb of Dallas. We were up earlier than usual and Evie was able to shower before we were on the road. It was an eight-hour drive to Sikeston, on busy roads. We passed around three major cities, Texarkana, then Little Rock, and finally, Memphis as we drove north to Sikeston. We were lucky with only a couple of delays and not for long. Our major hassle was trucks deciding to pass other trucks, blocking the passing lane for five or ten minutes until they were able to turn back into the right lane. 

Cotton Bales

Cotton Fields

We stopped once at McDonalds at 10:30 but they were no longer serving breakfast so I ordered a chicken sandwich, fries, and a coke. And that was it for food for our drive because we had no interest in fast food. We did stop for gas or to change drivers a couple of times but that was it until we arrived in Sikeston. We were tired from our drive so after an hour of relaxing, we drove to the local Applebee's, five minutes away. It did not seem to be very popular, two guys at the bar and only a few more at tables. We ordered the special, an appetizer and two meals for 25 bucks because we were not very hungry. It was decent and we liked our bartender but were glad to get back to our Hampton Inn. We watched some of our HGTV shows, then some basketball but went to bed early, bored and tired. We just want to get home. 

On The Road Again, But To The Lake

Covid Kids

It's 6:40 and the coffee machine worked so I am enjoying my white coffee in a quiet house. It's cooled off, 49º compared to yesterday's highs in the '70s, swimming pool weather. 

Well, we decided it's not smart to spend the next few days in a Covid house and certainly not driving north to spend time with our son Tom and family. So we are cutting our trip short and heading back to the lake, taking three days to get there, arriving home on Thanksgiving of all days.

Marisa And Kaia Kick Back

Yesterday I was up early yesterday, waiting for my coffee and for Rami to wake up and help make it. Everyone was up by 9:00 except for Evie who was still sleeping. Because of Covid, all six of us were wearing masks and Marisa, who arrived on Friday, was not feeling well and took one and then a second test to see which showed she had Covid. This was one of the reasons we finally decided to head home Tuesday, hoping to avoid Covid but if we came down with it, we would be home. Let's hope we made the right decision because Wednesday is one of the busiest travel days of the year.  None of us had much energy so we sat around. Around 11:00, Beth and I took Kaia for a short walk in the neighborhood. We were hungry by 1:00, so Beth and I walked to the corner gas station which also served delicious tacos. We ordered a bag full for lunch and everyone was happy. Fortunately, the sun came out, and it warmed up so that Marisa could sit outside and sun herself and Rami could work outside as well at a table. Mitch was inside working most of the day on Zoom calls to his architectural firm in Los Angeles. 

Taco Man

Because of COVID-19, Beth finally called her son, Tyler who is working on his doctorate at Georgia Tech, and talked with him about the situation. He then decided to stay home because he would be coming to visit in December for a couple of weeks. So Beth and Rami will be having just the three for Thanksgiving because Mitch will be leaving as well. Because I was up early, I took a great nap until 3:00 so I felt pretty good. Around 4:00, we finally decided to go home so I had to take the car for an oil change, due in 500 hundred miles. It was a busy place, four busy stalls but I was in and out in forty-five minutes. When I returned, it was wine time and we sat around the kitchen talking until the Chiefs/Eagles game came on. Rami pulled out a bottle of tequila from the area in Mexico where his father grew up and his was some heady stuff with an amazing bottle.

Tequila Shots,...A Covid Panacea?

Because our plans changed, none of us felt like shopping or cooking, so we ordered out once again from the Hudson House kitchen.  Rami picked it up and we were happy with great burgers, fries, a salad and key lime pie for dessert. We ended up watching the Chiefs game. Not everyone was interested but we stayed up to watch most of it. Evie was tired, however, and at half time we did some packing and then she went to bed. It was a sad night as we knew we were leaving the next morning after arriving just yesterday. 

Relaxing With Family In Dallas

In Dallas, With Mitch And Marisa

It's 6:47 and I am sitting in my daughter Beth's living room, the only one up, and the coffee machine keeps asking me to empty the coffee grounds which I have done but it still gives me those instructions. So I will have to wait for my son-in-law, Ramiro, to get up for my coffee. It looks like rain this morning for a couple of hours but will clear up and be sunny by 10:00 or 11:00. It's 8:30 and Rami and Mitch are up and ready to work from home. Beth and I are planning meals for the next couple of days while Evie and Marisa still are sleeping. 

We left the sunshine of New Orleans just before 9:00 and it was easy getting out of the city to the major east/west highway, RT 10. We have been on this drive a couple of years ago and knew it would take just over seven hours. It was a fairly boring drive, often over water, mostly swamps or bogs, then pines as we got closer to Dallas.  Our drive took us around Baton Rouge, then Shreveport, before we entered Texas and finally, we arrived in Old Lake Highlands, a suburb east of Dallas. 

Texas

We walked into Beth's new house (moved in 1st of July) in the rain, of course, and everyone was wearing masks because they were at the end of a Covid quarantine. So everyone is being careful and wearing masks but we still were able to enjoy the late afternoon and evening. Rami made us Old Fashions with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, not the cheap stuff I use. And Beth had bought three cheeses that she knows we love so we sat around enjoying our drinks and appetizers. Two of our three grandchildren were in town, Mitchell from Los Angeles and Marisa from Vanderbilt so it was great to see them as well. 

With My Buddy, Kaia

For dinner, Beth ordered takeout from an Asian restaurant they frequent and we feasted on all kinds of Chinese delights, the sweet and spicy eggplant our favorite. We watched some of the end of the Bills game, but mostly talked about what's been going on in our grandchildren's lives. Both of us were tired from our drive so we reluctantly went up to bed just after 9:00. 

Dining Our Way Throuh The French Quarter

Breakfast

Breakfast

 It's 7:00 and the coffee shop is open I just brought two large coffees up to our room and woke Evie. We want to be on our way to Dallas by 8:30 or 9:00 at the latest. It's a sunny morning here in New Orleans, the first bright, sunny morning since we left the lake.

Canal Street, The End Of The French Quarter

On The Way To Jimmy J's

After my two hours of relaxing in the coffee shop and writing the blog, Evie texted that she was up and ready for her coffee. We then took it easy, in no hurry because we were having a late breakfast at the highly recommended Jimmy J's on Chartres Street, about a 15-minute walk. We left about 10:15, arrived at 10:30 and realized there was a line because the place only sat six or seven tables. 

The Best Breakfast

A Bloody Mary Morning

Danger

So we joined the line and like the others, I ordered bloody mary, to while away our wait. After 20 minutes we were seated and waited on by Danger! She was great. I ordered huevos rancheros and Evie loved her tomato egg benedict, as good breakfast as she had ever had. We then did some people-watching, our favorite way to spend much of the day, and walked down to Jackson Square, sat around, enjoying the sun, then walked back to the hotel when we had enough. 

A Homeless Dude

Blue Skies

It felt good to take it easy, rest our tired legs for a couple of hours, after our morning excursion around the French Quarter. By 2:30, we were ready to hit the Cafe Du Monde, for another cafe au lait and beignets. There was a short line but did not have to wait for long and the beignets were amazing. 

Birthday Girls Waiting In Line At Cafe Du Mode

We then walked down through the French Market and ended up again, in Jackson Square, where Elvis was marrying one couple and another had just emerged from the church. Fortunately, it was a mild, blue sky afternoon so everyone was dressed up, those the square, sitting in fold-up chairs. 

Happy Couple

Married By Elvis In Jackson Square

Marriage Dance And Walk

Church

Second Couple's Dancing To The Music

It's tradition here in New Orleans that after a wedding, a band leads the couple and guests through the streets so we were able to watch both weddings begin their dance through the streets. What a cool way to spend your first day together. 

Evie's New Best Friend, Sarah Bernhardt, Attending A Gala

After our afternoon walk, we took it easy for a couple of hours and ended up packing and showering before heading out to dinner. We walked to another recommended restaurant called Irene's and because the bar was full, we sat at a cocktail table until a couple of seats were free. We really liked the bar and ordered drinks, then our main course, a salad and spaghetti and meatballs for Evie, a San Francisco-style cioppino for me. Both were delicious, maybe the best meals we have had since arriving. Evie made friends with a couple from Mobile, both nurses and visiting without kids for a couple of days. Then, this woman walked by, dressed like a diva, and Evie commented on her gown.  Well, ten minutes later they were best friends, taking photos, and exchanging phone numbers, best friends. That's my Evie. Miss Personality ended the night talking with a couple of women from Michigan. It was a fun night,

And Now For The Worst of New Orleans. Imagine spending each day like this fool.  

Another Disgusting Trumper

Saturday In New Orleans

 

6:57 at Woldenberg Riverfront Park

Paddle Boat

It's just after 7:00 and I am back at PJ's Coffee Shop, next door to our French Market Inn. It's busy this morning, probably because it's Saturday and lots of people are out walking, running, or riding their bikes along the path that winds along the Mississippi. Amazing, the sun just came out, above the Mississippi, filling the coffee shop with brief light. 

Yesterday began like this morning, with waking before 7:00, letting Evie sleep in as I walked next door for coffee at PJ's. Both mornings I was joined by a homeless guy and his dog, regulars I suppose. I wrote the blog, read some, and waited for a text from Evie, asking for coffee. We relaxed in our room, finishing the blog and our coffee before getting ready for our day.

Statue Of Andrew Jackson

Playing The Tuba

We had no big plans for our day other than wandering the streets of the French Quarter, taking in the sights, the music, the crazies. Our first stop was the Cafe Du Mode, of course, and we were treated to another serenade by a group of black musicians, entertaining the customers. They were an interesting-looking group, especially the tuba player as you can see. 

A Saint's Fan

We had a cafe au lait but resisted the urge to have another beignet. We then walked down to the French Open Air Market filled with everything imaginable, from clothes to knick-knacks, to food, fortune tellers, and coffee shops. We passed an old guy with a huge Let's Go Brandon sign, wearing an American Flag. Evie told him he was disgusting and he spewed back various Trumpian epithets. For a donation, he would let you take his photo. We didn't. 

Sylvain Restaurant Alley

A Busy Jackson Square And Blue Sky

Sylvain Alley

We then returned to Jackson Square, always entertaining with music, art, fortune tellers, and anyone out and willing to make a buck doing something entertaining. By noon, we were sitting at our first bar of the day, Sylvains, another spot recommended by the Texarkana guys. Supposedly they had great french fries but they were nothing special although the chicken sandwich rivaled Chick-fil-A. We had fun talking to the bartender, a native of Chicago who was moving to New York City in a month. 

Back To The Inn

After lunch, we were tired from walking and went back to our room and relaxed much of the afternoon although I went for a half-hour walk along Bourbon Street, the busiest and craziest street of the French Quarter. We showered and sort of dressed up in a flannel shirt and chinos counted as getting dressed up. We decided to try Muriel's bar although we could not get reservations, It's literally next to Jackson Square and busy except for the bar. We found two seats at the end and were happy, We ordered a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc, recommended by the bartender, and kicked back, ready for a nice night. We ordered gnocchi with a mushroom cream sauce for an appetizer and Evie had a salad and shrimp and grits while I had blackened redfish and potatoes for our main courses. The gnocchi was to die for, the main courses just average, alas, 

New Orleans Patrons And Plastic Bunny

The Historic Cabildo Museum

Art By Evie

After dinner, we sat on benches in Jackson Square, in front of the facade of the Cabildo, the site of the signing of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, which was having a gala to benefit the museum. It was quite a contrast in class, as the gala attendees wore tuxes and gowns, but sitting behind us were various groups of homeless, there for the night. It was a beautiful evening to sit out, so we stayed for at least a half hour before walking the crazy Bourbon Street once again, packed with revelers as if it were Mardi Gras.  By 8:30, we had enough and were tired from walking so we headed back to our Inn. 

Crowds Of Bourbon Street

Wear A Snake Night