Nawlins

My last experience in this city was mixed. I was here with dad and a few other buddies when Ohio State played LSU for the national championship. We had fun on Bourbon Street for two nights until game day when the Buckeyes got their asses handed to them by the home team. I couldn't wait to get out of town. Fast forward to 2012 - our friends Estafania and Mike moved to New Orleans from Denver and we dropped in for a visit. We were able to get a real tour. The trolley car took us to the Garden District where we walked near Tulane University then through the park to Magazine Street. We had lunch then came back into town to visit the French Market. Hit Harrah's Casino for a bit then it was time for dinner. We bypassed Bourbon Street for Frenchmen Street where the locals hang out. Saw HBO filming an episode of Treme' then had the best fried chicken at the Praline Connection while the storm hit full force. Once the rain stopped a group of musicians started playing on the street corner. They played for well over an hour and even had a battle across the street. What a show! We then walked down the street to another bar where it was a version of open mike night. There were people everywhere on stage just jamming away. All in all a great day in Nawlins. I feel better about this town than I did before.

Now it's time to hit the road again. Florida is next up. Perhaps the Gulf Island National Seashore near Pensacola?