Elyse & Melissa's Excellent Adventure
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Every journey deserves a conclusion
So here’s mine. I’m sure Elyse has her take, but generally, I think we agreed on how it shook out.
Bottom line: It was an amazing trip.
The van. Was. Epic. We named her Bertha and setup a crazy CD player-battery operated “stereo” system that rocked us the entire trip. Who needs new-fangled “IPOD” technology? Pffft…
We first headed down to VA, mostly to breakup the trip to Nashville, and stay with a friend of mine who’s on a seven-week work project in Lynchburg. All was well until we had to go through the Appalachian Mtns. The van basically said “Nope” and overheated/died on a back country road 30 miles from our destination. We managed to careen off the road onto the lawn of what I call “tiny house,” and as we had no service on our cell phones, needed to ask the homeowner for help. Lucky for us, this was probably the best lawn to ever have car trouble on- it was this super awesome, southern-accented woman and her 15 grandchildren and three dogs running around. We hung out on her porch waiting for a tow. Our tow truck driver proceeded to try to set me and Elyse up with his grandson. And I quote: “He’s attractive. But he’s got baggage. In one year old, cute form.”
Prior to the fan belt incident, we had a “Houston or Bust” sign in the window, which we promptly took down, cause we very clearly busted.
Once we were in Lynchburg, we had to wait the next day for the van to be repaired. So what on earth is to do in Lynchburg Virginia? Visit Liberty University, of course! Our friend Adam shuttled us throughout the campus, which was, unsurprising, beautiful. I bought a t-shirt. Yup.
We hit Nashville next, which was nice enough, but I’ll probably never go again, at least not on purpose. The Grand Ole Opry was closed cause of all the flooding, so that killed alot of the potential fun. We did find a sweet hipster coffee shop in the downtown area, which made us feel like the most cool, ironic people ever. Elyse and I did make the epic, Northerner error of assuming that all cities are like New York and Boston, aka walkable. Note: even a mile is intolerable in 95 degree, humid weather. The night life was good, especially if you like country music. I didn’t hate on Nashville, but it just wasn’t my scene.
Finally, we made it to New Orleans. Every time I ate something, I said, “This is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth… no, THIS is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth!” Coop’s Place was hands down the best thing ever- their tasting plate was (a) huge and (b) incredible. Rabbit stew? Yes please. We did do Bourbon Street, and it was exactly what I expected- cheap beer, bros and generally ridiculousness. Like the Jersey Shore, but with more humidity and less sand.
The French Market was awesome. Central Grocery made me want to cry- I wanted to pack it up and take it home with me. I’m still having dreams about mufaletta. I can’t say enough about New Orleans. I freaking loved it.
On to Houston. Though I wasn’t there for long, wasn’t really a place I enjoyed. The whole city is so large area wise, kind of like Los Angeles, and it’s all motels and strip clubs. And I mean, everywhere. The saving grace was this little ice house we went to. Basically, it was like going to someone’s backyard house party—basketball court, random dogs everywhere, picnic tables and beer.
An awesome adventure. Lots of accents and “You girls ain’t from around these parts?” -
Interesting observation
Note: gas stations often have casinos attached to them in the Mississippi Delta.
