After departing Lafayette, the next few days were spent enjoying a second miniature reunion with Cathy's immediate family who reside some forty miles north of Dallas. As someone who grew up in close-in, relatively walkable suburbs and has since embraced urban living, I found it a bit of an adjustment. But I also saw the advantages it gave Cathy - beyond proximity to loved ones, of course - and came to realize how choosing a suburban destination would benefit many larger folks:
1) Value-priced hotels. Generally speaking, a hotel located in the suburbs will be less expensive than a comparable property in the city. A rare exception would be a town that is home to a major employment center or family attraction; I suspect that Plano, Texas may be one example that "bucks" the trend of lower-priced accommodations.
2) Free parking. Dallas, like most larger cities, has a city center which as relatively little on-street parking and garages whose charges can add up quickly. Most suburban locations, on the other hand, provide ample free parking often just steps away from your hotel or other destination.
3) "Early to bed, early to rise..." For those whose touring plans are primarily during the day, a city hotel that promotes its proximity to nightlife would not be beneficial. Of course, you may still want to go for a bite to eat or make an impulse purchase. Fortunately, many suburban hotels are strategically placed near restaurants and other useful amenities.
4) Public transportation access. On a previous visit, I did actually visit the city and was pleasantly surprised that a seemingly auto-centric city such as Dallas had a rather extensive transit network of trains and buses. Granted, this option may not always be available everywhere or even desirable. But for those who are comfortable with the choice, it can alleviate the problem of finding downtown parking. Traveling mid-day between rush hour would maximize the chance of having ample space to relax during the trip. Most buses have a "kneeling" feature that lowers the entryway for the customer. Also consider booking a bus tour. This is an easy way to get an overview of the city before deciding where to focus on afterwards. Sometimes it just takes a "drive-by" of a popular sight to decide that it's all you need to see of it.
In contrast to our mostly laid-back stay, our travels through the Lone Star State were more exciting, if unintentionally so. On the way to the Dallas metro, we were so into "the zone" of driving that we didn't
notice that we were practically out of gas. It took a cursory look at the fuel gauge with a range of less than 20 miles to shake us back into reality. We turned off both the the radio and A/C - not an easy thing to do in 90-degree weather - and crossed our fingers that we would not run out of energy. The car literally crawled into the gas station we finally found in Terrell, Texas. The irony of this was that we remembered that this was the hometown of Jamie Foxx, one of our favorite entertainers whose satellite radio station we listened to often that trip.
The other accidental adventure happened on the way to Albuquerque as we decided to overnight in Amarillo. But that's a story for another time.
I would be remiss by not mentioning that the Dallas portion of the trip became memorable for something that happened in Los Angeles. It was here that we all learned of Michael Jackson's hospitalization and subsquent passing. The "King of Pop" would go on to play an important role as we later arrived in Los Angeles.
Note: I had intended to keep a running total of the states that we visited. So this is a chance for me to play a little catch-up. So far we had crossed through Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, (a slice of) Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas. States visited:8.
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, July 17, 2010
The SOL Tour - June 23-24
The next part of our tour was a bit of nostalgia for my companion, the Louisiana native. We stayed overnight in Lafayette, the gateway to Louisiana's Acadiana region aka "Cajun Country" and a (even more) laid-back experience than New Orleans. We took a quick tour around Cathy's collegiate alma mater, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, formerly known to her as Southwest Lousiana State University. The "Ragin' Cajun" picked up a few souvenirs at the Student Bookstore, including a keychain she still uses to this day.
Being nothing if not consistent we stayed at the Crowne Plaza Lafayette. Our room was indeed typical albeit with a bit of personalized spice offering stylish pillow throws and a few region-inspired features in the room. The fitness center optimized the use of its small space although towels and a water cooler would have been helpful. Our experience in the hotel restaurant was good as well.As most patrons were gathered in the bar to cheer LSU against Texas in the College World Series, we got personalized service in the dining area from our server who enjoyed hearing about the progress on our cross-country trip. Although we declined an offer for dessert due to our well-fed stomachs, the server nonetheless gifted us with a "lagniappe" of cake to take with us.
Being nothing if not consistent we stayed at the Crowne Plaza Lafayette. Our room was indeed typical albeit with a bit of personalized spice offering stylish pillow throws and a few region-inspired features in the room. The fitness center optimized the use of its small space although towels and a water cooler would have been helpful. Our experience in the hotel restaurant was good as well.As most patrons were gathered in the bar to cheer LSU against Texas in the College World Series, we got personalized service in the dining area from our server who enjoyed hearing about the progress on our cross-country trip. Although we declined an offer for dessert due to our well-fed stomachs, the server nonetheless gifted us with a "lagniappe" of cake to take with us.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
The SOL Tour - June 21-23
After saying our goodbyes early afternoon to Cathy's family who were staying on at Jellystone Park for another night, we headed down to our next stop in New Orleans.
Cathy is essentially a New Orleans area native, having spent most of her childhood and early adult years there. Ironically, the weekend she helped me move to Virginia was also the weekend that the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina was starting to be felt along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Mississippi. We resolved that we would visit the area during the Christmas season of 2006 and support it with our tourist dollars. We received our first clue of what was to come when we saw the damage along the Biloxi shoreline. Cathy pointed out areas where grand homes once stood but were there no longer. A few casinos had reopened on land after the riverboats that had once housed them were destroyed. The entrance into New Orleans itself was rather eerie. It was early evening and there was nary a streetlight in sight so we drove mostly in darkness through the New Orleans East neighborhood. Cathy recognized a mall and pointed out a high water mark that was taller than both of us combined. Around where we stayed in the French Quarter, recovery was well underway although some businesses were closed a couple days early so that the employees could enjoy their holiday on what was an unusually slow time. Those in the hospitality field that we did encounter were genuinely thankful for our business and grateful to be working even on Christmas Day.
Fast forward to about two and a half years later. We chose the Astor Crowne Plaza French Quarter, our home for our previous stay. The hotel is literally around the corner from Bourbon Street, making it convenient to all of the excitement there. The property had completed its renovations and was everything one would expect from a four-star property known for understated elegance. I particularly enjoyed the exercise room - which was not yet available previously - from which one could see the rooftop pool. The one drawback would be its valet parking fee of $31 per night. While one may consider it excessive, the hotel is not alone in charging at that level since parking space is at a premium and self-parking options are not a convenient walk from most surrounding hotels.
One of the best things about Bourbon Street is having the street closed off to traffic so visitors can wander around the many music venues, bars and, er, "adult entertainment" clubs within relatively close range. However, this may not always be an advantage for a larger person. There are no benches or other places for people to rest along the street. Patronizing a venue would be the only option to find a seat. Fortunately this is relatively easy to do, or at least it was during summer mid-week. Outside of the Hurricane drink purveyors and hot dog cart merchants, most other businesses offer reasonably priced fare. For a somewhat more local flavor, check out the bars and clubs along Frenchmen Street a mile north in the Fauborg-Marigny neighborhood; if returning home late night, having a cab phone number handy would be useful.
One morning I indulged myself in a ride on the revamped St. Charles Avenue Streetcar. For a mere dollar and change, I received a good hour or so of laid-back if humid entertainment , the highlight of which was observing all the stately home in the Garden District. The streetcar seats were ample and if traveling outside of the commuting rush, it should not be a problem to find a place to sit. Some may need a hand up on the streetcar as it is not a "kneeling bus".
On the way out of town, we stopped along Magazine Street, a somewhat contiguous area of trendy and funky boutiques and restaurants. Parking on a mid-day afternoon wasn't bad but could be challenging on evenings and weekends. However, few would look at you askance if you decided to rest a bit on the high curbs.
If you're looking for a city where you can both party hard and experience history all in a laid-back atmosphere, you can't do much better than New Orleans.
Cathy is essentially a New Orleans area native, having spent most of her childhood and early adult years there. Ironically, the weekend she helped me move to Virginia was also the weekend that the devastating impact of Hurricane Katrina was starting to be felt along the Gulf Coast in Louisiana and Mississippi. We resolved that we would visit the area during the Christmas season of 2006 and support it with our tourist dollars. We received our first clue of what was to come when we saw the damage along the Biloxi shoreline. Cathy pointed out areas where grand homes once stood but were there no longer. A few casinos had reopened on land after the riverboats that had once housed them were destroyed. The entrance into New Orleans itself was rather eerie. It was early evening and there was nary a streetlight in sight so we drove mostly in darkness through the New Orleans East neighborhood. Cathy recognized a mall and pointed out a high water mark that was taller than both of us combined. Around where we stayed in the French Quarter, recovery was well underway although some businesses were closed a couple days early so that the employees could enjoy their holiday on what was an unusually slow time. Those in the hospitality field that we did encounter were genuinely thankful for our business and grateful to be working even on Christmas Day.
Fast forward to about two and a half years later. We chose the Astor Crowne Plaza French Quarter, our home for our previous stay. The hotel is literally around the corner from Bourbon Street, making it convenient to all of the excitement there. The property had completed its renovations and was everything one would expect from a four-star property known for understated elegance. I particularly enjoyed the exercise room - which was not yet available previously - from which one could see the rooftop pool. The one drawback would be its valet parking fee of $31 per night. While one may consider it excessive, the hotel is not alone in charging at that level since parking space is at a premium and self-parking options are not a convenient walk from most surrounding hotels.
One of the best things about Bourbon Street is having the street closed off to traffic so visitors can wander around the many music venues, bars and, er, "adult entertainment" clubs within relatively close range. However, this may not always be an advantage for a larger person. There are no benches or other places for people to rest along the street. Patronizing a venue would be the only option to find a seat. Fortunately this is relatively easy to do, or at least it was during summer mid-week. Outside of the Hurricane drink purveyors and hot dog cart merchants, most other businesses offer reasonably priced fare. For a somewhat more local flavor, check out the bars and clubs along Frenchmen Street a mile north in the Fauborg-Marigny neighborhood; if returning home late night, having a cab phone number handy would be useful.
One morning I indulged myself in a ride on the revamped St. Charles Avenue Streetcar. For a mere dollar and change, I received a good hour or so of laid-back if humid entertainment , the highlight of which was observing all the stately home in the Garden District. The streetcar seats were ample and if traveling outside of the commuting rush, it should not be a problem to find a place to sit. Some may need a hand up on the streetcar as it is not a "kneeling bus".
On the way out of town, we stopped along Magazine Street, a somewhat contiguous area of trendy and funky boutiques and restaurants. Parking on a mid-day afternoon wasn't bad but could be challenging on evenings and weekends. However, few would look at you askance if you decided to rest a bit on the high curbs.
If you're looking for a city where you can both party hard and experience history all in a laid-back atmosphere, you can't do much better than New Orleans.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
The SOL Tour - June 20-21
So after our rest stop in greater Chattanooga, we headed out early for greater Jackson, MS, arriving at Jellystone Park at mid-afternoon. We were staying with Cathy's immediate family all in one cabin. While there were nine of us in total, the "senior" adults ranked getting one of the two private bedrooms. In addition, there was an upstairs loft. (There are other accommodations of varying size and amenities.) The bed was comfortable enough and Cathy appreciated the shower/tub combination on the main floor. There were only a few steps leading into the cabin, albeit steep ones, that Cathy was not fond of. We did notice other cabins where one could walk straight in; Cathy made a mental note of those for the future. What I liked the most was the back deck which faced the lake; I took advantage of this early the next morning, sitting outside and listening to the birds and other "exotic" local creatures as they went about their morning routine.
As you can imagine from the Yogi Bear-inspired theme, this is a very family-friendly park. It has a nice playground area where the Hanna Barbera characters will mingle with the crowd. They are even available to "tuck in" the youngest in your group for an extra fee. A car would be advisable for those who prefer to minimize their walking as, depending on where your lodge is, the road would be relatively long and gravely.
Anyone who has met Cathy and I know that we are a study in contrasts in several interesting ways. (If you haven't already been there, check us out at http://www.travelabundantly.com/ . Cathy and I are the "VIPs" on the left side of the home page.) While our immediate families have each welcomed us with open arms, our extended families somewhat accentuate our differences which made for some anticipated intrigue. However, Cathy's family could not have been nicer and it was a pleasant if unintentionally short visit as we would leave the next day for New Orleans.
As you can imagine from the Yogi Bear-inspired theme, this is a very family-friendly park. It has a nice playground area where the Hanna Barbera characters will mingle with the crowd. They are even available to "tuck in" the youngest in your group for an extra fee. A car would be advisable for those who prefer to minimize their walking as, depending on where your lodge is, the road would be relatively long and gravely.
Anyone who has met Cathy and I know that we are a study in contrasts in several interesting ways. (If you haven't already been there, check us out at http://www.travelabundantly.com/ . Cathy and I are the "VIPs" on the left side of the home page.) While our immediate families have each welcomed us with open arms, our extended families somewhat accentuate our differences which made for some anticipated intrigue. However, Cathy's family could not have been nicer and it was a pleasant if unintentionally short visit as we would leave the next day for New Orleans.
Monday, July 5, 2010
The SOL Tour - June 19th
Actually this "should" read June 18th. That was Cathy's last (half-)day of the schoolteaching season. We had planned to leave later that afternoon. But the closing-out process turned out to be more complicated than she anticipated. So we put off the start of the trip until the next day. We had a lot of ground to cover as we knew we would already be missing the first night of Cathy's family reunion in Jackson, MS.
We spent most of the day on I-81, passing through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia passing into Tennessee. One of our early highlights, especially for Cathy, was a stop at Krystal, an old favorite of hers from road trips past that was near the VA/TN border.
After about 600 miles, we settled in for the night at a Comfort Inn in the Knoxville area. There was nothing particularly remarkable about this particular hotel. We did consider ourselves lucky to get a room on the ground floor just steps from the front desk.
We spent most of the day on I-81, passing through the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia passing into Tennessee. One of our early highlights, especially for Cathy, was a stop at Krystal, an old favorite of hers from road trips past that was near the VA/TN border.
After about 600 miles, we settled in for the night at a Comfort Inn in the Knoxville area. There was nothing particularly remarkable about this particular hotel. We did consider ourselves lucky to get a room on the ground floor just steps from the front desk.
The 2009 Summer Of Love Tour
A lot of this blog will be a recounting of the cross-country road trip that my lady Cathy and I experienced in the summer of 2009. We nicknamed it the "Summer of Love Tour" not only to honor the cultural phenomenon forty years earlier but also as a tongue-in-cheek test to see how well we would get along after 6500 miles.
We were faced with a pleasant dilemma of sorts. Each of us were compelled to attend our respective family reunions. Cathy's was near Jackson, Mississippi; mine was near Los Angeles, California. And then there was the Las Vegas BBW Bash that we wanted to attend. Of course, all of this was going to be happening in a four-week period. After trying to figure out the logistics of flying all or part of the journey, we decided we would be better off just driving. One of the greatest benefits was that we were able to visit parts of the country that we had never seen before.
I hope you enjoy this re-telling of our experience and that you learn something from it that will assist you in your own travels.
We were faced with a pleasant dilemma of sorts. Each of us were compelled to attend our respective family reunions. Cathy's was near Jackson, Mississippi; mine was near Los Angeles, California. And then there was the Las Vegas BBW Bash that we wanted to attend. Of course, all of this was going to be happening in a four-week period. After trying to figure out the logistics of flying all or part of the journey, we decided we would be better off just driving. One of the greatest benefits was that we were able to visit parts of the country that we had never seen before.
I hope you enjoy this re-telling of our experience and that you learn something from it that will assist you in your own travels.
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