The only picture I took today. Downtown New Orleans. Looking a lot better!!
Got up and took my time getting things together. On the road around 9:30 am. I was thinking of trying for Austin, TX then changed my mind to Houston. Then as I got into Houston I thought "Why Not" never been to Austin and talked about going so heck, I'm just gonna do it.
The 10 frwy through Alabama lasts only a few miles since that spot in Alabama was made to include a harbor when they were cutting out the states. Smart move on their part. So in quick succession it was Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana all in a space of an hour. Then around 1pm I got into Texas. The interstate isn't much different scenery wise from one state to another. One thing that is a nice benefit to the Southern States travel is that the rest stops are wonderful. Nicely designed buildings with parks surrounding the area, vending machines and very clean.
Got out my CDs that Katie had made for me over the years and took a little trip down memory lane. Funny how songs put you right back into the time you first heard them or listened to them a lot. i love that.
My last stop in Louisiana today was at my favorite: Cracker Barrel where I went in to just get a bottle of coke, the kind that needs a bottle opener. Luckily I remembered to ask them to open it before I left. The cashier looked and sounded just like Bill Clinton...hmmmm is he moonlighting these days?! Then I sat in their famous rockers on the front porch and just enjoyed the time out of the car. There were a mess of what Lou and I always call "Texas roadside rest blackbirds" since that is where we first noticed them on our first trip out. I was getting back in my car when I realized there were all these birds taking the shade underneath other cars to keep cool. I spotted one who seemed to be giving the under carriage of a Honda a good once over "there's your problem" was seeming to be ready to come out of his beak....yeah, I am weird, but I love birds. Maybe I was one in another life?::0
Went through New Orleans and although it wasn't hard to miss the remaining aftermath of hurricane Katrina from 2005, there was a lot of improvement since we went through there in 2006. I felt relieved for them! Crossed Lake Ponchatrain on a newly built bridge. I am sure the previous one didn't make it through the worst of Katrina. You can tell which part of Interstate 10 has been repaired in recent years there isn't the bumpily bump from the seams that seem characteristic of I-10 in the older sections.
Took Hwy 71 up to Austin as the sun was setting. Got a fierce hunger in time for refueling the car so we all, me and the car got our refueling at the same Chevron Station. The store was a mexican deli and boy did they know how to bake up some yummies. Can't do the pastries, but I did get some yummy summer sausage and doritos to go with it. Along with my water and kraft caramels I had a complete dinner. I had two apples earlier in the day so the fresh stuff was accounted for...sort of!
I just checked in around 9pm so I got a shower and am ready to crash. Tomorrow will be another long Texas ride day. I will break out the book I downloaded and enjoy that!
Happy Trails<3
No comments:
Post a Comment