So after our night in Van Horn, we got up and motored our way to Austin. What we noticed on our drive is how massive Texas really is. We were barely going halfway across the state and it took about 8 hours. I think the totality of I-10 (which is the closest thing you'll get to going the farthest distance across the state, though it's not a straight line) is 878 miles. It's ridiculous. So on our way to Austin we stopped at the famous Salt Lick BBQ in Driftwood. It was amazing, delicious, and I ate way too much. I decided to get the all you can eat plate. I had two servings and then felt overly full. My stomach was not happy the rest of the night, which sucked because when did get to our hotel room, all I wanted to do was lie down and do nothing. Here's what the grill looked like:
So we didn't go out that night. The next morning we decided to go to see Inception at one of the Alamo Drafthouse movie theaters. What's really cool about this place is that they serve you food and beer during the movie, and have some really cool shorts and clips before the movie starts. The prices are reasonable too, and the quality of the theater was just as good as any high end theater I've been to. The movie was great, as was the overall experience of the theater. Definitely wish they had them around the country. After the movie, we drove back to the hotel, and grabbed the shuttle to downtown. We meandered through part of the city and saw the capitol, as well as walking down 6th Street, which is where most of the bars and clubs are. Of course it was the middle of the day, so nothing was happening, but we saw a few cool shops, and made our way to a really awesome record shop where I got another 7 CDs, most of which I can't find anywhere but online (or they were used and a good deal). We then walked across downtown to eat at Stubb's BBQ. This place is also a music club, but nothing was happening that night, so we just had some more delicious BBQ. I actually love their sauce, and used to buy it all the time. We then called for the shuttle because it was going to be a long drive the next day, and I didn't want to be tired at all if I could muster it.The next morning we left the hotel around 10 and made our way to New Orleans. It wa about a 9 hour drive, and we got in around 8ish. Jackie had some friends who lived in the city previously, and was told of a few places to go, and I also found out that Rebirth Brass Band (who I really like) was playing that night. Once we got to our room, we changed and headed out to the French Quarter. We checked out Tipitina's (where the show was) and decided to come back later if we could get in, and found our way to Pat O'Brien's, which is supposedly the place where the Hurricane drink was invented. Neither of us had one, but I had a mint julep, which was delcious; the only other time I had one was at the Kentucky Derby, and it was 90% ice. We had some fried alligator bites as an appetizer, and I had shrimp creole for dinner. It was very good. We then decided to walk around Bourbon Street. We got hand grenades at Tropical Isle, and meandered, looking for a club that had good music. After stopping in one that had cajun music and another that had traditional New Orleans jazz (Preservation Hall style), we found a place called Blues Club, and sat down for a set by an R&B cover band. They were great. The highlight for me was their cover of Bill Wither's "Use Me," while Jackie enjoyed their version of Joe Cocker's "You Can Leave Your Hat On." It was about 12:15AM, and we decided to see if Rebirth had played yet and see if we could get in. We lucked out and they hadn't played, and it wasn't sold out, and it was only $10. Plus it was a benefit for the oil spill, so it was all good. Now you have to understand, my hope and goal was to see a brass band in New Orleans, and if I was lucky, it would be Rebirth. So basically I was extactic. They were awesome, though they only played for like 1.5 hours. Just great stuff. We walked back to the hotel and passed out. The next morning I got in contact with one of my mom's cousins who I had never met before, and we planned on meeting up for dinner and to see Ellis Marasalis that night. In the meantime, Jackie and I grabbed some lunch at a great seafood place called Red Fish Cafe, and then walked to Louis Armstrong Park. We were disappointed to find out that the park was closed for refurbishment. We then walked down Bourbon and meandered through shops. We got back to the hotel room and got ready for the evening. My cousin picked us up and we met a friend of his, and then he took us to this amazing little restaurant on the west side of the city. I drank a sazarac, ate fried green tomatoes, had black drum (local fish), and a sundae. It was amazingly delicious, and it was all paid for by my relative, Jonathan. I couldn't believe it; he continued the trend the rest of the time we hung out. We then drove over to the east side of the Quarter and got to Snug Harbor, which is the club were Ellis Marsalis plays almost every Friday night. He was great, as was his band. We then drove into the Quarter and walked around parts we didn't before, had beignets at Cafe du Monde, and then walked along the Mississippi River. We then went back to the hotel (it was about midnight) and planned on meeting up in the morning. Next morning we packed up and met Jon, and went to brunch at a place called Mother's. It was delicious, but was way too filling for me. I had eggs, debris (which is like bits of roast beef), grits, a pancake, and biscuits. I ate maybe 1/2 of it and took one of the biscuits to go. We then drove around the north end of the city to see where the damage of Katrina was, and still is. It was amazing. I couldn't believe that houses were still being gutted 5 years later, and that some houses were just GONE from their lot. Water lines were still visible too. It was crazy. We then went back to the hotel said goodbye, and started a long drive. We drove about 10 hours to Anderson, SC, and stopped for the night. This morning we got up and made our way to Greensboro, NC, where my uncle lives, and that's where I'm writing from now. Tomorrow I'm dropping Jackie off around Richmond where her cousin will pick her up and we will part ways, and I will go to Norfolk to visit my friends Jim and Abby, then I head home. Can't believe it's almost over.
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