Blogs from New Orleans, Louisiana, United States, North America - page 4

I have loved this city from my first visit in the early 80s, to my most recent in 2013 for Super Bowl 47. While the food is good, I think it is the spirit of the people here. They have been through so much here, particularly Hurricane Katrina. It seems nothing would ever make them leave the area, no matter how difficult life has become. Tennessee Williams one said, “America only has three cities: New York, San Francisco, and New Orleans. Everywhere else is Cleveland.” While this might be a slightly judgmental exaggeration, there is no doubt that New Orleans stands out. So, I will do all the fun, touristy things, like Johnny's Po' Boys, some beignets at Cafe Du Monde, some jazz, some oysters at Acme, and Felix's. Food is important here. Believe it or ... read more

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Many of you are big fans of Starbucks. Fine. I am a big fan of Peet's Coffee. Fine. But when I travel, where do I get my coffee? First, I always bring my Peet's French Roast with me. I try to make a cup or two in my room with the coffee maker (mostly poor quality, by the way), before I head out to breakfast or just more coffee. Second, I tend to skip Starbucks in favor of a local, or less popular place in the neighborhood. I prefer the Mom and Pop places. But if I cannot find one, I choose a small cafe or breakfast joint. My last option is always a restaurant chain, like an IHOP or Waffle Shop. Over the years, I have found some great places. Venture to Vegas, off the ... read more

There is always a mix of excitement, anticipation and even a little dread as we get ready to set out on our next adventure. Our last trip was no different, or so it seemed. Our niece, Holly, had been planning her Savannah wedding for over a year. March 28th had been set and all plans were being finalized. Since we had spent some time with Holly and Dan (her fiancé) last summer we were getting very excited to see them again and to share in their excitement and happiness of marriage. And of course, Savannah, Tybee Island, and Hilton Head are all favorite camp bases that we enjoy on the east coast. Our particular challenge this trip was the fact that Jeffrey’s birthday was just a few days after the wedding, and of course, we could ... read more

In the world of college football, bowl games are beauty pageants at the end of the season that both end the year and set up the next one. Unless you’re playing for a national championship, that is. All the other games at the end of December and the beginning of January are understood to show the direction of your program—if you win the bowl game, you’re in good shape and get a little boost going into next year. Lose, and some people may get fired, but questions will certainly be asked about the health of your program. There are also several levels to bowl games; let’s call them tiers. The Playoff is the top tier, since only the four teams involved in it have a shot at winning the title. The next tier comprises the “New ... read more