The Gulf Coast and inland to Atlanta (Norcross really, but Atlanta sounds more impressive)

This morning we left Baton Rouge and headed out toward the Gulf Coast. We followed the I-12 through Covington and Slidell and linked up with the I-10 shortly after the Mississippi line I saw a sign advertising beaches. I had to turn off. Joey and I found ourselves driving along US 90 towards someplace that ended up being Waveland. After driving through neighborhoods looking at houses built on piers we found a spot to park and wandered into the Gulf of Mexico.

We took US 90 until Gulfport then meandered towards the I-10 East. We turned onto I-65 at Mobile, we really wanted to go into Florida but it was after noon by the time we got to Mobile, we would have never made it to Atlanta at a reasonable time. We're already discussing another trip to the Gulf Coast next year.
Not a whole lot between Mobile and Montgomery for us on this trip.

Here are a few from Montgomery to Atlanta. We ran into some traffic after Montgomery we sat in traffic for about an hour. That was loads of fun! You know, nothing beats stop and go traffic. Thanks to our excursions earlier today we got into Hotlanta late enough to avoid most of the commuter traffic. We stayed on I-85 all the way through though. Much better than driving through Dallas. We finally don't have to worry about changing our watches and clocks until we start to head back.

Today was certainly a great drive. We will be visiting the Gulf Coast again. Anybody out there who has never been should go if they get the opportunity. I know that Joey and I will be travelling much more. -Mike and Joey, still travelling.

Dallas to Baton Rouge or: How we learned to stop worrying and love the Swamp.

All I can saw is that WE LOVE THE SWAMP. How could this be, Mike and Joey? Aren't you desert dwellers, nearly Fremen? Well yes, although Joey and I will not take your body for the tribes water.

The drive through Dallas was started around 0730, traffic was wonderfully light and we stayed in the same lane all the way around and through the highways. East of Dallas was lots of long green grass and trees, whole heaps even. We saw turtles trying to cross the road. That seems to be a very bad idea as Joey and I saw several along the side of the road, all ex-turtles who had joined the choir invisible. We saw our first Armadillo! That was super neat, I've always wanted to see one of those. The trip could be summed up as many trees and a whole bunch of grass. It's a little more nuanced than that though. We tend to see all kinds of things when we drive through places. When folks tell us "oh it's just flat wasteland" we see all the little dips and gentle rolling hills, even if slight. Here are a few pictures from the Dallas to Shreveport leg.

Lots of green and trees. Joey was still pretty tired and I don't blame him. He is eight years old and was cooped up in a car with a crazy old man. I did find out that my Hank Hill, Cleveland Brown and Randy Newman impressions are stop your breathing funny, at least to an eight year old. The drive from Shreveport to Natchitoches was mostly small talk and annoying drivers by not going too fast. Thankfully the left lane is for passing so they had somewhere to go. I'd never dream of driving below the speed limit on 95 in Nevada but here it was all good. We stopped in Natchitoches for lunch and some fuel. I managed to go from Dallas to there on 6 and 1/2 gallons. We had Popeyes, Joey had never eaten there before. Now Joey will be a regular or so he said to the lady at the counter.  Here's a few pictures from the Natchitoches to Lafayette leg. By the way, Jurisdictional boundaries mean nothing to Joey, Junior Texas Ranger. He will find you, even in the swamps of Louisiana.

From Lafayette we took the I-10 over the Atchafalayla Basin. Joey and I drove with the windows down and the A/C off. The swamp was great. It was warm though. 82 F or so. Not too bad. Surprisingly for those who know me I wasn't sweating at all. I kinda like the humidity, Joey was ambivalent. The bridge across the Atchafalaya River and the swamp was fun, being so far above the swamp was weird. We got off the freeway at the Butte LaRose exit. Wandered around the rest area and took a little drive down LA 3177. We tried to avoid bothering the local folks out riding their ATVs and Rhinos (of the mechanical persuasion), mostly successful, a few annoyed looks many surprised to see Nevada Plates. We got back onto the I-10, which was not as bad as I thought it was going to be. and headed into Baton Rouge. We crossed over the Mississippi River and we arrived. We still had a bit of driving to do to get to the hotel. but compared to Dallas it was a breeze. Tomorrow morning will be far different, I'm sure.

Tomorrow Joey and I head out toward Atlanta. I think we will skip Florida, it adds nearly 3 hours onto our trip and 9 hours is a long time to be locked up with me in a vehicle. Among our many plans for the day is to go dip our feet in the Gulf of Mexico. There will be pics as well and dinner at The Varsity in Norcross, GA. Stay safe everybody -Mike and Joey. P.S.-We may hit this little town called New Orleans on the way.

Viva Las Vegas?

We made it to Las Vegas. Our hotel, the Gold Spike is alright, I didn't feel unsafe wandering around it. Joey got a kick out of some of the people. Due to our late arrival there was not a lot of opportunity to take photos but we got a few near the Death Valley Nut and Candy Company and a few in our room.

Thankfully the drive into Las Vegas was uneventful except for the fact that to locals a speedlimt of 55 means 55 mph OVER the posted speedlimit and passing on the right at 90 is perfectly acceptable.

We ate dinner at the "Golden Grill" for dinner. It was Decent, Joey had the steak and shrimp and I had the chicken fried steak. We both left happy.

I'm tired and tomorrow we drive to Albuquerque, NM. Goodnight all.