#seeslimgo

October 6, 2017 -- After leaving Dallas (fully stocked on Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and other healthy roadtrip snacks), I veered north where most cross-country road-trippers would continue West. I really wanted to see friends in Denver. Plus, I have never been to Oklahoma or Kansas (and I’m not sure if I’ll ever have reason to go). Blink and you could miss the “Welcome to Oklahoma” sign. But you could never miss the fields of wind turbines or this up-close encounter with a wind turbine blade being hauled along the highway. I stopped briefly in Oklahoma City. That’s about all I have to say about that. 

October 4, 2017 -- I was told I had to have some “boudin” before I left southern Louisiana, so naturally I found it at a used car joint. Boudin is basically Cajun sausage. Stuffed with what? Dunno, but it was good.

October 2-4, 2017 -- I arrived in New Orleans (barely) late at night. In typical New Orleans fashion, a huge storm hit before I arrived, flooding many off-ramps and city streets. I slogged through the remaining flooding and made it to my friend’s place, where I spent a couple excellent days exploring a new part of NOLA, Mid-City. The neighborhood is away from the French Quarter and the other typical tourist spots. It’s also adjacent to City Park (supposedly 50% larger than Central Park) where I spent a full day exploring. I fell in love with New Orleans like I never have on previous visits. The culture, architecture, and people are more authentic than anywhere else in the country, in my opinion.

October 4, 2017 -- I was really hoping that this road trip would lead me to small, random towns I would otherwise find myself in, and this day, it delivered. This serendipitous encounter happened in Natchitoches, Louisiana (chances are it is not pronounced how you’re thinking unless you’re from Louisiana), right off the highway on my way to Dallas. A friend and former colleague from DC had recently moved there and invited me for lunch. Natchitoches is charming and actually pretty bustling (or maybe just poorly planned?). I grew up in the south, but I hadn’t seen actual fields of cotton until pulling into this town. It’s also the home to the movie "Steel Magnolias" that came out the year I was born.

October 4-6, 2017 -- After a quick stop in Natchitoches, I made it to Dallas -- my first time here! Dallas overwhelmed me with its sprawl and traffic, but in hindsight, it was only preparing me for life in San Diego. And when in the heart of Texas in October, one does not pass up the Texas State Fair. I’ll never forget that fried cinnamon bun (not pictured, sadly).

October 2, 2017 --  Atlanta was the perfect start to my road trip. Met up with amazing and hospitable friends, had excellent food and craft beer, and enjoyed the BeltWay (pedestrian walkway with art installations and parks). Next up was New Orleans. But on the way, I serendipitously met up with a friend in Birmingham, AL, a city I’ve never been before! Here I am at Vulcan Park and Museum on Red Mountain (part of the Appalachians!). Sadly, Sloss Furnaces, an old iron-plant-turned-art-center, was closed that day.

September 30, 2017 -- Piedmont Park and Popsicles in Atlanta. Little did I know, this was the first of many visits to city parks along my cross-country road trip. More about those later.

September 30, 2017 -- After a little downtime (and mom time) in Charlotte, I hit the road again. This time, heading west. Check out my blog post for more about how I landed on that decision. First stop: Hotlanta!