Cross-Country Blog Log: That Ol' Highway's A Callin' (Part II)

New Orleans


Survived the drive from SA to NO thanks to some intense calisthenic exercises, tandem style. Arrived at the Marriott hotel around 9:00 pm; still plenty of time to get our NOLA New Year's groove on. Was almost tempted to stay in for the night since this hotel had FREE WI-FI!! Made our way into the French Quarter around 9:30 and after parking about a mile away, suddenly found ourselves in the vortex of sin: Bourbon St. But the drunkards and the thumpers were actually really amusing and energetic, and there were some really cool live jazz bands blaring through the cafe windows. Then we waited in line for a while to get in the Cafe Chartres where we had jambalaya, fried shrimp, and spicy hush puppies. Counted down the final 10 seconds on St. Peter + Decatur St. near Jackson Park and then watched a fireworks display by the bridge. It was a lot of fun. Desi did his best to let everyone know that "2007 sucks". Like most parties involving alcohol this one left its fair share of teary-eyed damsels in its wake and we witnessed at least one awesome heated argument between a couple. It left me curious, do these guys chose to drop relationship bombs on their girlfriends immediately following the start of the new year. Shouldn't there be like at least a 2-hour grace period in which neither party shall be allowed to deliver any serious relationship blows? Anyways, I enjoyed myself.

Pensacola


Made our way through Mobile, AL without getting the Memphis blues--team morale was still at a favorable level. Arrived at Pensacola around 3:00 pm and couldn't decide where to dine. There was a Mexican place called La Hacienda which supposedly had "the only salsa in town" so we had to determine if we wanted any salsa for lunch. We stopped at a Gulf of Mexico beach park to weigh our options and scope out the coast. We were approached by this bum in the first two places we parked so we got back in the car and looked for a spot that was a little more remote. We got close to the water and it was freezing and windy. We walked closer to the ledge and I asked Des what it would take him to go swimming in it. He answered $100. I countered with 2 gift cards valued at $90.10 (after activation fees) and he accepted. I couldn't stop laughing at the thought of it and then he was suddenly completely submerged. As he raced back to get out of the water another bum rode by on his bike and declared that Des's manliness exceeded that of his own (in not so many words). Once that little adventure was over, we had burned enough time that Outback would now be open for dinner. Once they opened the doors we rushed in to beat the senior couple and enjoyed a delicious meal before pressing on to Jacksonville.

Jacksonville


Stayed at an oceanfront Marriott Fairfield on the cheap. It was OK. The hot tub in the morning was nice except for the chilly wind which prompted us to cut our dry off short and just run inside the hotel still sopping wet. Once showered and checked out we walked over to the beach and endured it for about 10 minutes until a blistering cold gust of wind picked up. So this is why people don't go to the beach in the winter... My source has just informed me that Florida is experiencing its lowest temperatures since 1928. Yikes.