How I Spent My Summer Vacation v1.5

Day Eight. The Wild Atlantic.     
     After several relaxing days doing nothing in Orange Beach we were so spoiled and wanted more of the same so we decided to get on the Interstate and make a beeline for the Atlantic Coast.

     Years ago we had attended a friend’s wedding in Neptune Beach, which is one of the small beach towns that lie on the coast just east of Jacksonville, Florida. We thought we knew what to expect, a small sleepy village, after-all we had stayed in one of only a few hotels on the beach. Well, things do change.

     What we found was a sprawling metropolis with all the commercial chains that every other big city has. However, I have to admit I still liked Neptune Beach, at least people seemed to live there; it wasn’t all just tourists. We even found the fun little restaurant where we had the rehearsal dinner all those years ago. Yes, it had moved to a new place and was much bigger, but it was still as delicious and fun as it was then.

     We tried to get accommodations at a neat 1960’s looking type motel on the beach, the Seahorse Inn, but they were full so we had to stay at a hotel chain, but the beach was great. The next day we returned to the Seahorse and were able to sneak into a fantastic little bar called The Lemon Bar.

     Jax Beaches have grown a lot, but for a short visit they still retain a lot of the charm we experienced so many years ago.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation v1.4

Day Five. Bye-bye New Orleans…Hello Orange Beach

     A good friend from my teaching days at the University knows how much I enjoy New Orleans and Key West so he recommended Orange Beach, Alabama as a place I might like. We left New Orleans on U.S. Highway 90 along the coast and by mid-afternoon we were in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. I had read about the life and art of Walter Anderson in Gunnar Hansen’s book, Islands at the Edge of Time. Anderson was an eclectic naturalist and artist that lived in Ocean Springs and spent much of his time on Horn Island, which lies about 12 miles out in the Gulf across the Mississippi Sound. Anderson died in 1965 at the age of sixty-two. His family still owns Shearwater Pottery in Ocean Springs.

     In 1951 Walter Anderson painted a mural on the interior walls of the Oceans Springs Community Center. His work was so immediately disliked the local citizens wanted to paint over it. After the criticism he basically became a recluse living most of his life on Horn Island.

     The afternoon we stopped in Ocean Springs the Community Center was closed because they were restoring Walter Anderson’s murals. We were able to tour a small museum next door and see some examples of Anderson’s work, watercolors and pottery. I can say his work is definitely “unique”. From the amount of replications available for sale I would say he is, in death, a thriving resource for Ocean Springs.


Sign on Men's bathroom door
at Alabama reststop

      By early evening we had arrived in Orange Beach. I was a bit surprised, very tidy and neat and touristy. I suppose I was expecting something a bit more bohemian. We stayed at the recommended Island House, which was very nice but more like a condominium hotel than the beach retreat I was hoping for. Don’t get me wrong, lovely place, but I was in the mood for a more original experience, sometimes “rustic” can be nice. However, the beach was nice, the pool relaxing, good places to eat nearby so we stayed on for a few days.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation v1.3

Day Four: A Perfect Day in New Orleans
     Before we moved on along the coast we decided to spend another day enjoying New Orleans. Last time I had visited the city all the streetcar lines were running except the St. Charles line. It was still down from damage due to Hurricane Katrina. The St. Charles line is my favorite street car ride. I go from Canal Street out through the warehouse district and the Garden District to S. Carrollton Ave. and back.
     It was still early morning, just after rush hour, but the day was already building to be hot and humid. We decided to take the St. Charles streetcar out to the Camellia Grill for a late breakfast. The car was mostly empty and didn’t stop very much. Most of the windows were down and as we rushed along the breeze flowing across my face felt wonderful.
     At the end of St. Charles we got off and walked across the street to our breakfast destination. I had heard that the Camellia Grill was a great place for breakfast. Regretfully, I wasn’t that impressed. Yes, it does have old south charm, with the waiters running around in their white jackets but in the end it is just a diner. I thought the food was on the level of a Waffle House. Perhaps I just over-anticipated.
     We walked back through the Garden District to the Audubon Zoo. It was getting hot so we hopped the streetcar back to Canal Street and started to walk the French Quarter. As is common along the Gulf, the early afternoon humidity turned to light sun-showers. We were walking along Dauphine Street when large drops of moisture began to pelt the hot sidewalk. At that moment I spotted a used book store. Now I am a sucker for any used bookstore, but in New Orleans, on a rainy afternoon, what more could you ask for. And it was just the type of place you would expect, crammed to the rafters with piles of old books, barely enough room to walk the aisles. I was in heaven.

264 Dauphine Street, New Orleans

     The storm didn’t last long and in an hour we were on our way. I left Dauphine Street Books with an early work by Robert Ruark I had been unable to find, “Grenadine's Spawn”, and Ruth walked out with a New Orleans Dave Robicheaux mystery thriller by James Lee Burke. As we were only a couple of blocks away from the Acme Oyster House we stopped by for early afternoon oysters and a martini or two. After an afternoon swim at the Hotel Pierre and a creole dinner at the Gumbo Shop, one of my favorite places for seafood and orka gumbo, followed by a bit of music on Bourbon Street we were in bed still at an early hour. Yes, a very nice day indeed.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation v1.2

Sunday. June 5, 2011.

Day Three. Deep in the Heart of Acadiana.

     Sunday morning, after an early breakfast and a quick swim we were off. Our plan was to drive through the heart of Acadiana and eventually end up in New Orleans. Our route took us from Breaux Bridge, the self-proclaimed crawfish capitol of the world, to St. Martinville on Bayou Teche and home of the Evangeline Oak named for Longfellow’s 1847 epic poem that was supposedly taken from Acadian folk history. At New Iberia we saw the sign to Avery Island, not actually an island but a salt dome in the Louisiana swamp, owned by the McIlhenny family and home of Tabasco hot sauce so we just had to visit even though they weren’t bottling on Sunday. Check the link, it has an interesting history. While there we had a late lunch of red beans and rice with boudin and corn maque choux (a first for me). We washed it all down with an Abita Amber (out of the cooler, certainly not available on Avery Island).

     Even though it was getting late we decided to move on to New Orleans. The rest of the drive was uneventful unless you get a kick out of swamp. Just before dusk, on a beautiful early summer evening we arrived in New Orleans. This is one of my favorite cities. The old south, the Caribbean, Europe and Africa all seem to meet here; which results in a delightful blend of culture and people with never a shortage of unique characters.

     Last time we were in the Crescent City, while walking the backside of the Vieux Carre we came across a small hotel and cottages that looked delightful. So we headed directly to Burgundy Street and were happy to find one of the Hotel St. Pierre’s cottage rooms available at a very reasonable price. Soon we were shuttered in beside a beautiful little brick patio with a frangipani tree in full bloom. We had just enough daylight left to venture over to Iberville Street and have a couple dozen fresh oysters on the half shell at the Acme Oyster House. This time washed down with a frigid gin martini. After a quick stop at Matassa’s Market for a bottle of gin, tonic, lime and a Creole tomato and were back to the hotel just as Bourbon Street was beginning to come alive for the night.

How I Spent My Summer Vacation v1.1

Friday, June 3, 2011.
An All-Nighter to Louisiana

Our goal was to enjoy ourselves as we toured the gulf coast as economically as possible. A friend that has traveled the southeast told me he never makes reservations, just stops at a place that looks good. This gives him more leeway in his travels and he said he hasn’t had any trouble finding a place. Another friend that tours Europe said he and his wife, to save money and still enjoy the local cuisine, carry a cooler in the trunk of their rental car with delicious, local snacks. They only eat one expensive meal a day and picnic the rest of the time.

I have always been one to over plan my vacations. I like to know exactly what I am going to do and where I will be staying. I often spend more time worrying about keeping to my timetable than enjoying my vacation. So, it was difficult at first for me to travel in this more carefree and, hopefully, less expensive way.

After giving all the plants a good watering and then chasing the cat down, we didn’t get out of Kansas City until noon. We had decided to stay off the Interstate highways as much as possible so we took US 71 that runs from International Falls, MN, through Kansas City, deep into Louisiana. By early evening we stopped at a roadside park in Arkansas, popped the trunk and had sandwiches out of our cooler. We were still fresh and excited so we decided to keep driving. And we did until midnight, all the way to a rest stop in Acadia, Louisiana, where both of us, being sleepy, fell fast asleep.

Saturday, June 4, 2011.

Back on the Road Again

At 3am we were back on the road. We made it to Lafayette, Louisiana just after sunrise. After cruising the town a few times we selected a local redneck diner, called Mel’s for a breakfast of Cajun Eggs Benedict on a biscuit with grits.

I must say at this point our iPhones and several apps were crucial in making this a successful trip. Even though we were taking it one day at a time the apps allowed us to see what was in town and what we might want to do. We especially used Trip Advisor. And with the Map app we usually knew exactly where we were.

While it was still early and cool we made a visit to the local swamp, Bayou Vermillion and the Jean Lafitte Cultural Center where a nice local lady filled us in about Acadiana and Cajuns. After exploring the bayou, the afternoon heat and humidity was becoming oppressive. As luck would have it we stumbled across a local place called Artmosphere. I love unique local bars and dives. The fresh pizza “Lissa”, the ice cold Abita Amber beer, and the local characters were all superb.

It was at the bar that we learned about the Blue Moon Saloon, a place the locals gather for Cajun music and dancing. And it just happened that evening was a big night with several different groups playing.

The beer made us sleepy so we headed back out to the highway to get a room at the La Quinta Inn which was the cheapest we could find on Trip Advisor. After an afternoon swimming in the pool, we napped until time to get ready for the party.

An Evening in Acadia. Music, Food and Drink

Blue Moon Saloon, Lafayette, Louisiana.

The Saloon was having the Eight Annual fund raiser for “Archive Aid”.  The Center for Cultural and Eco-Tourism and the Archives of Cajun and Creole folklore at the University of Louisana - Lafayette work to document and preserve much of the local cajun music before it is lost. For $10 you got admission to hear four or five bands and all you could eat jambalaya. You had to buy your own booze which seemed to be flowing rather freely. The crowd was mixed: young, old, brown, white, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Unlike here in Kansas City, most everyone danced. Although they seemed to divide into two groups, the stompers and the gliders.

The bands were also diverse ages. One group would be old, another very young and still another multiple ages. My wife said the Cajuns reminded her a bit of the Ozarks people that live were I’m from in southern Missouri. She said the only difference is they seem to be having a lot more fun. I think that may be due to the difference between Catholics and Baptists and good beer drinkers and tee-totalers. They were still going strong when we left around midnight, totally fatigued but happy. Ca C’est bon!

Shakedown cruise...

        Tuesday we finally got out on the water. It has been so hot here (and everywhere in the Midwest) that Ruth and I waited until just before sunset and took the boat out for a shakedown cruise. She did well except that she won’t idle at the lowest speed and after you restart her several times a fuse burns out and that has to be replaced. Luckily we had spares.
        This was the first time I have been out on Longview Lake and there isn’t a lot to it. Mostly just a round oval with two arms that are shallow and full of old trees. I was surprised how warm the water was when we stopped for a swim. If this heat keeps up the lake water will feel like a hot tub soon.
        But we had to get off the Lake of the Ozarks. It was too far to drive and the other boats had just gotten too big. It just wasn’t fun anymore. I will give Longview a try for this year. Who knows maybe I’ll sell the runabout and buy a jet ski.

Summer in Kansas City

        Summer has finally arrived in Kansas City. After a prolonged winter and a spring full of rain we now have a full-fledged Midwestern summer. Temperatures are expected to soar above the century mark for the next week and beyond.

         After more than two years in dry dock my baby Sea Ray is back in the water. We launched her into Longview Lake last week. After almost five years on the waiting list for a slip at Blue Springs Lake I received a call in February that I finally had a summer home for my little 18’ runabout. All these years of waiting for a slip at Blue Springs to open up, I had been on the waiting list for the wrong lake. But who am I to argue with the Jackson County Parks Department? I took the slip at Longview Lake anyway.

        I didn’t get to put the boat into the water earlier this summer due to family responsibilities and profession upheaval, and I was out of the city until mid-July.
        I checked her out before we took her to the marina and she was running fine, launched her into the water, turned the ignition key…dead in the water. Luckily a kindly jet skier towed us over to our slip. And to think all these years that I have been bad-mouthing jet skis. It was just a blown fuse and after replacement she started right up but it was late in the day and we were tired so we delayed the long anticipated shakedown cruise until another day.

The Last Weekend of Summer Vacation

Due to the hiring freeze at the university I only get two weeks of vacation during the summer this year and we can’t have more than two professors gone at any one time. As I was late in arranging my time off I ended up getting the very first slot of the summer. Here it is June 27th and I’m on my last weekend of vacation. That means a long summer to go without any vacation time.

As I said before this is going to be my “on the road” summer and I’ve already done the loop to Minnesota, on to Milwaukee, Chicago, St. Louis, Columbia and back to Kansas City. With no more vacation I’m going to have to come up some local weekend ideas.

Even though the temperature has been in the 100s all week I have already been up early to ride the bike on the Little Blue Trace Trail. I got the Jackson County Parks boat and motor permit today so I’m ready for Lake Blue Springs and Longview Lake.

This Saturday, we started early at the City Market. It was hot and crowded, but you just have to keep it all in perspective. At 10am it was on to the Art Festival at the Power and Light District. The show was different than the normal Plaza and Brookside fairs as it is ran by a private company from Florida. I would agree with one participant that called it a good and bad show; some very good work and some not so good. We made it half way through and stopped for a beer at the Flying Saucer. I tried the special, Anchor Summer, delicious. A great beer establishment but I don’t think Ill be getting the 200 beer gold plate anytime soon. Then we finished up the art festival.


In the afternoon it was on to Grinders (where done of us had been before). Yes, their South Philly Cheese steak is good. Next winter I may have to try their “as seen on TV” specials; Famous Chili Bomb Pie and Bengal Tiger Pizza. Then it was back home for a short nap in the frigid air conditioning. We had planned a late afternoon movie; cool, dark with popcorn and soda. But I got the wrong time, so back again to the house for a light dinner of cucumber sandwiches and watermelon salsa and my special vodka lemonade with Pimms. Ahhh! What a day.

June 29, 2009 Update: To celebrate my first day back at school we ate George’s Hungarian goulash at Grinders with a couple of pints of Urebrough Blanche de Chambly.

On The Road - Day Two

I do believe every road sign in the states of Iowa and Minnesota has a bird perched on top of it. Either there are a lot of birds that like to see who is on the road or the signs are made that way, sort of a fake decoy.

Today was sunny and cool. It was great driving weather regretfully there isn’t a lot to see in southwest Minnesota except for lots of soybean and corn fields. Two new additions since my last trip were ethanol plants and large wind turbines.

I missed a turn and went out of my way for about 40 miles, but I am glad I did. I went through a town on the Minnesota River called New Ulm. It was another of those beautifully picturesque places that almost make me want to move back to the rural life.

On The Road - Day One

It rained all day my first day out of Kansas City. I left I-29 at St. Joe and turned straight north on US 71 to Clarinda, Iowa. Clarinda lays claim to both the birthplace home of Glenn Miller and the Goldenrod School (the birthplace of 4-H). I then cut over to US Route 59 to the beautiful little town of Shenandoah Iowa to see if the Corn Motel was still there. It wasn’t. I remember staying there on the way back from a summer in Canada in the early Sixties. It was the first motel that we had ever stayed at that had a swimming pool. My brothers and I were I heaven.


It was a deluge of rain when I drove through Ida Grove so I couldn’t stop. The town had a general motif sort of like castles. I’ll have to research more about Ida Grove, it was rather strange. I finally stopped for the night just into Minnesota in Worthington. I had a chance to stay at an old time motel but chickened out and went to the Holiday Inn Express instead. I couldn’t resist the lure of a swimming pool.

First I dropped by the local Wal-Mart to pick up some beer (which I found out later was 3.2 just like the old days of Kansas). Almost everyone in the store was Hispanic. Worthington is a big meat processing town.

A Summer Sojourn

This summer has seen glorious days, warm and full of expectation. Perfect days of sensuous sun, light winds and skin warming rains.

Traveling days. Across the country. Time beneath the water and over the reef. White sand between my toes.

Superior. Each day a new adventure. A delightful summer.

At home, Kansas City has been at its finest. A bountiful City Market. Luxuriant lawns to mow, bulging tomatoes to harvest. Wildflower fields all the colors of the rainbow. Yes, it has been an exceptional summer. I am happy I have had the opportunity to participate.

This week the new fall term has begun. If only autumn can be so kind.

Summer "Dog Days"

Summer is already winding down and dog days are upon us. It is Missouri hot and humid.

I pulled the boat out of the garage today to get it ready for a lake, any lake. I know it is late in the season, but you can’t accuse me of procrastinating. This is the first time the boat has seen daylight in two years. I spent the day checking, oiling and greasing. But I haven’t started it yet. That I will save for tomorrow.