For the past 5 years, Jeff and I have started our new year on a road trip to a different city to attend a convention for his business. Each trip has been mostly worked related, but we do our best to have some fun along the way and while we have downtime. The first year brought us to Nashville, followed by a trip out west to Anaheim, and then a shorter trip to Indy. To kickoff 2019, we were headed down south to Dallas.
Though we both love flying, it always makes more sense for us to drive to these events, so we can carry along of the materials and inventory Jeff needs for the convention. Shipping directly to the convention is extremely expensive, so we’ve found a cost savings from packing his Jeep to the brim and setting off on the open road. Texas or bust.
As we’ve done in the past, since this convention takes place right around New Year’s, we decided to start our trek a little early and make some stops along the way. We spent a night in each city (except Dallas), and though our time was short, we took note of things to do when we could make it back for a longer stay. Our route brought us to Memphis, New Orleans, Houston, Dallas, and Austin. And if you know me, you know there were some state Capitol stops along the way. This trip allowed me to cross the state capitols of Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas off of my list! I had been to Austin before, but the last time I was there was before it was on my bucket list to see all of the state capitols, so I needed to make it official.
We arrived in Memphis, TN later in the evening. We crossed the bridge into the city, enjoying the soft glow of the city lights to the right, and the huge green pyramid from the Bass Pro Shop to the left. If you haven’t been to Memphis or seen this building, you really should, even if the great outdoors aren’t your thing. I had no idea it even existed so it was quite a surprise as we entered the city. The next morning started off with a torrential downpour in Memphis, so our plans to parade over to Beale Street and eat breakfast and explore the city a bit, was literally rained on.
On to the next one…
Our next destination was New Orleans, LA, but with a quick stop in the state Capitol of Mississippi before we made it that far south. Driving into Louisiana and New Orleans was an awesome experience. The rains had cleared so we had sunny views of the bayous and swamps, and a beautiful view of Lake Pontchartrain and Maurepas. This was both of our first times in New Orleans or Louisiana so seeing the nature and wildlife (we were on the lookout for crocs) was something I’ll never forget. The highway was basically built above a swamp with ghostlike trees emerging from the waters on each side. Now that’s something you just don’t see from the friendly skies.
We arrived in New Orleans with only a few hours left in 2018. Our hotel in Nola was awesome, only a few blocks away from the stadium where the New Orleans Saints play, it was perfectly situated in downtown. Our New Years Eve plans involved a pre fixe dining experience at Public Service Nola and seeing where the night would take us. With the Sugar Bowl happening on New Year’s Day, fans from neighboring Georgia and Texas flooded the city to celebrate the New Year and a hopeful victory for their team the next day.
And after a quick New Year’s Day brunch at Josephine Estelle in Nola, we were headed out west to Texas, with a quick stop in Baton Rouge along the way.
