Mississippi road trip

Sometimes you kick off the new year with a Mississippi road trip.

P.G.T. Beauregard

The now controversial statue of Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard in New Orleans. From my research he was an accomplished soldier and citizen, a well educated, multicultural Creole - maybe not such a divisive figure that his statue needs to be removed? In any case the man belonged to another time and the statue commemorates a piece of history.

socks

The last best pair of socks I ever saw.

strolling around Tulane

Newcomb Art Museum

playing cards

The last best deck of playing cards I ever purchased.

Zoe's Kitchen

The last best new restaurant chain I ever went to is Texas-based, Mediterranean-inspired Zoe's Kitchen. What struck me about the place is 1. healthy and delicious fast food is not only possible, but it's the trend and the future, and 2. clearly we are living in an era of somewhat better design than the previous generation of chain restaurants.

mirliton soup

The last, best and only mirliton soup I ever had.

Philadelphia from the train

The Philadelphia Museum of Art, as seen from the train.

the evolution of shopping carts

They must have had me in mind when they designed these shopping carts with cup holders.

Sea Cliff at its very best

bur oak

The bur oak, Quercus macrocarpa, produces the largest acorns in North America. It hybridizes with the white oak, Quercus alba, one of the pre-eminent hardwoods of North America.

Crate and Barrel

The Crate and Barrel store in Manhasset, NY. If I had to live in a store, this would probably be near the top of my list. Good beds, bathrooms and artwork.

Gerry Park

Above, the massive stone horse relocated from Harbor Hill, the former Clarence Mackay estate. Below, other views of Gerry Park in Roslyn, NY.

Thanksgiving 2015

And then north for Thanksgiving and some fall foliage.

Louisiana cemeteries

Covington, LA has a fine old cemetery with all the charms one expects from a Louisiana cemetery - tombstones toppled or askew,  crumbling masonry with ferns growing out of it, a symphony of green and gray.

City of New Orleans

The California Zephyr was a tough act to follow in terms of scenery. One of the scenic highlights of the City of New Orleans train that runs between Chicago and New Orleans is the menu above. Otherwise there are lots of scenes like the one the below. Another distinction: it is among the bumpiest rides Amtrak has to offer.

Chicago

The end point of the California Zephyr is Chicago Union Station (below). We had some five hours to pass until our next train, the City of New Orleans. Due to unusually mild weather we were able to explore the city and I must say that I had my most pleasant experience of Chicago to date. Previously when I had passed through the city it was either freezing cold or excessively bleak and overcast. This time we were able to stroll along the lakefront, stop for coffee and dinner, and enjoy looking at people and architecture. A welcome development indeed.

 

Denver Union Station

 

The surprise of this train ride was Denver Union Station, built in 1881 and recently renovated to become one of the best railroad stations in the country. Who knew that it was a destination, complete with hotel, restaurant, coffee shop, bookstore and Christmas lights? At some major train stops you can't even buy a newspaper. This one is up there with the best.

snow and ice continued

 

snow and ice

As we continued further into the Rocky Mountains, snow and ice gradually reappeared... until it was everywhere. The transition from desert to alpine scenery was very beautiful.

Grand River

What a grand river it is... The backbone of the Southwest.