More of Natchez Trace Images

Natchez Trace

Natchez Trace is a 440 mile long parkway between Nashville, TN and Natchez, MS. Many years ago native Americans and settlers walked along the Natchez Trail on foot. The trace is now is a national park.


Before beginning our drive we had breakfast at the Loveless Cafe located close to the start of the trace. The place was busy, the wait was long, but the biscuits were delicious.

the famous loveless biscuits

At the beginning of the drive we saw many wild turkeys in the grass along side the trace looking for warms.

Hog Heaven BBQ in Nashville

So I am a big of places that are off the beaten path. Hog Heaven BBQ is basically a shack with a glass covered counter at which one orders their delicious food.

the turkey sandwich

We ordered 2 sandwiches: turkey and pulled pork. Both were super delicious and definitely exceeded our expectations. The dressing sauce they use is out of this world.

Michael even knew the answer to a trivia question the girl working at the counter asked us. The questions was: who was the man who falls to his death along with Sherlock Holmes?

It's his archenemy Professor Moriarty.

Union Station Hotel

Recently I drove down from Knoxville to the Big Easy with a few stops on the way. Nashville was one of them. I stayed at this gorgeous Union Station Hotel. Before it was a hotel, the building served as a train station for Nashvillians.

Mr. Strickland is inspirational

I came across a short article about this man on the Wall Street Journal website. The article describes how this artist used his compassion to help transform lives of Pittsburgh youth by teaching them art related skills and values. He began this project after graduating from college in the seventies. Subsequently his organization grew and now has centers in Pittsburgh, San Francisco, Cincinnati, and Grand Rapids.

Mr. Stickland won the MacArthur Genius award for economic development in honor of all the good work he has done and continues to do. Wow!! You can check out the organization's website here.

Pregnant Sam Photoshoot

I had the privilege to hang out and photograph my friend, Sam. Her miracle baby is due in a few months (doctors told her that she could not get pregnant). In the meantime I can document her beautiful pregnancy.

I decided to take another crack at it

I have been inspired to compose a photo essay about the DREAM Act Students. I have been wanting to do this project for a while now but did not have the time nor an easy way of getting to the students without a car (I am still working on getting a driver's license). Now I have the time and I need to find the dream act students like Nancy in the video above here, in New Orleans and nearby areas. Wish me luck everyone.

Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes

My friend and I caught Johnny Sketch & The Dirty Notes at Tipitina's last Friday. The band's energy was incredible and they sounded very sharp. The venue characterized the band's music as Rock/Funk. I ended up dancing to many songs that night.

Some Like It Hot at Prytania

We caught the screening of Some Like It Hot by Billy Wilder at Prytania Theaters. It is my favorite movie of all times, and last weekend was my first time seeing it on the big screen. I probably was the happiest person in that theater.

More of New Orleans with Cecilia

TIPITINA's

We checked out Top Cats Band at Tipitinas. It's a very good cover band and we had a lot fun dancing to the tunes they were playing. I was especially impressed with their covers of the Beatles and Paul McCartney songs.

Natchez Steamboat

We took a 2 hour long boat ride down the Mississippi River. It began to pour as soon as we boarded and did not stop for an hour. It was a lot of fun to glide along the river that has great historical significance for this country. We saw a lot of industrial looking things. And the cityscape was breathtaking just like I expected.

Cecilia comes to New Orleans

Cecilia is a beautiful and elegant friend who came to visit me for a few days. One of her first days here we spent exploring the french quarter.


On Saturday, before the street car got us to Canal street (one street away from the quarter) we saw hundreds of men and women in red dresses all walking to the quarter. We found ourselves in the middle of the red dress "run." Its participants must pay an entrance fee and wear a red dresses. The money goes to several charitable organizations.



I say it was a "run" because we saw no one running. And when Cecilia and I were at Cafe Du Monde, three ladies in red sitting next to us said that they were still running. They were taking a coffee break.

That day I learned something new--I learned that a straight men can look good in a red dresses.


Our next destination was Saint Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square. What a beautiful building!



We then spent some time listening to some really talented young musicians who were playing right outside the cathedral.

Maxwell

Meet the wonderfully sweet kitten that lives under our house. His name is Maxwell. He is one of the best behaved kitties I ever met.

Satchmo Fest

This past Sunday, we ended up wandering into the French Quarter. After having some delicious beignets** at Cafe Du Monde, we went to see the last day of Satchmo Fest which took place in and around the Mint Building on the other end of the French Quarter.

The festival's purpose was to celebrate Louis Armstrong (even though I was told that the world's greatest trumpet player never had completely forgiven New Orleans for shunning him during his earlier years as a performer). Better late than never I suppose.

We checked out all three stages and the seminar room in the building. It was really good times. I especially enjoyed watching the Shamarr Allen and the Underground band perform. (pictured below).


Shamarr played the trumpet and sang exceptionally well. I especially enjoyed the band's interpretation of several of Michael Jackson's songs. They sounded really tight and Shamarr really knew how to get the crowd to go wild.

Afterward we walked three blocks over to Marigny Brasserie to watch Philip Melancon play. Phil (pictured below) is one of the most entertaining and uplifting performers I ever seen, and he is also one of Michael's good friends.


Per usual, we enjoyed watching Phil play, and the steak fries (battered in the local beer) we ordered were delicious.

**the beignets at Cafe Du Mond are delicious but it usually takes about a half hour before they are brought to your table. The wait is definitely worth it.