The Low Country

With the trip coming closer to an end; the driving distances getting longer, the funds depleating and the meals much less decadent, we realized that the South East would be traveled through quickly. So after driving from Dallas to New Orleans for two-days, we were delighted to be welcomed back with the famous and super simple Cafe DuMonde beignets! That is until the bill came and those pieces of fried dough ended up costing $10! Sheesh.

But after eating fried dough doused in powdered sugar, we had lots of energy to walk around the streets of NOLA. Being there on a Sunday was a blessing and a curse. We pretty much drove there for the famous muffuletta sandwich from Central Grocery (which we missed last time) and apparently it's closed on Sundays. However, the Saints were playing, which brought about lots of excitement. 

Strolling down the French Quarter we came across a recently opened joint called Saints and Sinners, where I had one of the best burgers of the trip and the perfect accompaniment to those pitchers of game-time Miller Lites. The chef was so amazing and made me a custom burger, which was cooked to a prefect medium-rare. We also got to sample what the low country is known best for--gumbo!!! And what better place to have the perfect cup of gumbo than in a cozy little spot in New Orleans.

We continued on the next day, but not before stopping by a sketchy gas station/casino on the bayu where we had a crawfish sausage sandwich. I know, gross right? Perhaps asking to get food poisoning? No way! It was so delicious!!! And The great eats kept on comin' as we rolled through Alabama and straight to Wintzell's Oyster House in Mobile. OMG (Oh My Gumbo)! The food was spectacular. The grilled oysters drenched in garlic butter melted in your mouth and the spicy flavorful gumbo was magic.

As we continued our southeastern route, we stopped by the Gulf Shores National Seashore in Pensacola, FL to check out the beach--and to say we have dipped a toe in every body of water bordering the US! There I also had my first encounter with an armadillo. Yes, an armadillo in Florida!

Later that night the oysters fest continued at an oyster happy hour in Mirmar Beach, FL--I mean a dozen oysters for $8 and $1 beers?! And did I mention they were delicious meaty gulf oysters! The next day we kept on trekking towards Jacksonville, but more specifically Timicuan National preserve where we enjoyed the Florida marshes and finally got a chance to relax at the beach. Well not exactly. While we did finally make it to the beach, so did the cold front. Thus we fought the winds, hiding in our tent. But hey, at least we made it back to the Atlantic Ocean! 

The next morning we continued north along the shore of the Atlantic--which is definitely not as scenic as the Pacific Coast Highway. As we made our way through Georgia, we had one thing on our minds, and that was good ol' southern BBQ. And slightly off the beaten path, in what appeared to be a convenience mart, we found the best of the best (at least in that neck of the woods)! The meal was complete with a pulled pork sandwich, a brisket sandwich, Brunswick stew and baked beans, smothered in their top-secret BBQ sauce!

We continued cruising north towards Savannah, Georgia, where we took a break just long enough to hear the talented Walter give a street performance, try some boiled shrimp and take a walk down the main drag along the water. Savannah is definitely a place to come back to on a warm weekend in the summertime, but on this trip we just had to keep trekking along.

That night we arrived at my favorite gal's house in Charleston, South Carolina. After too much wine and lots of catching up, we finally got the long deserved sleep, in a bed, indoors, that we were longing for! The next day, being beyond well rested, we saw the beautiful city of Charleston the way it was meant to be--by bike. We even got to see the famous theatre where the movie The Notebook was filmed!

And of course, knowing the most popular girl in town had its perks besides a bed and bikes, she also knew the best local spots to eat! We went to the most wonderful waterfront oyster house, where we enjoyed "steamed" oysters and a magical sunset.

While in Charleston I got to catch up with my favorite people! Our hostess with the mostess can't be thanked enough for the amazing welcome back we received to the East Coast.

As the journey is quickly coming to an end, with just a few hundred miles left, what can possibly be next? Why family fun in North Carolina and Maryland!