Road Trip to Denver - Part Two

 Heading toward Texas we stopped at Avery Island for the Tabasco Pepper Sauce Factory Tour and some spicy samples of their seven varieties.  The peppers/sauces, created in 1868,  are aged for up three years in oak barrels before being bottled and shipped to markets around the world.

 

Drove along the coast to Corpus Christi, Texas taking in the beautiful beaches and scenery. Saw the USS Lexington docked on the shore and decided to take a tour the following day. I cannot imagine living aboard one of these massive ships.

 

Spent a couple of night in San Antonio, Texas. Loved the people watching (lots of crashing scooters), and walking along the River Walk. And, one could not visit here without visiting the Alamo, where Davy Crockett and James Bowie died in the thirteen day Battle of the Alamo in 1836.

 

The next stop after San Antonio was Waco, Texas to see what Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper have created. It is pretty amazing to see the number of tourists they have attracted. Bought a couple of souvenirs at the Magnolia Silos, stopped by Harp Design and called it a day.

 

The rains and weather being reported daily in the news had finally caught up, so it was time to make it back to Denver and hopefully dryer weather. As we crossed the border from Kansas into Colorado there was a snowy greeting. Seeing the losses and devastation so many are experiencing due to the rains and tornadoes, I have no complaints.

 

Every time I take a road trip I am reminded how much there is to do and see in our country - get out and experience it!

Road Trip to Denver - Part One

 

Decided to take another "Road Trip" back to Denver this year.

 

Headed North from Naples, taking the interstate most of the way through Florida since the planned stops were as we made our way west.

 

The first stop was unplanned at the rest area near Milton, Florida to see the  appropriately named "Blue Angel on a Stick". Then on to Laurel, Mississippi, where the HGTV shoe "Home Town" if filmed. Never caught sight of Ben & Erin Napier, but did enjoy the historic downtown area shown at the beginning of each show. Unlike so many small towns in America, Laurel is experiencing a revitalization. It is known as the "town that timber built", and has other industries that help keep this charming town alive.

 

Left Laurel headed to Natchez, the Jewel of the Mississippi River. On the highest ridge in Natchez in 1797, the first American flag was raised to claim this town and all former Spanish lands east of the Mississippi above the 31st parallel. There are many "Town Homes" still standing. Not enough time to see them all, so chose Rosalie, built around 1820 and containing most of its original 1850s furniture.

 

The following night was in Baton Rouge; the flags of seven nations have flown here.  It was raining, so left early to drive along the picturesque Great River Road through plantation country to New Orleans. Some are furnished, some not - but each has a story to tell.

 

Made it to New Orleans, home of Jazz and Mardi Gras. We were ahead of the weather again, so we took the Hop-On Bus City Tour. Had Beignets at Café Du Monde and a special meal at The Commanders Palace in the Garden District. My parents gave me a choice of three places to start college: Pittsburgh, New Orleans and Denver - so glad I picked Denver!