No Wonder College Costs a Fortune!

So our family recently returned from our Spring Break-a-thon tour of SEC colleges and it was quite something!  If only I could go back to college again for the Univesities today are almost like resorts unto themselves - I'm exaggerating, of course, but visiting college towns and campuses is definitely a fun trip.

We started, after a weekend in New Orleans, in the lovely town of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, home of Louisiana State University (LSU Tigers).  We enjoyed an thorough information session, where we learned any word that ends in the letter "o" is spelled "eaux" in Baton Rouge - as in Geaux Tigers!  They take their Cajun heritage seriously there.  We were told a story "or fable" (not sure of the veracity) about legendary Louisiana Governor Huey Long.  Back in the 1920s, Long knew LSU needed a new football stadium but there was no money for one.  So he petitioned the legislature for funds to build a new "dormitory" - wiht an open air center middle section for "crops" that was about 100 yards long' had rooms around the circumference and "classroom" seats in the stadium.   May be a bit of a tale, but it makes for a good 'ol Southern story!

Both of our boys were very impressed with LSU and Keegan was relieved to know that he got the physics requirement out of the way this year as they do require it for admission - yikes!

We took a luncheon break at the famous Chimes restaurant (campus location) at the recommendation of our Pastor Harry Barrow ( a HUGE LSU fan and alum).  We enjoyed incredible blackened shrimp remolaude, crab fingers and alligator. Then after lunch, we had the dorm tour and saw Mike the Tiger lounging in his multi-million dollar abode.

We left LSU very encouraged and were on to Oxford, Mississippi.  See you there next.

The Big Easy, Redux

Our College Road Trip started with a side venture to one of the world's great destinations, New Orleans.  We drove from Newnan and only had 24 hours in the Crescent City, but our family packed quite a bit of adventure into our short time there. 

After checking into one of our usual family-friendly hotels, the Hilton Garden Inn, we headed into the heart of the French Quarter for some meandering and food.  Normally, we scope out all the hot restaurants and old favorites including Susan Spicer, Emeri Lagasse and Galatoise.  We still miss our perennial favorite, the local hangout Uglesiche's.  It opened in 1924 and was destroyed in Katrina.  Their cookbooks are wonderful and work very well. This trip we were craving oysters and Cajun appetizers and we stopped first in a restaurant called Remoulade.  Owned by the same folks who created the venerable Arnaud's, Remoulade is just as delicious but more low key.

They could't even wait until I took the photo before snagging one of the oysters!

We enjoyed oysters, shrimp bisque, gumbo and turtle bisque at Remoulade and then we sauntered back out into the Quarter.  I took my requisite photo with the Big Ass Beers to Go guy

Still hungry, we stopped for barbecued oysters at Royal House Restaurant. Oh my gosh, These are crave-worthy and I think we will have an oyster roast at our farm soon because we can't wait until a return visit to New Orleans to enjoy them again!

We also had marinated crab fingers, po boys and red beans and rice.  Yum!

The next morning was Easter and we went to church at St. Louis Cathedral.  While we are not Catholic (we are Presbyterian) we have been to weddings in this incredible cathdral which is the longest continuously operating chuch in the US - since 1718.  We got there early and it was a good thing since it was SRO.

After church we shopped, bought some art and went to one of our favorite places for brunch,

Restaurant Stanley.  They have a sister restaurant, The Stella, that is also incredible. Restaurant Stanley is right next to St. Louis Cathedral and down the street from Cafe DuMonde.

Before we headed out of town, we attended one of New Orlean's ubiquitous parades - the Easter Parade!  It was a gas and the participants tossed all kinds of stuff from the floats including of course, beads.  We have now been to the Rose Parade and Easter Parade this year...we'll see what else is on tap the rest of the year.

We called this young man "The King of New Orleans" because he represented the cool, preppy sophistication of Southern Gentility that we know and love.  We met him earlier and he was great. 
On to Baton Rouge!