It isn’t but we hit town today probably around 8pm. This should be good.
So, I have hardly mentioned food on this trip. Mostly because we brought food and don’t stop for snacks or meals.
We did stop in Beatty, Arizona, mostly because there were billboards advertising “fresh jerky” about 100 miles in advance of Beatty. Sometimes you have to stop.
The jerky place had free samples. I think we each had ten or more samples. Bought a have pound of sweet and smoky as well as ghost pepper. Not hot or spicy at the time. We cruised the candy aisle. Nada. On to nuts, pound of butter toffee peanuts and pound of spicy. Yum. We ate the jerky right away in the car, leaving enough for breakfast. Next morning, we ate the balance of the jerky for breakfast. Hey, guess what was like fire the next day? Ya, the spicy jerky. We had to stop for cold water. Very painful. Not fun.
So, back to today. Woke in beautiful Wichita Falls. We feasted on eggs and sausage at the hotel. Not horrible. Into the car by 8am. And off. 650 miles to go. Usual drill, I drove 350, Marika slept, and the miles passed. East Texas is still very ugly. Though the closer to Louisiana we got, the greener and prettier the scenery. The towns still look decrepit. Don’t move here.
Nothing much exciting going on during our drive. At all. Probably a good thing. The scenery has changed, more continuous roadside business, not so many large gaps between towns as in Texas. Far more trees, larger trees.
Currently, we are 88 miles from our first destination. That would be Louis Armstrong International Airport. Drop the car there. Uber into the French Quarter and it’s cocktail time. I am looking forward to that.
For the record, we just came into Baton Rouge. I am thinking it was the rear entrance. Very industrial, and beyond urban renewal. Just bloody awful. Stopped for gas and could only imagine a scene from “Cops” played out here. The locals are very special looking. I am positive most did not finish the fifth grade. They have a look about them. The look says get in your car, lock the doors, and drive away. At least that’s what I saw. So I did.
It was nice to get to the airport and be done with the drive. Also, the quick fill up on gas was nice since Hertz charges $9.99 per gallon if u return rental short. And no gas nearby the airport. Actually very little around the airport, it’s somewhat off the beaten path and isolated. You could describe it as an oasis in the way it pops up out of nowhere as you drive to it. It’s a surprise as you get there. No signage, no warnings, saw no planes flying in or out. Weird. It’s a little like the gas station I just mentioned – old and in need of some rehab.
Using our navigation system directions, we drove fully around the airport beltway road to the rental drop off garage. Again, rundown is the only description I can give to this place. The surrounding area is rather nasty and rundown and void of most habitation. I suppose that’s good for an airport. No neighbors to complain. The drive to the rental garage was bleak and not inviting. Worn out. The roadway was the same. I am loving this. I think the best comparison is some of the 3rd world airports I have visited. Those look built and unmaintained with the occasional new building to surprise you. I am not impressed.
Finally, after 2500 miles we arrived at the rental car return garage. The structure is a three story open air parking garage. Really bad signage but we were finally able to find our destination on the top floor. Marika was driving and we did have issues inside the garage about where to park. Usually I expect parking attendants or help but none there. I parked near a Hertz sign and got out, looked around and an attendant showed up. He redirected our parking and we have arrived.
Managed to get the car unloaded. The Hertz guy directed us to where we could catch an Uber and we schlepped our load down the the stairs to the front curb and called Uber. Turns out Uber does not pick up here. Our driver, non English speaking, called. He kept telling us he was in the garage we just left. No. Uber not allowed there. I had walked back in and asked anyone I could find till I got a straight answer. Uber pick up was a mile away in another garage. I need an Uber to get to my Uber. No. We walked while the Uber waited. Driver called back and put an English speaker on the phone and she confirmed the driver was in another garage. Thanks.
We found the pickup point and our driver. Abdul spoke zero English. I think this is the root of the problem. He gets a two out of five. And his car smelled awful. Not sure why and don’t want to know.
Drive was pleasant enough, about twenty minutes long. Sun has gone down, it’s now after 9, so could not really see anything. Will have to get the full view tomorrow in the sunlight.
We arrived at the Madison Dupuy about 915 and checked in. Desk man spoke clear English and got it done quickly. Up to the room and dropped our crap. Decided to have dinner in the hotel dining room, they close at ten and we did not want to wander in the dark in a new city trying to find food. So hotel wins.
Downstairs to the Bistreaux. That’s how they pretentiously spell it. I thought bistro was French? No mind. I ordered a special Old fashioned, based on servers recommendation. I later learned she does not drink. It was ok. Marikas daiquiri was not very good. I’m not impressed. Service was very slow and came with lots of excuses on the side. Our dinner was fine, we were hungry and that helped. Second round of drinks had a slight improvement because we learned the server can’t be trusted. Also not a native English speaker. We finished up, tipped poorly, and went to the room.
I went to bed. It’s late. Marika went downstairs to make “private” phone calls to her friend Taylar and bf Sam. Would not want me to hear. I told her she could call from room because I would be asleep but kids will be kids. Her calls were about two hours long. I know this because her key would not work and I had to let her in. Kids.