image source; southern royalty blog
How are you? As I mentioned in my last post, I was away for a few weeks. My Beau and I had this trip planned for a while and we were really looking forward to it. The last extended holiday we had was in 2012, almost 4 years ago. So, it was time for a nice break and a real holiday. Of course, we go on short road trips periodically which are really fun. However, a short road trip isn’t a holiday in the true sense of the word because, well, you’re back all too soon.
So, we packed up and were ready to go before bed Saturday night. Our flight left early Sunday morning, February 21st. We flew to L.A. then on to New Orleans, Louisiana. An exciting city for so many reasons. On our first night there, we stayed up late and you could say we had a really fun night. The next day we walked around the French Quarter taking in the history and beauty that makes this city unique. It started out great. It was a little cool and overcast. We stopped into a tiny jazz bar for a refreshment in the afternoon. It was all set up for the Jazz band that would play later that night. I so badly wanted to go back in the evening for the band and the general atmosphere but it would have to wait.
After we had lunch at a nondescript seafood restaurant (that served alligator) we headed out into the pouring rain. We decided to go back to the hotel for a rest but we were soaked two blocks in. If you’ve read any Ann Rice books then you know it doesn’t rain in New Orleans. It pours.
I don’t know if it was getting caught in the rain, or if someone was incubating a virus before we left but my Beau woke up the next day with a cough.
Me: “Are you getting a cold?”
Him: “No.” cough, cough, cough.
He tried to ignore it. So, we hopped on the Trolley and took a self guided tour of the cemetery. We got caught in a downpour again. Duh, I forgot the umbrella I bought the day before. Well, the sun was almost shining when we left the hotel.
Later that night he came down with a horrible cold/flu virus.
Me: “Do you want me to get you anything?”
Him: “No.”
Me: “Are you okay?”
Him: “No.”
Do all men answer in one syllable words when they’re sick?
I happened to get one sunny, cool day to explore before I got sick…and began answering in one syllable words.
Jackson Square, NO.
I ate lunch in this pretty courtyard off of Royal Street.
They really like their blue cheese and pecans in the South. They put that s**t on everything. This salad was a much needed light and fresh dish after all the Southern, deep fried food.
This drink was really tasty with a big kick. Not even sure what was in it but probably bourbon.
Meanwhile, back at the hotel. Our window didn’t even open so no fresh air was circulating. Of course, I got the same virus a day later. We stayed in bed and slept the whole next day and the day after. We finally ventured out for some fresh air and cold medicines. Only in New Orleans can you buy medicine at the pharmacy with a full band playing right outside the door. Just another reminder of the good time we were missing out on.
I never did make it back to that jazz bar.
On day 3 we had to check out and the plan was to rent a car and drive along the coast over to Florida and up to Georgia or South Carolina. At this point, we debated about booking a flight home and skipping the rest of the trip. We almost gave up. The only thing stopping us from flying home was the thought of spreading our germs all over. It would be irresponsible, I said
Luckily we continued on as that was when the real holiday began. Our health improved gradually, as I knew it would. We rented a car and drove out to the Plantations. We visited the Whitney Plantation, which is the first slave museum. I read about it in NY Times article and desperately wanted to go. That was a year ago. So, it was a long time coming. I was quite sick during the mostly outdoor tour. I didn’t take many pictures and now I regret it.
These sculptures were set throughout the church representing children of the slaves. It was an amazing property with memorials for each and every slave, including quotes from interviews of the children of the slaves engraved on each memorial. It left a lasting impression. I have to share the photo from the NY Times article as it does justice to these beautiful sculptures…The man on the right is John Cummings, owner and the left is Ibrahima Seck, Director of research.
image source; NY Times photographer Mark Peckmezian
We spent a few days on the beach in Pensacola. It was gorgeous. Not hot but mild and the Vitamin D really helped us get over our colds. We gradually weaned ourselves off the cold medicines.
Finally, a room with a balcony and some fresh air! I’m still sick though and you can tell by the pic. I wanted this to look like a post card so I added the paper filter.
We drove from Pensacola to Tallahassee in one afternoon. We got there in time to check in to a nice decent hotel and grab a bite to eat. Next day, we drove to Jacksonville (just south of) to visit a dear friend of mine. She moved there last year from Key West. We went to school together and she is one of my oldest friends. It was my first visit to Florida and to see her in her own habitat was really special (she always comes out here but rarely do we get a chance to visit her). Her home is gorgeous! Our night with her and her family was a highlight of the trip. It kind of looks like I have a space ship coming out of my head or maybe it’s my halo? Oh. No. It’s the kitchen light.
I’m sorry, Magic that you weren’t looking at the camera.
Next day we took a tour of St. Augustine, Florida which is the oldest city in the United States. So, we had a look see at the Fort built in 1500’s. The town was a bit touristy but certainly really cool to see. Later we said our goodbyes and drove onward to Georgia. Destination: Savannah.
What a gorgeous city Savannah is. We had two nights there and stayed at a B ‘n B in the heart of the Historic District. The azaleas were in bloom and the food was amazing. By this point we could taste food and enjoy meals.
The Azalea Inn at Savannah, Georgia. This is the B’N B we stayed at. It was really beautiful and was built in 1790’s.
This theater, in the historic district, I had to take a pic of and send to my son. Not only is it his namesake, but the films are two of his favorites!
So, guys, that was our trip. In a nutshell it was a drag and it was fun. The moral of this story? Expect the unexpected. Adapt. Be flexible. Stay positive. Cough, cough. Sniff, sniff. Things don’t always turn out as we imagine. Sometimes looking forward to something is better than the something.
Next week, I’ll be back to regular programming beginning with ’10 Things I Wish I Knew During My Divorce’
Tell me, have you ever been sick on holiday or just had one of those trips where best laid plans went awry?
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Monisha
March 20, 2016 at 2:13 pmWhat a fabulous vacation! I know it stinks to be sick on vacation, but the memories from this trip will be with you forever 🙂
lisa
March 20, 2016 at 4:03 pmHi Monisha, yes it did improve in the second week. Good memories in spite of the flu. 🙂
Akaahan Terungwa
March 16, 2016 at 12:04 pmHi Lisa,
It’s almost 10 years now since I last took a vacation or traveled because of one…now, after reading your adventure here, I’m beginning to think: ‘it’s about time’ 🙂
About your expereince, the best laid plans can turn to whatever they will be – so does life itself. To succeed and stay afloat, one needs to be an expert at adapting and to a large extent, not giving a damn (you missed this part 🙂 )
I love the way you write and it seems, I’ll certainly become a regular here.
Do enjoy the day!
Always,
Akaahan Terungwa
lisa
March 16, 2016 at 5:19 pmHello Akaahan, ha! Adapting by not giving a damn is ideal. Thanks for your visit!
Shantanu Sinha
March 16, 2016 at 3:32 amHello Lisa,
Great vacations for you out there. surely you deserved one after four long years.
Sorry to hear about you sniff, sniff and cold. But wow you guys didn’t fell apart and continue your journey.
Yours this journey, freshen up my own memories. Since it I too didn’t got chance to plan for a vacations
for almost 3 years. Hope this year would be perfect for setting up a journey to freshen up the work load.
The photos can explain that you had a life time memories on this vacation.
And yeas was the alligator tasty?..
Thanks for sharing your activities among us.
Shantanu sinha
lisa
March 16, 2016 at 5:16 pmHi Shantanu, I hope you get a chance to go on vacation this year. If you do, don’t get sick 🙂 The alligator was disgusting. Thanks for stopping over and saying hello!
Liv
March 14, 2016 at 5:57 pmHow lovely you were able to take a trip – but I totally get what a pain being sick can be (I’ve been in bed all day today). Thanks for sharing your lovely pics!!
lisa
March 14, 2016 at 10:32 pmHi Liv, yes it was certainly a much needed holiday, too bad we couldn’t enjoy it to the fullest 😛 Aw, I hope you’re feeling better real soon!
Irish Carter
March 12, 2016 at 5:11 pmHi Lisa,
Wow does it look like an amazing vacation. I’m so sorry you two battled the bug while you were traveling but yeah that you got better enough not to let it hold you back from the rest of the vacation. The pictures are absolutely beautiful Lisa. It brought back a lot of memories for me of our trips down south.
Thanks for sharing your time away. It was sweet.
Have a great rest of the weekend.
Irish
lisa
March 13, 2016 at 11:42 amHi Irish, thank you. I feel my pics aren’t that great, I mean I’m not a travel blogger by any means. So, thanks for the compliment 🙂 The south really is beautiful and the people are soooo hospitable! Thanks for stopping by, Irish. Great to see ya.
Charlotte Klein
March 12, 2016 at 3:07 pmOh, man… This post brings back lots of memories. It’s been AGES since I’ve been to New Orleans, Savannah, and St. Augustine (I hate to say this, but it was an ex ago, LOL) but I’d love to go back–ESPECIALLY to New Orleans; there’s such an infectious feeling in that city.
That said: IT TOTALLY SUCKS that you both got sick so early on in the trip. LOL, your bf sounds like mine–he is miserable when he’s sick and like you, I try and do my best to make good of a not-so-great situation. I’m glad you guys mustered the strength to continue the trip, because I’m sure I would have grappled with the same.
Expect the unexpected is the best advice ever. Because I find that the romanticized idea of a vacation in my head? Is hardly ever the reality 🙂 XOXO
lisa
March 13, 2016 at 11:40 amHi Charlotte, that trip was an ex ago? Oh, oh. Did you guys get sick and go on a road trip, navigate poorly then break up? 😀 Seriously, it was a beautiful trip once we were healthy. New Orleans was write off though, unfortunately. So true that what we picture for our holiday rarely is the actual experience. Yet, as we reflect on it we appreciate it more than when it’s happening. I guess it’s like we can laugh at things after the fact that maybe weren’t so funny while they were happening, ya know? xoxo
Charlotte Klein
March 14, 2016 at 6:37 amWe actually managed to have a really great time together. We were young and it was all still so fresh and new–it wasn’t until years later when I realized we were terrible travel companions.
I understand that totally–I think you tend to appreciate your trip more when you come home, which totally sucks but things happen and sometimes it’s hard for both parties to roll with the punches, ya know? In any event, travel is always important and I’m glad you guys went!
Happy Monday!!
lisa
March 14, 2016 at 10:43 amThat’s awesome, Charlotte. You have some good memories. Ya, traveling can throw some stuff at you and depending on your companion it may or may not go so well. My beau is very generous in every way. So, traveling with him is always great. He makes sure we do all the things I want. It’s very sweet. But being sick changed everything, LOL. Poor guy. Then poor me, too. Ha! At least we didn’t fly home while still sick and make the whole trip a waste.
Happy Monday to you, too!
My Inner Chick
March 12, 2016 at 7:10 amOOOO, sorry you were sick.
This has not happened to me, but I’m always afraid it will!
Great photos, darling.
Who is Magic? What a doll.
And you are, TOO> xxx Where is the guy? xxx
lisa
March 12, 2016 at 10:09 amI couldn’t believe it. I’ve only ever been sick once on holiday and I had it before I left. UGH. Magic is my friend’s German Shepard rescue dog. Her son has trained her beautifully in German, I might add! She was supposed to be in the pic with us. I think my friend has a pic of all 3 of us howling. ‘The guy’ doesn’t like his pic on the internet. Sometimes I’ll sneak one on just to see if he’s paying attention. 😛 Nice to see you, Kim! xoxo
Harleena Singh
March 11, 2016 at 8:54 pmHi Lisa,
Awesome indeed!! 🙂
SO glad you had a great time, and certainly deserved the break! Lovely pictures, and I was completely lost seeing them – almost like being present with you, right through! Yes, one needs to be flexible on such trips and just live the moment, as such times never come.
Thanks for sharing. Happy weekend, and take it easy 🙂
lisa
March 12, 2016 at 10:06 amHi harleena, I’m so glad you felt you were along for the trip! I’m certainly not a travel blogger (I don’t take enough pics). Once we were feeling better things improved immensely. It’s beautiful country in Southern USA! 🙂
Chrys Fey
March 11, 2016 at 1:11 pmI’m so jealous. I’ve never been on a road trip. I’d love to go all over, taking pictures, soaking in everything, and trying new food. I went to St. Augustine once when I was a kid but would love to go again.
lisa
March 11, 2016 at 1:52 pmI thought of you Chrys. How far away are you from St Augustine? Road trips are fun especially in unfamiliar places. I was the navigator plus we didn’t have any hotels booked. We flew by the seat of our pants—LOL
Jess @UsedYorkCity
March 10, 2016 at 6:54 pmBeing sick on a well planned out vacation is the worst!!!:-( But I’m SUCH a fan of NOLA, we went there this past summer (on our babymoon;-) and I ate everything in sight! And the jazz is just the best I’ve ever heard!! Would also love to go to Savannah someday! Beautiful photos, Lisa!
lisa
March 11, 2016 at 9:34 amHi Jess, that sounds like a wonderful trip (the way our was supposed to be sans baby 🙂 ) A Babymoon, there’s something I’ve never heard of but a great idea. I totally missed out on the jazzz and i’m kind of bummed about that. Savannah is gorgeous. You’ll love it.
Tamara
March 10, 2016 at 2:30 pmSoo.. did you eat the alligator??
My brother-in-law lives in New Orleans. I’ve only been there once and it was haunting and beautiful.
Savannah is amazing.
I love St. Augustine! I was there last month. I wonder if you ate anywhere I ate.. so much good stuff.
As for being sick, it hasn’t really happened to me but with four siblings and two kids now, I’m no stranger to people getting sick on vacation. It sucks!
lisa
March 10, 2016 at 3:03 pmHey…that’s why I got sick—LOL. Damn alligator. Actually I had one tiny bite and the thought of it still gives me shivers. It was really gross! Nothing worse than being sick or having a sick child (or spouse) on vacation. It did get better though 😛 We didn’t end up eating in St Augustine. We couldn’t seem to find the right spot.
Jane Thrive
March 10, 2016 at 10:15 amI’m so so so sorry you were sick, Lisa! Love the pics(although they turned up sideways when I was looking…?) and glad you were able to make the best of it!!! Hugs!!!
lisa
March 10, 2016 at 3:01 pmThank you, Jane. It was a super dooper drag! Thanks for the heads up on the pics. They were sideways on the mobile so I fixed it. I googled the problem and found my answer. Have to rotate before uploading. Hugs back at ya!
Michelle
March 10, 2016 at 9:48 amNOLA was absolutely incredible when I went with my siblings and mom last year! A huge bucket list place for me. And this year I get to take in more: NYC and Las Vegas!
On a super high note, I received my final divorce papers on International Women’s Day…very appropriate! My boyfriend and love of my life was away on a conference, but I got to cook for 5 of the best women I know. So a very happy celebration for me.
Hugs to you Lisa! You’ve been an incredible and amazing support through this wicked ride.
lisa
March 10, 2016 at 3:00 pmIsn’t it an awesome city? I’m disappointed we didn’t get to enjoy it the way we should have! Congrats on getting ‘er done! (The divorce that is :)) Nice way to celebrate with girlfriends!! Hugs back, Michelle. I’m delighted that I was able to help in any way at all! Cheers.