I am on my way ...

On the road again.

Raus aus N‘awlins und rein in die wunderbaren Weiten der Südstaaten der USA. Für uns war von Beginn an klar, dass wir so viel wie möglich auf kleineren Straßen fahren und den Highway so oft es geht meiden werden. Die Landschaft der USA ist einfach zu schön, um daran vorbei „zu rauschen“.

Vom Flughafen in New Orleans ging’s Richtung Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, LA.

Hier einige Eindrücke davon:

On the road again:

if you do not know where you are, look for the tank ...

Spanish moss ...

... I love it.

In Natchez haben wir das erste Mal couchgesurft. Ich hatte das ja schon einige Male während meiner Weltreise (in den USA & Australien) gemacht. Claire hat uns bei sich aufgenommen. Wir haben ihren Freund Drew und Annie (ihre Hündin) kennen gelernt; waren aber leider nur einen Tag bei ihr und fuhren am nächsten Tag nach einem sehr leckeren Frühstück, wo uns der Weg von zwei älteren Herren gezeigt wurde (lovely one’s) Richtung Nordosten weiter.

Annie

beautiful porch,

beautiful hood,

beautiful everything.

Thank you for your great advice, Claire.

Mississippi

I love flags, especially this one.

Der alte Wirtschaftweg von Nashville an den Mississippi; vom Mississippi konnten viele Güter in andere Städte der USA und andere Länder verschifft werden. Wunderschöne Natur, kleine Stopps und am Ende des Tages die Suche nach einem Motel, führten uns nach Rolling Fork. Wir waren nicht alleine im Motel, sondern hatten Gesellschaft von Bauarbeitern, die vor unserem Zimmer ein Barbecue machten. ;-)

Swamps

... nice ...

how appropriate ... Rolling Fork Motel in Rolling Fork, MS.

Am nächsten Morgen zusammen packen, noch schnell ein Foto vom Pick-up vor der Haustür und nichts wie los auf die Suche nach einem guten und stärkenden Frühstück. Rolling Fork up North ...

Sorry, somehow I have the feeling, that I must write this in English ...

SALE!

It has been a beautiful day. The sky was bluer than blue and the grass greener as ever … in the end we stopped in Greenville, MS. After walking around a bit and looking around and finding a “Main Street” as in every town and some flags (US and Rednecks Mississippi) and a nice pic of “As I Lay Dying” (remembering Filmfest München 2013) we found a Café – Joe’s Café. Joe was there himself and had a chat with his elder guests – just nice to see, how people are laid back and still having nice conversations and appreciate each other.

After our delicious American breakfast we went over to the river. In the beginning we thought, that we were sittin’ next to the Mississippi until a very nice and young guy (the one who is fishing) asked us, what we were doin’ at this lake. (??)

As you can see in the background of that picture (me with the lake ;-)) there are just two guys on a boat coming back from their ride. These two guys recognized us two girls and asked: ”Hav’ y’all ever bean on ai raid on the Mässässäppi?” and we said “No.”

So the guys filled up the boat with gas and came back to pick us up.

Be careful: Sometimes it is tricky on the Mississippi, due to sand banks, we got stranded three times, or so ...

with Shorty

with Chuck

Chuck and Shorty, thank you soooo much.

It was aaaawesooome! And we have been in Arkansas as well. ;-)

”Hav’ y’all ever bean on ai raid on the Mässässäppi?” ... now we can answer with a “YES.”

Memphis, TN

Once in a while I do have to put something on my blog. And after my three weeks in the South of the USA I do have a few stories to tell and impressions to share ... hope you like some of those.

A sip of Champagne

and here we go to the South(east) - Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Tennesse, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia & Alabama (we skipped Florida):

Many people would call the South "Dixie Land", but that expression is not common, what I have heard. I guess it is pretty similar to "oh, you are from the country of Sound of Music ...". Locals just do not use this expression that much.

First stop:

N'awlins ... New Orleans ... not the capital of Louisiana, but an awesome place to stay.

Most recognised quote / sign ...

... and also very common for New Orleans:

Straight and unmistakable ... I like!

Live music on every corner ...

... also next to the church. ;-)

this is a church, looks more like out of Disneyland ...

I have never heard that many bands and artists playing on or next to the street.
New Orleans is a vibrant city ... I love that. :-)

Daiquiri break

There is magic in the air ...

... and a little of Mardi Gras feeling all year round.

shrimp remoulade :-)

we could not figure out if this is a donkey or a horse or ... both. (?)
maybe a mule (?)

I took a few minutes and watched this very talented guy, while he was painting, incredible ... it just looks so easy ... I could not do it. He allowed me to take some pictures ... that is one of them: