First stop: N'AWLINS & KENTUCKY

     A week and a half before we left for Paris, Andy met me in New Orleans where we indulged in good food, family, friends, and of course drinking.  Our adventures included a personalized swamp tour, exploring the French Quarter, a drive across Lake Pontchartrain to Covington, eating at The Gumbo Shop (jambalaya, andouille gumbo, crawfish etoufee), Nomma Mia (best pizza around!), Perino's Boiling Pot (fried alligator), breakfast at Cafe du Monde, Camellia Grill, a backyard crab boil at the Trosclair's, pint night at The Bulldog, and of course...endless visits to the drive through daiquiris!

***also forgot to mention the awesome show we saw at the CAC (Contemporary Art Center). Here is a link to the CAC site for Freak Parade by Thomas Woodruff (And his personal website Thomas Woodruff). Gorgeous, smart work. Large scale paintings- detail is incredible in person. If you are in New Orleans it is a must see.

     After five days in New Orleans we embarked on a two day road trip to Kentucky, with an over night stop in Nashville, TN (courtesy of Mr. Andy Fellows). After about 12 hours on the road we arrived in Louisville, KY where we ate a lot of home cooked deliciousness, went to the Kentucky state fair (with actual livestock: pigs, chickens, cows, horses, etc...), hung out with family, and ate at Oishii... hands down the best sushi we've both ever had.