After fueling up with one final breakfast taco and Thai visa in hand, I headed east on I-10 to savor Houston traffic one last time.
I'd been looking forward to another night in Lafayette ever since staying at the Blue Moon Saloon for a Cajun music jam, and this one did not disappoint. Folks come and go with guitars, fiddles, accordions, and Creole lyrics to serve up a night of Cajun music that makes you smile.
I met a Texan who makes it a point to regularly pass through there on Wednesdays. He's been to hole in the wall venues the world over and this remains his favorite. It's certainly high on my list. He once chatted with Brian May-the one from Queen-there at the Blue Moon, only to find out who he was the day after. And in the 80s he did just what I'm about to-quit it all in his 20s to go backpack Southeast Asia. He was so excited to relive his experience, we talked for hours.
I then headed north to the heart of Delta blues. I've heard all about "Mississippi blues juke joints," but I wanted to experience one for myself. There is no better place in the world for that than Clarksdale, MS. Shack Up Inn is no Hilton, but it's plenty comfortable and full of character. Situated in old sharecropper houses on a cotton plantation, just down the road from where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil so he could play the blues, you open the door to guitar licks that reminds you this is where it all began.
Blues round 2 was Red's Juke Joint, little more than a living room dedicated to keeping the blues alive.
From there it was on to Music City USA to see the Grand Ole Opry. It was entertaining to see the live radio show that "made country music famous" and get a good variety-12 acts in one night, you're bound to like something. For me, Striking Matches stole the show.
Not two hours from home, catastrophe struck when my car broke down and an inconvenience became bad became worse. The saving grace were some friends nearby who I could visit with (for much longer than expected). I don't recommend your car break down. But if it does, it should probably be near Brighton, MI. Top notch hospitality there!
After some great time with family and friends back home and in NYC, it's time to go. Thanks to everyone who got just as excited as I was for this trip; who shared their own travel stories; and who told me where else I just have to go see while on that side if the world.
Here's to adventure!
I'd been looking forward to another night in Lafayette ever since staying at the Blue Moon Saloon for a Cajun music jam, and this one did not disappoint. Folks come and go with guitars, fiddles, accordions, and Creole lyrics to serve up a night of Cajun music that makes you smile.
I met a Texan who makes it a point to regularly pass through there on Wednesdays. He's been to hole in the wall venues the world over and this remains his favorite. It's certainly high on my list. He once chatted with Brian May-the one from Queen-there at the Blue Moon, only to find out who he was the day after. And in the 80s he did just what I'm about to-quit it all in his 20s to go backpack Southeast Asia. He was so excited to relive his experience, we talked for hours.
I then headed north to the heart of Delta blues. I've heard all about "Mississippi blues juke joints," but I wanted to experience one for myself. There is no better place in the world for that than Clarksdale, MS. Shack Up Inn is no Hilton, but it's plenty comfortable and full of character. Situated in old sharecropper houses on a cotton plantation, just down the road from where Robert Johnson sold his soul to the devil so he could play the blues, you open the door to guitar licks that reminds you this is where it all began.
Blues round 2 was Red's Juke Joint, little more than a living room dedicated to keeping the blues alive.
From there it was on to Music City USA to see the Grand Ole Opry. It was entertaining to see the live radio show that "made country music famous" and get a good variety-12 acts in one night, you're bound to like something. For me, Striking Matches stole the show.
Not two hours from home, catastrophe struck when my car broke down and an inconvenience became bad became worse. The saving grace were some friends nearby who I could visit with (for much longer than expected). I don't recommend your car break down. But if it does, it should probably be near Brighton, MI. Top notch hospitality there!
After some great time with family and friends back home and in NYC, it's time to go. Thanks to everyone who got just as excited as I was for this trip; who shared their own travel stories; and who told me where else I just have to go see while on that side if the world.
Here's to adventure!