28. Mississippi

Month: January 2017

Location: Jackson

I had been to Mississippi once before, to Hattiesburg several years ago.  But it was for one night with my buddies and we were on our way to New Orleans.  All I remember from that trip is a rundown airport at Gulfport and a lot of rural landscape.  This time I was going to the capital city of Jackson and some research showed that it was an interesting place.  Typically I would have come in on Saturday morning and left Sunday night, but there was no convenient way to get there before noon. So rather than waste half a day, I decided to fly in the previous evening and grudgingly pay for an extra night’s stay.  Aah well, compromises.

The deserted streets of Jackson

I was connecting through Atlanta and being a big airport, I had to cross across terminals to make my connection.  I did have enough time though for a quick dinner.  I dozed off on my next leg and arrived in Jackson after 11 pm.  The airport was ready to shut down for the night and I came outside to find a cab.  The gentleman driving me to downtown was a friendly sort and he told me how he had ended up in Jackson because of his wife.  When he learned that I was here for fun, he asked if I had been invited for a wedding.  When I said no, he recommended that I go to either Memphis or New Orleans, both of which are approximately 3 hours away.  I said that I would be fine, though he was skeptical.  As we entered downtown, I noticed that it was empty with nobody on the streets.  I asked if it was safe for me to be walking around at night and he said that calling a cab would be a better idea.  As I reached my hotel, I did see some revelers in the foyer.  At check-in the manager asked if I wanted a night cap in the bar, but it was quite late and so I went to my room, though it was an hour before I could unwind and fall asleep.

My first stop for food - 'The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen'

One of things I wanted to do in Jackson was go and see “live music” at night.  While on map the places appeared to be within walking distance, based on the empty streets that I had seen last night, I wanted to ensure that I knew where I was going.  So I decided to walk over to a couple of the places and back to the hotel.  As I navigated through the streets I realized that it wasn’t just the night time when these streets are empty.  There wasn't a single person in sight.  After going beneath a couple of dodgy looking underpasses, I located the places and returned, still unsure if I wanted to walk everywhere.  I called an ‘Uber’ to go to get brunch at a place called ‘The Manship Wood Fired Kitchen’.  My driver invited me to sit next to them in the front and we had a nice conversation about the downtown and especially the up and coming “Medical District” which was where the restaurant was located.  The place itself was very pretty and I grabbed a seat observing the locals…and charging my phone of course.  The food was quite good and I was now ready for the rest of the day.

The small 'Mississippi Museum of Natural Science'

I was headed to ‘Mississippi Museum of Natural Science’ and it was located it a public park, alongside the “Children’s Museum”.  My driver wasn’t sure where the place was and dropped me off in the park. I asked the attendant at the entrance and was told to follow a path through the grounds, at the end of which I would find my destination.  So I did and after going under trees and around some park benches, arrived at a gate which had the sign of my museum.  The building looked big enough, though as I entered inside there weren’t any other visitors.  I got a ticket from someone who looked like they were in Middle School and walked down the spiral staircase to the main gallery…the only gallery.  The museum was focused on Nature and had some aquatic specimens on display, but it really didn’t take me more than 30 minutes to walk through it.  They had some outdoor exhibits as a part of the park, but I was on my way back sooner than I had thought.

On to the "Museum of Agriculture"

I walked back to the entrance and asked the lady who had helped me to direct me towards another museum that was nearby – ‘Mississippi Agriculture & Forestry Museum’.  She told me to go outside and follow the road around the bend to the traffic light.  She must have thought that I was driving since walk was not quite on a paved path, but through some heavy grass that grows on the side of the highways.  Plus it had an embankment and knolls with wet dirt, making it an awkward walk, and must have amused the locals driving by who are perhaps not used to seeing someone out there.  I arrived at the light and crossed the multi lane road to get to the gates of the museum.  It was a big property with several buildings having different names such as “Ethnic Heritage Center”.  Most of them looked like log cabins and I did not have much hope for this being a worthwhile visit.  But as has been the case with several of my visits, I was wrong.

The main hall

I located the main building and the lady said that while this one hosted the main exhibits, I was welcome to walk around the big property, which had been set up as an “Early 20^th Century Town”.  It does seem like I have been encountering a few of these lately.  She also pointed out that not all buildings were open to public and a few were actually rentals for weddings etc.  I definitely have been encountering a lot of those for sure!  The main exhibit hall was as good as any of the museums that I have seen.  Story of agriculture in Mississippi was told through models, including full-sized farm equipment and a couple of “crop dusting” planes.  But the main highlight of the floor were several “model railroads”.  One of them was operational and I followed a train though the enormous model of the landscapes, farms and towns.  There were buttons at different points which would play noises of the area through which the train was passing, such as a farm house or even a haunted house!

The fantastic model railroad

As I was watching this model, an older gentleman wearing a “railway conductors” uniform approached me and started describing the model.  He mentioned that the entire scene captured the agriculture and forestry landscape of Mississippi and how goods are produced and moved from place to place.  He worked for the museum and I asked if he got to play with the trains.  He said no so much and pointed out all of the complex controllers inside the display.  It had been nice chatting with him and as I went along to see some of the other exhibits, I saw him talking with other visitors.  I walked through the rest of the museum and then went outside to explore the “town”.

The "General Store" from a century ago

First thing that grabbed my attention was the church, which was on one end of the dirt road, just like in a “Western" movie.  I saw a small house with a front porch and some chairs where people were sitting down and drinking “coca cola”.  I went inside and sure enough, it was a “General Store”, recreated from over a century ago, complete with the interior from that era.  I bought a bottle of water and then sat down on the porch looking over the main street of the town.  I visited some of the other buildings such as the church, the doctor’s office – all had rooms that one could look into but not go inside – as well as other places like the barn and also an iron works place where visitors were hammering on metals that had just come out of a furnace.

The main rotunda of the "Sports Museum"

Right next door to this was another museum called ‘Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum’; and there was a walking trail towards it.  As I walked on it, I saw a wedding preparation in progress – surprise surprise – in one of the buildings.  The "hall of fame" was specifically for the athletes who were either from Mississippi, or played for one of the in-state Universities.  Even though it was small, it was a well-designed place, with a central circular hall that had different sections around its perimeter.  It was lined sports like Football, Basketball, Olympics, Tennis etc. and that section honored the athletes from those sports.  Furthermore, it was decorated in the style of that sport, e.g. the Olympics section had a torch, the Tennis section had a net etc.  It was a very innovative way of doing that in one room and I liked going around and learning about these folks.  The top level was a balcony – like a sports arena – overlooking this central hall and I went and sat there charging my phone.  Then it was time for the evening to commence.

At the charming 'Library Lounge'

All my recent visits have had one thing in common – me seeking out the top cocktail places in that city.  I had set a schedule and the first visit was to a quint place called ‘Fairview Inn’ and their ‘Library Lounge’.  The ‘Uber’ driver who picked me up at the museum was in fact a sports reporter and so seemed please that I had decided to visit the museum.  He dropped me off at the Inn, which was in a residential neighborhood and was as elegant a place that I had seen.  There was a wedding photo session in progress and I made my way inside and found the lounge, which resembled a wood paneled library and was cozy as it gets.  I loved it on sight and sat at the bar soaking in the ambiance.  I noticed that the people around me were all dressed up and the lady behind the bar told me that it was because of the wedding.  I enjoyed the cocktail and my conversations with the staff, with whom I discussed cocktail lounges in Jackson as well as around the country.  A gentleman sat next to me and I learned that he was from Atlanta and was here because his fiancée was in the wedding party.  He was looking forward to getting up early the next day and departing for Atlanta in time for the “NFC Championship Game”.  We discussed football as I ordered another non-alcoholic cocktail, which was also very good.  I had enjoyed this place a lot and definitely a worthy addition to my list of favorite places.

And the "Apothecary"

Next, I was headed to a unique “speakeasy” place called ‘The Apothecary at Brent’s Drugs’, which was hidden behind an old fashioned “drug store soda shop”.  My ‘Uber’ driver praised that place to no end, including the neighborhood - “Fondren” - that it was in.  This was the place where all the youngsters hung out, because of its restaurants, bars and shopping options.  He dropped me off and the main store looked like a diner from the 50s.  In the back, beyond the bathrooms was the entrance to this bar which looked like a classic "speakeasy”.  I liked everything about that place, except the seats at the bar which were really uncomfortable.  But the cocktail I ordered was outstanding in its taste, despite the simplicity.  The place started filling up with locals and visitors alike and it certainly was a popular destination.  I ordered another cocktail and the mixologist gave me an extra serving.  The evening was getting better.

A night on the town

Across the street was a wine bar called ‘CAET’ and as I headed there, the neighborhood was coming alive and I could see what my driver had meant about this being popular with the young people of Jackson.  I got a seat at the bar and saw a cocktail on the menu called “This One Goes To Eleven”, referencing one of the funniest movies of all time, and I just had to order it.  After some time there I called an ‘Uber’ and got the same guy who had dropped me off. He was keen on knowing about my experiences and I told him that I loved the place, and if I was staying for another night, would definitely come back.  I was going to one of the premier restaurants in Jackson, called ‘Parlor Market’.  I arrived in time for my reservations and the food was really top notch.  The plan was to go to the music places which I had scoped out this morning, but halfway through the meal I knew that it wasn’t going to happen.  So at the very late hour of 9:30 pm, I was back in my hotel room, ready to call it night.  Yeah, a real party animal!

Coffee at 'Cups'

During my research I had found out that very few places were open on Sunday and those that were open, did so after noon.  So I was in no hurry and took my time in leaving the hotel.  One of the things I seek out when visiting a place is a good coffee shop, not necessarily for the coffee, but because it usually is the place to see the locals.  The place in Jackson was called ‘Cups’ and it was located in the “Fondren” neighborhood that I been to last evening.  The ’Uber’ lady who picked me up was extremely friendly and we chatted about the city and after dropping me, she even opened her trunk and gave me a few magazines to read.  One of them was on Mississippi, one on Jackson and the other one was specific to the neighborhood that I was in.  As I sipped my coffee, it was a great way to pass the time and also learn more about the place.

And brunch at 'Babalu'

After coffee I walked around the area, which in the morning was very different than the hustle and bustle of last night.  I went into a place called ‘Babalu Tapas & Tacos’ which was busy with the Sunday morning brunch crowd and for good reason since the food was outstanding.  Most of the businesses were closed but there was a local grocery store of some sorts that was open and I walked through it before calling for a ride.  Once again, I was picked up by a friendly gentleman who mentioned that he was retired and we talked about everything from Jackson to the up and coming medical facilities and he even urged me to move here if I was so inclined.  Throughout this visit, I had been invited by all the drivers to sit in the front seat, which was more conducive to conversations than being a back-seat rider in a cab.

The art museum

I was dropped off at ‘Mississippi Museum of Art’, one of the few places open on a Sunday.  I crossed the museum gardens – which were pretty – and entered the main building which like everything else in the city was empty.  The galleries were good though and I spent the next hour or so walking through them.  The skies were threatening when I left the museum, though I had one more thing that I wanted to do.  Like some of the other State Capital’s, Mississippi moved its “Capitol” to a new building and converted the old building to a museum.  It’s an impressive building at the end of...well, “Capitol Street” and I entered inside just as the first drops of rain started falling.  The building has 3 floors of 2 wings each and as far as museum’s go, it was outstanding.  The stories and the history was all around, and the one thing that they did well was recreating the rooms where all the legislators met over a century ago, giving the visitors a sense of what it must have been like to be in the room.

The magnificent 'Old Mississippi State Capitol' 

It was raining when I left and there was nothing to do but suck it up and walk in the rain back to my hotel.  But it wasn’t a torrential shower.  It was one of those rains which make a city look beautiful, like the first rainfall of spring.  I was soaked by the time I arrived in the hotel, but did not regret it for a minute.  I called a cab to the airport just as I received a message that my flight to Atlanta had been delayed.  As I arrived at the airport, I saw that there was an earlier flight and so inquired if I could get in. I could, but that flight was also delayed for over 2 hours during which we sat on the tarmac. I was glad nevertheless since my original flight was now getting pushed back even further.  As I waited, my beloved “New England Patriots” were playing the hated “Pittsburgh Steelers” in the “AFC Championship” game and a gentleman in full “Steelers” attire was sitting a few rows ahead of me and had the game on.  So for the rest of flight – we had finally left – I watched his reaction and landed to over 20 text messages from my buddy with the game updates.  I exited and saw that my flight to Chicago was delayed and so went to ask if I could get on an earlier flight and I could, though that one was delayed as well.  I finally left at 11 pm – after watching my team win and booking a flight to Connecticut for the “Superbowl”.  Despite the travel issues, this had been a memorable visit and I had liked Jackson a lot.  Not only is it a pretty place, the people are extremely friendly.  While I may not move there as suggested, I would definitely love to go back.

27. North Carolina

Month: December 2016

Location: Charlotte

I was supposed to be in Charlotte the previous weekend, but had pushed it back to due to another commitment.  I had however planned my weekend and populated my calendar, which was now looking like someone’s school schedule!  One of things I wanted to do was an “Escape Room” game.  It had been some time since my last one and so I searched for it online to see what was available.  Well, based on the results, it looked like Charlotte was the “escape capital” of the US since I found no less than 5 different options.  I selected the one which was closest to downtown because it promised that the staff “stayed in character”, whatever that meant.  Also, the room I choose was called “South End Psycho”, where the task was to escape the killer’s room before he returned.  Well, I hope they aren’t too much in character!

The incredibly pretty 'Amelie's'

I arrived in Charlotte after noon and took a cab to my hotel in downtown.  I dropped off my bags and left immediately to grab some food.  I was going to a place called ‘Amelie’s’, which was a few blocks away.  As soon as I entered the place it felt different and though I am no expert, suppose that this is what bistro’s in France look like.  The place inside had wide open spaces, without trying to fill up with as many tables and chairs.  I spotted a replica of the “Eiffel Tower” and there were different stations, including a “coffee bar” as well as one for pastries.  You placed your order and they give you a pager type device that you place on some sort of reader on your table so that the server can find you.  Very elaborate if you ask me.  I looked over in the pastry case where an entire section was dedicated to “Macarons”, though I spotted something that I knew I just had to order – my favorite dessert, “Crème Brule”.  I found a table overlooking their bakery, which was closed; else you could see all the goodies being made.  The food was excellent and before I left, I had to get something to go – their most famous creation, “Salted Carmel Brownie”.  Before I left the café I noticed that it was bigger than I thought, with a couple more rooms in the back.  If I lived here, this would certainly be one of my favorite destinations, though looking at the goodies; it may not have been a good idea.

At the 'Mint Museum'

A block away was my next stop, ‘Bechtler Museum of Modern Art’.  The place looked empty and I was asked to go up to the 4^th floor and then work my way down to the lobby.  The top floor had, by far, the largest gallery though one of the floors had an outdoor terrace with some sculptors.  It also had a nice view and so I went outside for a bit, but was done sooner with this museum than anticipated.  Right next door was ‘Mint Museum’, which housed more “classical” art pieces.  It was also significantly bigger, but just as empty.  I had a good time walking through the galleries and at the of it went over to the restaurant in the museum, called ‘Halcyon Flavors Of The Earth’.  As museum restaurants go, this one was more than a café and one of the more reputable places in the city.  I started the next phase of my day by ordering a cocktail, and it wouldn’t be the last of the evening.

My stop at 'Cellar At Duckworth'

I started walking towards the heart of the downtown and the evening was setting in. One of the joys is to discover some hidden gems and I came across an alley which had cobblestones and a dead end, but lined along either side were restaurants, bars and local shops.   I was looking for a place called “5 Church” for some cocktails, but they were closed for a private event.  With my record, I was sure it would be a wedding.  My travels have done for weddings what the “East India Company” did for the spice trade!  I had plenty on my list though and so I just went to my next place which was called ‘Cellar At Duckworth’, which true to its name, was a “speakeasy” in the basement of a restaurant called ‘Duckworth’.  I arrived just as they were about to open and that was good, since they were booked solid and usually get busy.  I got a place at the bar and despite a technically savvy menu on an ipad, I knew what I wanted – a “Smoked Whiskey Sour” cocktail.  It was great as advertised and as I enjoyed it, the place got full. 

Yep, that's all mine

This place was fantastic, but I was going to an even better place called ‘The Punch Room’, which was located in ‘The Ritz Carlton’.  I wandered all over the place before locating the hotel and the lobby looked great, having been decorated for the holidays.  I took the elevator to the lounge and was led inside a room that was as elegant as any place I have been to.  I sat at the bar and the mixologist was a nice guy to chat with.  I had been told that the thing to have here was something called “Top Of The Hill Punch”, but the dilemma was that it wasn’t served as a solitary drink, but as something to share in a punch bowl.  I told him that if he served me I would have it, not necessarily to finish it, but because I wanted to have the thing that they are most known for.  So I ordered it and a big bowl was placed in front of me along with a small tea cup and it would take a lot of those to get through the bowl.  I was enjoying the drink as well as the conversations and he told me about a “cocktail class” taking place in the city the next day.  A couple of ladies sat down at the bar and since I had plenty of punch to share, I offered them some of it.  Perhaps moved by my generosity, the mixologist gave me another drink on the house and then I ordered their second best drink for good measure.

The beautiful interior of 'McNinch House'

As can be imagined, it was a very different me who left the lounge and somehow I managed to walk to my dinner destination which was on a street that looked like it had some residential houses.  In fact, my place was a vintage house that had been converted to an elegant restaurant called ‘McNinch House’.  It had been voted Charlotte’s “most romantic restaurant” and I could see why.  It was a great setting and my table was in a cozy room next to a “Christmas Tree”.  Plus the food was quite good and this has been one of the best evenings during my travels.  I called an ‘Uber’ at the end and while I had mentioned to the mixologist in ‘Cellar At Duckworth’ that I would be back, it was definitely time for bed.

The '7th Street Public Market'

Next morning it was bright and sunny and I was headed to a place called ‘7^th Street Public Market’, which appeared to be similar to Chicago’s ‘French Market’.  As I walked towards it, I passed through one of the more extravagant “Bus Stations” that I have seen.  I took a wrong turn and normally would be annoyed, but I came across a building where some sort of activity was going on and I saw several “Servicemen” and “Servicewomen” as well as “civilian” families.  It seems like they were hosting some sort of “family day”, with some kids activities like “arts & crafts” etc.  As I entered the building the officers treated me like a celebrity, opening the doors with flourish and with welcoming smiles.  I did feel out of place though and left, but it did seem like a fun place for the kids.

The shoes of 'Dandelion Market'

After I had located the market, it was as I had expected, with different food places and even a small marketplace.  I had brunch plans elsewhere, but I did grab a coffee at a place called ‘Not Just Coffee’, which is one of popular local cafes.  I walked over to my brunch location, which was a place called ‘Dandelion Market’.  On the wall in the main dining area were displayed several shoes like it was a footwear store.  When I asked, I was told that the original establishment in Ireland with this name used to be a shoe store.

'The Schiele Museum of Natural History'

Post brunch I ordered an ‘Uber’ and I was going quite far…well by my usual standards anyways.  About 30 minutes outside of Charlotte, in the town of Gastonia was ‘The Schiele Museum of Natural History’.  Typically I wouldn’t go out there, but I had to find something to do this afternoon and I decided to combine it with other places outside of downtown, though I would need to drive everywhere.  In fact, my driver even mentioned that he had never been to this town before and asked me if I knew where we were going.  I didn’t and that was evident when the “GPS” instructed him to drop me off at a location that was behind the museum and it took me some time to walk all the way around the building and into the main entrance.

The outdoor setup for an "18th Century Christmas"

The museum itself wasn’t that big, but interesting nevertheless.  They had a healthy mix of “astronomy” and “nature” with a “pirate ship” thrown it.  They also had a “Planetarium” and I had bought tickets for a show and that gave me a chance to charge my phone as I waited.  The museum also extended outside on the grounds and there were several trails that took visitors to ponds and cabins and also a village where they had recreated a “18^th Century” setting.  For the 2^nd time in 2 months, I was visiting a period during the “Revolutionary War”.  Plus, this afternoon people had dressed-up from that period and were conducting a “Christmas” from that era, with various activities happening throughout the village, including singing.  I walked through the village as well as the property and then called my ride for the next destination.

'Billy Graham Library'

I was going to a place called ‘Billy Graham Library’ and knew nothing about it, other than the fact that I had been told that they had “carriage rides”.  The lady who picked me up started gushing about it and called it the best place in Charlotte.  She also said that she was contemplating joining me for the tour so that she could show me around.  I wasn’t too keen on that and made an excuse saying that I had a phone call to make as soon as I got out.  As we drove, I learned that it was her first day driving for ‘Uber’ and that she was only doing it because her husband had gone to prison for fraud.  Plus, she was trying to show me pictures of this street nearby which lights up the entire neighborhood for Christmas.  It was an interesting ride for sure and I was happy to reach our destination, which was unlike anything that I had ever seen.

'"Billy Graham House"

I saw the aforementioned rides taking place on the side and there was a long line for it.  However, the most impressive thing on the property was a huge barn with a cross for an opening.  While that was the main building, before we got there was a walk through the private residence with all the rooms and furniture left intact.  I learned that Billy Graham is one of nations most well-known “Evangelist” and is revered in these parts.  As I entered the barn, I saw a long line of people, the most that I have seen at any museum during my travels.  I went to the “Information Desk” and learned that if I followed the line, I would be taken through Billy Graham’s entire journey and his place in history.  It would also take me some time to get in.  However, I got lucky since there was a big group that was together and so I got to go ahead and with a short wait of 20 minutes, managed to join the guided tour.  Through several video’s, exhibits and stories, we were told a lot about Billy Graham the man, his family life, contributions to society and also about the foundations.  It was very well done and I found it to be educational without being too preachy and religious.

The market at the brewery

I called an ‘Uber’, hoping it wouldn’t be the same lady and thankfully it wasn’t, though it took some time for the driver to find me.  My next stop was at ‘The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery’, a German “brewhaus”, but I wasn’t going there for that.  They were having something called “Weihnachtsmarkt Christmas Market” in their “biergarten” with local artisans and other fun activities.  As expected, it was crowded when I arrived and people were outside in the market despite a slight chill.  Apparently this place is popular with dogs as I saw a lot of them.  I walked through the market and while there was a big line for beer and pretzels, I stuck to some nice warm “hot chocolate”.  As usual, my phone was dying and I went inside the grand hall – that was bursting at the seams – and spend some time charging my phone.  Then I called a ride to go for my “escape room” game.

The creepy entrance to the "escape room"

As with other “escape rooms”, this one was located in a remote location outside downtown in what looked like an “industrial park”.  I wasn’t sure that I had been dropped off at the right location and after a bit of searching, found that my game – called “Blackout” - was on the 2^nd floor of one of the buildings.  As soon as I entered, I learned what they meant by “being in character” as the lady greeted me as an “agent” and everyone there was dressed in character as well.  As I waited for the rest of my team to arrive – charging my phone of course – the theme song was playing on a loop near me and I’ll be darned if it wasn’t catchy, even after the 20^th time.  My teammates arrived soon and they were 2 middle-aged couples who were extremely friendly and were here to have fun.  When they learned that I had experience with these kinds of games, I was nominated as the leader and we were ready to go in.

My team

The staff members took us inside a room and briefed us on our “mission”, which was to infiltrate a killers apartment, look for clues regarding the crimes that he had committed, and get out before he came back in an hour.  We were given a “walkie talkie radio” for communication and I was entrusted with it.  Then we were blindfolded and led to a room where we were told there could be “ghosts” of his victims.  Sure enough, we could feel someone touching our legs and I could see how that may make people uncomfortable.  Once we were allowed to see, we saw that it was a room befitting a psychopath, with dismembered puppets and some other scary items.  We spotted something like cupcakes in one corner and it said “Happy Anniversary” to one of the couples, which I thought was a nice touch.  We got to work and I was kept busy on the radio with clues and hints, including one where they urged us frantically to find a hiding place since the killer was on his way.  We hid behind a mattress, while a man came in with some weapon and tried searching for us before leaving.  At one stage a girl emerged from a trunk and said that she was one of his prisoners and helped us with our clues.  The main intention here was to ensure that the guests had a terrific time and so with lots of hints, we escaped with seconds to spare.  Of all the rooms that I have played in, this was the best in terms of the storyline and execution, as well as the experience.

At 'Heirloom'

After pictures I bid my teammates goodbye and called yet another ‘Uber’ to my dinner destination, which was a few miles away, a restaurant called, ‘Heirloom’. It was one of those “farm-to-table” concepts and advertised as having “fresh ingredients” etc., as if that is a unique concept.  I liked the interior, though I was seated near a window and even though it was closed, the insulation wasn’t quite up to standard and a cold draft was seeping in.  However, the food was good and I was glad to have come here.  I called my ride and came back to my hotel in a much better state than last night.  One of the top cocktail lounges in Charlotte – ‘Fahrenheit’ – was actually located on the rooftop of my hotel.  I decided to stop there and the elevator was full of people with the same idea.  The place was packed and rocking, with music and “fire pits” and cocktails.  There was no way that I was going to get a seat at the bar and I did not want to stand in a crowd.  So I retired back to my room, though any other time I would have loved to have stayed.

The impressive 'NASCAR Hall of Fame'

North Carolina has a fascination for “NASCAR” racing and Charlotte is home to its “Hall of Fame”.  It was a couple of blocks away from my hotel and so I walked over there this Sunday morning and arrived just as they were opening.  I grew up loving “Formula 1” racing and have even been to several races back when they had them in Indianapolis.  But I have never seen a single “NASCAR” race, so this would be a learning experience for me.  It is an impressive building from outside and equally so on the inside.  Along with my ticket I was given a plastic card, which I could personalize by activating at one of the kiosks.  But first, there was an introductory film in a theater with a huge wraparound screen where we were shown the history of the sport and introduced to some of its big superstars.  They said that they even show live races on it and that would be spectacular.

On the track!

I activated my card and what that enabled was an interactive experience throughout the museum, where I could visit various stations and do activities and earn points.  Plus, I had my own "virtual host" who would be guiding me throughout the tour.  The main gallery was fantastic with a replica of an oval track on which were placed all the cars and the coolest thing was the “banking” of the track.  As you went up the ramp, you got a sense of how steep the curves are around an oval track.  The 2^nd floor got into the technicalities of a racing car with activities where users were encouraged to “set-up a car” and it was registered on your card.  It was a very well designed museum and a very good place for kids and adults alike.  I went through the 4 floors and left, skipping several activities, which I’m sure disappointed my virtual host.  I also did not participate in a virtual race where participants climb into full-sized stationary cars on a track and the entire thing plays like a video game.

"Genghis Khan exhibit"

After a quick lunch at a place called ‘Midwood Smokehouse’, I came back to downtown for something that has become a tradition – going to a “Science Museum”; in this case ‘Discovery Place’.  Besides usual activities for kids, they also had a room that resembled a “tropical forest” as well as some aquariums.  However, the most impressive thing was an exhibit on Genghis Khan, with historical stories and settings.  I stayed there for some time, before going to my final museum on this visit – ‘Levine Museum of the New South’.  This is a museum that explores the history of the “South” – primarily Charlotte area - since the “Civil War”.  It was very well set up with the exhibits, as well as replicas of shops and businesses from that era through which visitors could gain insights.  It was a good way to end my visit. 

Final stop at 'Levine Museum of the New South'

Before heading back to the hotel to pick up my luggage, I went back to ‘Not Just Coffee’ inside the ‘7^th Street Public Market’ and since I had some time, sat at the counter while watching the football games on TV.  I walked back to the hotel and called a ride to the airport, chatting with the driver who was an immigrant from Africa.  It had been a terrific visit and I had done a lot.  My first evening had been a lot of fun, as was yesterday’s visit to the “escape room”.  Not a bad start to the 2^nd half of my travels.

51 in 51: Midpoint Review

It has been 26 months since I started and I have so far visited 25 States plus Washington DC.  So, it is time for a “Midpoint review” and since everyone likes lists, I thought that would be the best way to do this.  While there will be categories where I discuss specific items, let us begin with a countdown.

Best Visit

Now this is not meant to rank places in terms of their appeal, but rather my overall experience when I was there.  And just because something shows up lower in the list doesn’t mean I had a bad experience.  It was still one of the best visits that I have had, just marginally below the others.

26. OHIO – Mayfield Heights (January, 2015): I was visiting my dearest friends and so it definitely counts as a great visit.  It’s just that I did not get to do some of the typical things that I get to do on my other trips.

25. CONNECTICUT – South Windsor (November, 2014): This was another visit to see friends, but what made this one special was a “Halloween Party”, my very first one.

24. CALIFORNIA – San Jose & Napa (December, 2014): At the risk of bottom of this list having a theme, once again, I was visiting friends over Christmas.  While most of my time in San Jose was spent indoors, I did manage to get away for a couple of days and visit Napa.

23. NEVADA – Las Vegas (October, 2015): I took this trip with friends and it turned out to be a typical Vegas weekend where time is as irrelevant as the sun outside.

22. DELAWARE – Dover & Wilmington (November, 2016): The latest of my visits was one that was a pleasant surprise since I came to Delaware with very little expectations and left feeling that I needed more time.

21. LOUISIANA – New Orleans & Gonzales (April, 2015): I combined a visit to New Orleans with a work trip to Gonzales Louisiana and there isn’t much to report from the latter. I did manage to cram in a lot in the 24 hours that I was there in New Orleans, including a “5-in-1 Ghost & Mystery Tour” and having my palm read in an actual “Voodoo Shop”.

20. MISSOURI – Saint Louis (March, 2015): My lasting memory from Saint Louis will be of the majestic “Arch”.  It was one of my earlier visits, but a memorable one.

19. GEORGIA – Atlanta (November, 2015): I managed to do a lot during the 2 days that I was in Atlanta, including going to a ‘NFL’ game.

18. INDIANA – Indianapolis (February, 2016): Another action packed weekend, but one which was made special by the “Museum By Moonlight” event as well as a drive around the hallowed ‘Indianapolis Speedway’.

17. MASSACHUSETTS – Boston & Salem (September, 2016): Although I had been to Boston many times, this visit was as if for the first time.  Plus, Salem is as charming a town as I have seen during these travels.

16. TENNESSEE – Nashville (February, 2015): I arrived in Nashville a few days after a crippling “ice storm” that left the sidewalks and many parts of the city frozen; so much so that it was difficult to walk.  So it says a lot about the place when despite that and a thunderstorm, this was one of my favorite visits.

15. ILLINOIS – Springfield (August, 2016): I am glad that I picked another destination in Illinois besides Chicago, since it brought me here.  Not only did I learn a lot more about Lincoln, but also experience the unique American tradition that is the “State Fair”.

14. MINNESOTA – Minneapolis (June, 2015): I was surprised by how much I enjoyed visiting Minneapolis.  It’s not everywhere that you get to visit a museum which looks like ruins of a castle and is dedicated to flour.

13. MARYLAND – Baltimore (May, 2016): There is something special about a city with a harbor and none better than Baltimore.  I had 2 wonderful evenings around there and also got to go to a “comic book” museum.

12. NEBRASKA – Omaha (October, 2016): Another one of those places where I wish I had more time.  A wonderful riverfront walk and some of the best restaurants and bars make me want to visit again.

11. KENTUCKY – Louisville (April, 2016): The land of Bourbon and beautiful one at that.  Well, had plenty of that, as well as some good food.

10. PENNSYLVANIA – Pittsburgh (October, 2014): This was my home before Chicago and my first stop on the journey.  I loved my year's there and try to recreate that magic every time I go back.  One of the best riverfront walks in the nation.

9. TEXAS – Austin (December, 2015): Austin is an oasis in Texas and one of my favorite cities.  Everything about the place, the culture, the food and the people makes this a destination that everyone should want to visit.  And they should seek out the ‘Garage Bar’.

8. RHODE ISLAND – Newport (September, 2015): A charming New England town with some of the most opulent mansions that I have seen.  Plus it has the incredible “Cliff Walk”.

7. MONTANA – Whitefish & Glacier National Park (July, 2015): By far one of most beautiful places that I have visited.  The walk towards “Hidden Lake” is one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life.

6. FLORIDA – Orlando (January, 2016): It took me a long time, but I finally made it to ‘Disneyworld’.  And it truly was a life affirming experience.

5. OREGON – Portland (July, 2016): This is one of the most laid-back places that I have visited and I loved every minute of it.  It’s a beautiful city with incredible food and some majestic views of the neighboring mountains.

4. DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA – Washington DC (March, 2016): I have always loved visiting our Capital and this time was no different.  If anything, it was more special because I fulfilled something that I had dreamt of doing as a kid – visit the "National Cherry Blossom Festival”.

3. WASHINGTON – Seattle (August, 2015): If there is a place that I could see myself moving to, it is Seattle.  I had wanted to visit for a long time and now that I had, I knew that this was one of my favorite cities.

2. NORTH DAKOTA – Fargo (June, 2016): Yes, you read this right.  My 2^nd most memorable travel experience was in a one-street town.  But what a street!

1. NEW YORK – New York (May, 2015): I am sorry if people find this disappointing.  Of all the exotic places that I have been to, I pick New York City as my favorite.  Such a cliché!  Well, sometimes a cliché is called so because it just that good.  I have been to NYC more times than I remember and it never disappoints.  The places, the streets, the parks, even the grocery stores and their shelves are familiar to me.  Not only was this my favorite visit during these travels, it always will be a place that I look forward to.

Now for some of the other “awards”:

Best Food Place – Portland, Oregon: Most of the places that I stopped by for food had long lines.  And it was for good reason.  Everything from “street food” to “fine dining” was excellent.

Outstanding food at 'Minibar' in DC

Best Restaurant or Single Food Experience – ‘Minibar’ in Washington DC, District of Columbia: This was one of the more unique experiences where the diners were moved from room to room for different courses.  Plus I made some friends for the evening, which made it a memorable occasion.

Best Food Dish – “Gnocchi” at ‘Bardot Brasserie’ in Las Vegas, Nevada: In a place known for its endless buffets, a vegetarian dish in a classic “French Restaurant" blew my socks off.

Best Dessert – Homemade “Chocolate Molten Lava Cake” at Mayfield Heights, Ohio: My friend is a terrific chef and a baker and this was as good, if not better than anything that I could have ordered at a restaurant.

Best Coffee – “Vanilla Bean Latte” at ‘Prestogeorges’ in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: One of my favorite routines in Pittsburgh was visiting this coffee shop on Saturday mornings for their "latte".  What makes it special is a homemade vanilla powder that they mix with the drink and then serve it at a perfect temperature.

Best “Drinking” Place – Louisville, Kentucky: This should not be a surprise, after all the place is known for Bourbon.  But as I did the “Urban Bourbon Trail”, I found out that having access to all these distilleries has resulted in some terrific bars and skilled mixologists.

Best Bar – ‘Wicked Rabbit’ – Omaha, Nebraska: A bar whose access is like some “spy movie”, not only has a terrific ambiance, but also some fantastic drinks served by friendly people.

'Wicked Rabbit' in Omaha

Best Single Drink – “Indian Paintbrush” at ‘Garage Bar’ in Austin, Texas: It’s located inside a public garage that hosts a “speakeasy” type bar in the back.  This drink was voted one of the best cocktails in Austin and in my opinion, is up there with any cocktail that I have had elsewhere.

Best Hotel – ‘Dover Garden Suites’ in Dover, Delaware: What I got for the amount I paid, makes this the best bargain.  Even without that it’s the best place that I’ve stayed at.

Most Unique Business – ‘The Fairy Store’ in Boston, Massachusetts: I almost passed by, but this place pulled me back it.  A wonderfully whimsical store with an owner who believes in magic.

Friendliest Place – Springfield, Illinois: Every place that I visited in this town and every person that I met was extremely friendly and welcoming.  Lincoln would have beem proud.

The path towards "Hidden Lake" in 'Glacier National Park'

Most Beautiful Place – “Hidden Lake Trail” at Glacier National Park: This is one of the most breathtaking places in the US and “Hidden Lake” is perhaps its crown jewel.

Best City – Seattle, Washington: There's a “vibe” to Seattle that makes it a fantastic city.  It was everything that I had thought it would be, and more.

Best Single Evening – Fargo, North Dakota: I sat in my hotel room wondering what I was going to do that evening.  And then I started walking down the main street, stopping to see the architecture, visit local shops, explore side streets and of course, eat and drink.  Before the evening was through, I knew that few would match this experience.

Best Single Experience – ‘Disneyworld’ in Orlando, Florida: It has been called the “Happiest place on Earth”.  And yes, it absolutely is. 

And there we are - halfway through the journey.  Based on everything that I have seen and experienced so far, I cannot wait for the rest.  Someone recently said that once this is over, I may the only person in the world who has successfully attempted this.  I don’t know about that, but I doubt if anyone else has had as much fun as me.