The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life

Williams morris

Not much to say about the “crescent “ train into New Orleans, except nice trip, although disappointed we slept through the appalachians. Arrive 40 minutes early and Jeanne’s friend Judy was waiting. Train station as usual is downtown and large and beautiful. Jeanne has known Judy for over 40 years beginning from their working together in Yosemite national park. They and several others developed a very tight bond that has endured over the years. (As noted in my earlier ramblings, last year, about turkey)

Along the way we have inquired with various people “why are you riding the train?” Of course everyone has their own answer, but a common theme is they just do not like to fly – not afraid to fly, but prefer being more relaxed. No getting there early, hassling with airport, ticketing, lines, security, crowds, cramped quarters, etc. and you do not get to see the country traveling over or through. All agree the train is relaxing, and you get to see the country.

One friend of mine said air travel is like a Time Machine – you go sit in a metal tube, tap your feet for a few hours, and arrive at a different place and time. But as Douglas Adams noted in “hitchhikers guide to the universe” time travel is very discombobulating on the body. (He recommended several beers and peanuts for the electrolytes, before travel)

Will Rogers, who died in 1935, apparently once said New Orleans and San Antonio had some of he best personalities of any cities in the United States. Certainly New Orleans is famous for its distinct personality. If you were blindfolded and dropped into a city, some places you would not know where you are, but New Orleans one would know.

In our research of doing this trip Jeanne was trying to figure out what to do in New Orleans. I said just walk around and that is what we did. Drove from Judy’s into the French quarter and rambled about. Immediately on arrival the stern wheeler Natchez is blasting out jazz tunes on its air horns, street bands are playing outside numerous restaurants. Lively and energetic. For me music is nice during the day. I could never be a musician with the late night hours.

Jeanne and Judy went to the old mint and jazz museum. I opted to just go sit out on street side drinking a “nutty Irish coffee”

Then on to the food. Numerous choices of a wide variety. In 2017, again with Jeanne’s Yosemite friends, we had gone to a seafood restaurant I had remembered as awesome. Thanks to the iPhone technology of geo location, I found where it was located and guided Jeanne and Judy to lunch.

Yet another delightful evening just sitting at Judy’s house reading, conversing, I got to fix some loose wiring on the roof eves, drinking wine and general enjoyment of life. A quick drive this am to train and off we go again. Judy insisted we get some beignets, (New Orleans doughnuts) for the ride. Square donuts without holes covered in powdered sugar, delivered in a paper sack overfilled with more powdered sugar.

This has been the nicest train yet. It has an observation car again and no toilet in room, hence a bit more room, although bunk is the very tight quarter one although not sleeping in it.

The Mississippi River delta was interesting with its almost swamp land. Someone said they did see an alligator. I might have seen one swimming but unsure. Arrived Houston on time and sat for an haour and half waiting for the built in fudge factor not necessary this trip. Went into the Houston station and the worst station yet. Apparently “they” tore down the beautiful union station in the 1970s, with the intention of building a better one but they forgot that part, and now have a bus terminal. We arrive San Antonio at midnight, apparently to a similar station, although they do have a very nice ornate train station to be rented out, but not for train use.

On to family in San Antonio.