LandCruise episode 7: Mammoth Cave to New Orleans

Mammoth Cave, just outside of Cave City, KY is the worlds longest cave system. It has over 432 miles of explored pathways, and more that has not yet been explored. The Rotunda is a dry cave, 1/4 acre in size with a large circular ceiling. Not the prettiest cave, but definitely the largest!

No trip through Nashville would be complete without a Bushwacker (Creme de Cacoa, Dark Rum, Kahlua, Cream of Coconut, Milk, Ice, Amaretto, Bacardi Rum, Irish Cream and Vodka) and lunch at Hattie B’s chicken. We missed it the first time through so made sure to stop on the way back home. Well worth it!

Explored the U.S. Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. The Official Visitor Center for NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center and a Smithsonian Affiliate. Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team of rocket scientists transformed this area in the 1950’s, assisting with the Apollo moon launch. It remains home to the second largest space research park in the US, working closely with Elon Musk and private venture capitalists in our evolving space exploration.

FAME recording studio in Muscle Shoals,AL is very proud of the fact that nothing here has changed in a long time. Owner Rick Hall (Must See – Ken Burns documentary entitled “Muscle Shoals”) made this small studio, in this small town a breeding ground for some of the most creative and legendary music sounds ever – Aretha Franklin, The Osmond Brothers, Greg Allman, Little Richard, Otis Redding, Etta James, Jimmy Cliff, Mick Jagger, Alicia Keys, Keith Richards, Percy Sledge, Steve Winwood, The Black Keys, Bob Dylan, and more. Often, these artists jammed with the house band The Swampers. Rick’s son has taken over and his wife, Linda Kay, works at the front desk and welcomed us warmly with her Southern charm. She is busy with the slated movie that is to be discussed/produced soon.

Next stop – Dauphin Island just outside Mobile, AL. The Lighthouse Bakery was truly dangerous, baking “from scratch” recipes by Mrs. Mary Scarcliff. Friendly staff, now managed by her daughter.

Mobile holds the interesting acclaim to the place where FIRE ANTS were first introduced to the US in the early 1900’s. Exploring the area, we made an effort to stop in Daphne – a beautiful suburb of Mobile – which brought back great memories of our Dutch exchange student, Daphne Van Esveld who spent her 16th summer with us.

Every book said you MUST have banana pudding in Alabama, so we stopped at a recommended spot to imbibe. The pudding was “ok”, but if you are a true connoisseur – hold out for the BEST pudding at Pappadeux restaurant in Austin, TX (You’ll be glad you did!)

We spent minimal time in MS, a quick trip along the coast – we’ll have to return on another trip. A stop at the Gehry designed Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi proved to true to form for Gehry (I would never want to be responsible for the upkeep on his buildings, their rooflines and odd angles must be painful to maintain but the architectural lines are striking!) Huge beautiful live oaks line the coastal road, with minimal development noted. We were told this area was hit hard by several hurricanes and has just not recovered.

Louisiana – The Boot (nicknamed from its state’s shape). Unbelievable, but with so much to do, Nat and I went a FULL DAY in NOLA (New Orleans) without food! A short line at The Gumbo Shop found us seated with close neighbors. So close, we decided to just have dinner together. Marie and Pierre, who spoke as much English as we did French, were so friendly the language barrier did not stop us from having a wonderful time. An invitation to visit them in La Baule Bay near Pornichet, France sounds like a great “next trip”! Serendipitously, a young bilingual French couple were seated at the table to the other side of us and quickly became our interpreters!

The World War II museum in New Orleans is captivating. The story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world is housed in several skillfully designed museum buildings. An idea conceived by Steve Ambrose and Gordon “Nick” Mueller, this museum is interactive and very comprehensive. The 4-D history film “Beyond All Borders”, produced and narrated by Tom Hanks, tied it all together, making the day one to remember forever.

With several consultants (Thanks Paul, and Lise!!) we enjoyed some amazing food – NOLA has so much to offer. A traditional Italian meal at Mosca’s, a family owned and operated restaurant since 1946 did not disappoint. Definitely a “family” experience.

Beignets, coffee, PoBoys, Creole, Bourbon street, the French Quarter, The Garden District, and Louis Armstrong Park topped off our trip to New Orleans!