Category: Travel & EDC

Habitat for Humanity, New Orleans, Louisiana

Habitat for Humanity in New Orleans was at the top of our list of things to do this summer, especially given what’s gone on here since Katrina. Yes, it felt like volunteer tourism, but the houses themselves, and the families soon to live in them, welcome all the sweat help they can get. The safety brief to start it out quickly transitioned to power tools and roofing under the Louisiana sun. Java oversaw our progress and got dirty with everyone else. Many thanks to Dan, our fearless project manager, who will always have our respect for the work that he does day in and day out.

15 years ago

Coop’s Place, New Orleans, Louisiana

Coop’s Place is the right answer: local, with a vibe to match, some of the best food in town and a staff that is casual yet proud of the place. When asked what the special is, Steve, our bartender, said Yes, I recommend the food here, all of it. When pressed, red beans and rice with fried chicken came out. Java welcomed the dog friendly atmosphere and the picture of Coop’s dog above the fireplace, so we stayed a good while into our first night in the Big Easy.

15 years ago

Fairhope, Alabama

Fairhope came highly recommended as a local fishery and overall good time. The dock was full of smiling fishermen, some young and some old, several of whom were here because these waters, in the Mobile Bay, are oil free (but not shark free). We headed to Wintzell’s for lunch and enjoyed its food and its sense of humor, and their heartfelt thanks for visiting when they most need it.

15 years ago

A 14 Hour Drive, Florida

Some days on the road are sexier than others. A 14 hour drive is not ideal, but traveling from one end of the sunshine state to the other proved an adventure on both ends. As all days should begin, we took an early morning swim in the Keys, grabbed coffee for the road, and 14 hours later stayed with new friends at West Florida’s SAE Chapter, whose mascot kept a look out for us all night after a long day’s drive. Florida we love you, we’ll be back soon.

15 years ago

Key West, Florida

We expected a beautiful sunset, a lot of tourists, and a good time, and we got more than we bargained for after a scenic drive to the mainland’s southern tip (only 90 miles to Cuba). After sharing some beauty with friends on our new favorite pier, we headed to Sloppy Joe’s, Hemingways’ old hangout, where we had a great time, always under close watch (and hopefully approval) by the island’s favorite writer.

15 years ago

Little Havana, Miami, Florida

Calle Ocho in Little Havana holds a unique, very bilingual charm expressed with smiles and laughter all around. We took local advice (always) and went to Versailles for the special, a Cuban Sandwich with Chorizo Sausage, and a side of plantain chips – Java got his to go en route to Domino Park, where we made friends with Larry, a veterano, who invited us to a game as his guest. Let’s just say it went very well for Larry, who was all smiles and invited us back “anytime”.