Day 2: Swinging on in to the Big Easy

Day two of our grand adventure saw us leaving Atlanta for New Orleans. On the way, we stopped by Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park. Here, 100,000 Union troops under General Sherman were marching towards Atlanta, playing a game of cat and mouse with the 65,000 Confederate troops under General Johnston. The Confederates had retreated to Kennesaw Mtn. and dug-in as the Union troops advanced on their positions. The Federals, though superior in numbers and arms had to charge up a very steep and wooded hill, into fortified positions. Needless to say, that didn't work so well and after loosing 3,500 troops in the frontal assault Sherman, at the request of his generals, stopped the attack and instead went around the mountain, again pushing towards Atlanta.

While touring the battlefields artillary positions, we ran into one local guy whose great-grandfather fought for the Confederates at this battle. It was easy to tell he was still up tight about Sherman's scorched-earth policy towards the cities his army conquered, especially Atlanta. Another gentleman from Tennessee while discussing the battle remarked, "Yep this is where the bad guys came up (referring to the Union troops). A different perspective to say the least. The exhibit was well done, movie and walk through.

We then jumped back into the car, prepared our usual feast for lunch (ppj, assorted nuts, carrots and water) and mosied on down to New Orleans. After only 8 hours of driving we arrived and made our way down to the French Quarter for a late dinner. Now dad has bragged about eating alligator on some of his trips down here so I had to try it, to see if indeed it tastes like chicken. So we ordered, alligator, crayfish cake and some Jumbalaya. For the record, alligator does in fact resemble chicken, but requires a little more chomping. Tough, but tasty.

We then did a quick tour of the French Quarter (not a whole lot of positive things going on down there at 12 o-clock at night and apptly summed up by our waiter as they modern-day version of Sodom and Gomorah) and made our way back to our car, parked in a dark, dank, rat-infested alley. The Dad was wondering what are we doing here....but then remembered that Solomon took his son to the edge and showed the folly of the sinful life... Actually, dad has been there 3+ times and it has gotten worse everytime.... this was the last time. There are other things to see in the Big Easy.. (Dad)It was kind of sad, actually, probably some very upstanding folks, especially guys, having a hard time even walking down the street. The waiter recounted some episodes that are not the best to put in print... Lord help us.