Chicagoan, writer, adventurer
I found a used bookstore not too far from where I work. And bookstores are like museums. I could fritter away hours in both places.
Found myself in the travel section, and this book found me. French Milk by Lucy Knisley. An illustrated travelogue of her adventures in Paris.
I love old stuff, I really do. Old houses, old streets, old trees–all of it. Was fortunate to spend a Sunday afternoon in Laurel, Mississippi, a couple weekends ago, and the Busy Bee News-Coins-Pipe Shop on N. Fifth Street? Imagination sparked.
The news and pipe shop made complete sense to me. But coins? Something I’d have to research/parse later.
Fifth Street is a main artery from the historic downtown area, and it’s dotted with old buildings and Southern live oaks. More lovely than I could have anticipated.
A little further down is the Lauren Rogers Museum of Art and although the museum doesn’t permit photos outside of the lobby area, the collections are diverse and exceptional.
Across the street from the museum is the Rogers-Green House, which is pretty magnificent, at least to this passerby.
Vicksburg, Mississippi, is a shortish drive from Jackson–about 45 minutes due west on Interstate 20. It’s the seat of Warren County and although it’s primarily known for its role in the end of the Civil War, I prefer its architecture.
Found this home, okay, mansion, on Drummond Street.
And then this beauty on Cherry Street.
In the historic downtown area, there is the Mississippi River Commission headquarters building, which appears to have been constructed in the late 1800s.
There is also the Biedenharn Coca-Cola Museum. Vicksburg is where Coca-Cola was first bottled in 1894.
I was hungry. Not exactly hangry, but could use a bite to eat. Tacos, I was thinking. I knew where to head after a day of exploring Saint Petersburg. Over the bridge and back to Empamamas in the Tampa Heights neighborhood. This sign had me at Roses Are Red.
What makes a great taco? In my opinion, it needs a proper foundation (foundation as in tortilla), and flour just doesn’t cut it. Too soggy, too limp. The tortilla has to be corn, and Empamamas checked that box. Deliciously cooked proteins. Empamamas checked that box as well. Add to the above fresh vegetables, pico, and street corn, and my meal/day was made. Give me tacos. The end.
Last day in #Tampa and it’s been a fun visit. My friend Audrey and I took a trolley yesterday from downtown to Historic Ybor City for dinner.
The trolleys are free and easy to board. Also tidy, broom swept clean.
Although you can’t take a trolley to Armature Works in the Tampa Heights neighborhood, this is well worth the trip. It’s a 73,000 square foot streetcar warehouse that has been reimagined and repurposed as a mixed-use center and restaurant marketplace. The space is massive and thoughtfully designed. Good stuff.
Places I could easily fritter away hours: garden centers and botanical gardens, seriously. The Florida Botanical Gardens in Largo are pretty neat-o.
A beautiful selection of camellias (thoroughly smitten with this shade of pink):
The Princess Flower from Brazil. Crazy-cool stamens on this flower.
And then this pale orange hued hibiscus. To spend a life surrounded by flowers is a pretty enviable one.
One of my dearest friends invited me to come hang out in #Florida for a couple days, so I got in my little car and headed south and east. The drive from Jackson to the Sunshine State is a bit long (about 11 hours), but the experiences and sights are pretty interesting.
Got brunch at Shore in #Sarasota, and it’s impossible to go wrong with a sunny-side up egg, avocado, and tomato sandwich.
Stood under some beautiful Spanish moss.
Also stopped at Bradenton Beach, and the sand is powdery soft. This little guy didn’t seem to mind us taking photos. Life’s a beach.
