FL - Alabama - Mississippi - New Orleans, Louisiana

Well we eventually got ourselves out of the state of Florida on thursday morning, and into our 11th state, Alabama. We made a quick stop off in the city of Mobile, before quickly heading onto state 12 of the trip, Mississippi. I think it's fair to say this is definitely our least favourite state of the trip so far!! We weren't in Mississippi long, but based on 1st impressions I'd describe it as a weird mix of Jurby and Foxdale, with a bit of Peel sprinkled in for good measure!! Anyway we were into state 13, Louisiana before we knew it, although we got caught in yet another storm beforehand(another reason not to like Mississippi!!)...luckily for me it was during Alderman's driving shift!! :-)

Anyhow by about 4pm we had arrived in New Orleans and checked into our hotel!! So driving that bit extra the day before definitely paid off...!! We had a good walk around New Orleans - and quickly realised what an awesome place it is!! Just really chilled out with loads going on, we had some food and a few drinks at the Hard Rock cafe on the waterfront, before embarking on a walk through Bourbon Street, which lets just say was an experience!! Ha.

Today didn't really go to plan...after having our first lie in of the trip, we went for a good old run along the Mississippi River as you do in the blazing heat!! Anyway about 10 minutes after the run Alderman had a bit of a funny turn...felt dizzy and nauseous, before pretty much collapsing to the floor unable to move or speak!! So I had to go for help...and just pushed my way through a massive queue into some Aquarium which was nearby and got them to get a 1st aider and call an ambulance!! Don't worry though folks, he's healthy again...ambulance came & shipped him off to a local hospital, where he was pumped with plenty of liquids for being severely dehydrated!! He is fine now though...scared the shit out of me for a bit though!! So we've been here 2 weeks, and he's been in an ambulance and almost carted off in a police car, so he only needs a run in with a fire truck now and he'll have a full set!! I personally am glad to have had a contrastingly 'low key' fortnight...

Then tonight we've been to the Green Day gig, which we got our tickets to ages ago once we had a rough plan of our route in schedule!! It was absolutely awesome!!!!!!!!!!! It was at the New Orleans Arena, which was about a 10 minute walk from our hotel....Green Day in New Orleans is pretty special anyway, as after Hurricane Katrina, the New Orleans 'Superdrome' had to get done up again & relaunched, at which Green Day performed their song 'Saints Are Coming' live, as New Orleans American Football team are called the Saints!! So needless to say this song went down well live as they hadn't played it anywhere since that night!! They really were so good live, we're both fans of their older stuff really and haven't bought the new album but still really enjoyed it, especially the older stuff obviously;

...Like I said, they were awesome!!!!! Anyhow we leave New Orleans in the morning and will be heading on West to Houston, Texas - our 14 state...and the biggest one in the whole country!! So safe to say we have a few hardcore driving days ahead...bring them on :-)