Spartanburg, SC--December 6-7, 2006

Spartanburg is a town I've skirted along many times on my way to other places.

It was a surprisingly short drive. I think I'm used to going well beyond Spartanburg, and on my way to other places in the Carolinas, it's been just where I start to get tired of driving. I did early check in at a very nice Holiday Inn Express off I-26. I went up to the room and pushed firmly on the door after card keying the lock. It, uh, didn't open--and it felt as if the interior lock was deployed.

SO down to the front desk where they discovered good, old fashioned South Carolina humidity had taken its toll on the door and the door frame, and it was a bit sticky. Still, I'm glad I didn't just go shoving in, that would be obnoxious if the room was actually still occupied.

Following that, I relaxed for a bit and reviewed my information literacy class materials.

I've learned now after some time on the road that dinner alone in a restaurant is rather miserable, so I've started taking advantage of mid-grade take out. I drove around and discovered a Mcallister's and ordered out. I didn't buy a drink there, so I stopped into a nearby drug store to get a soda and some milk. Big mistake.

I was tempted by chips, Pringles. I was footing the bill for this side trip myself and was planning to pay cash. For some reason, a bottled coke, a small skim milk, and a can of pringles ran up to 5.43, and I was planning on using a fiver. I got my receipt after using my check card and saw that the pringles rang up for 2.29, NOT the already outrageous 1.79 labeled on the shelf.

I pleaded my case, they did not listen to reason, and I told them they could have their pringles back. They refunded me cash for the pringles and I got on with my evening, returning to the hotel to enjoy free HBO and a lovely club sandwich.

I got a great night's sleep and then drove into downtown Spartanburg. It's quite lovely. Unlike the interestate strip mall culture I associate with this I-85 stopover, the downtown area was quite small and charming, punctuated by a couple of medium sized office buildings that formed a small skyline. Spartanburg is filled with quaint shops and restaurants, and the public library there is new, centrally located, and surrounded by nice architectural features, including a fountain, and an extended wall that is intended to mimic the mills that preceeded it in Spartanburg two generations ago.

The class went well, and by lunch, I'd made friends. We went to a local coffee shop that offered nice sandwiches and unique sides for lunch--I had a mocha with a chicken salad wrap and a side of white bean dip and pita chips. Delightful.

I left Spartanburg about 4:30, my breaks and spare time had been consumed by a problem with my savings bank that i finally got resolved shortly after the class. Stupid holiday EFT tragedy. Oh well.

Overall, Spartanburg--a good short trip, lovely people, nice, small town atmosphere.

Raleigh, NC , October 23-27, 2006

I had a great visit to the Cameron Village Public Library in Raleigh to work for three days.

Everything was grand and I enjoyed myself there.

Restaurant worth mentioning--Baja Burrito...worth enduring the heavy traffic and the crazy turn to get there. Thanks for the suggestions Dawnie. All the Raleigh people agree that's top notch burritoage.

The Raleigh area has a twilight zone. I only discovered it on my way out of town.

I thought to myself as I was leaving Raleigh proper that I'd just turn away from the direction of the aiprort and top off the gas tank in the rental car at the first gas station I came to in the little mini burbs out that direction.

I drove more miles, probably 15 or so, in search of a gas station than I drove the whole time I was in Raleigh prior to that. It was creepy. Pasture, Pasture, Pasture, Subdivision. Bigger subdivision..millon dollar house...pasture...pasture...pasture..construction...a corner where there looks like there should be a gas station, but alas, no.....

So note to self, there's this strange area South of the airport alll the way to the community of Carpenter...No, Zero, none nada, no gas to be had. I drove all the way back to Raleigh proper to get 4 dollars worth of gas.

And its just...weird. I started cursing all the area residents who must be "hybrid drivin' , phd carryin' work at home, lousy environmentalist beatnik types."

Not that I usually have a problem with that, but let me find a gas station and make my plane on time first.

Twilight Zone I tell you. However, I enjoyed flying over and driving past Lake Crabtree near the airport. Pretty in the fall.

Starkville, MS

I drove to Starkville, MS via Alabama. It's a pretty drive, but after Birmingham, there's just really not much to stimulate the weary traveler.


I think I'm officially bored of Mississippi.

Starkville is home to Mississippi State University and ...well not much else. It's a really lovely land grant school and has all that comes with that--lots of research, open fields of engineered grass, lots of ongoing building and restoration. It reminded me a bit of my own fair Alma Mater, UGA, but not nearly as enormous.

The room I worked in was a brand spanking new space, the Templeton Room--part of MSU's special collections.

So, that's pretty much it, rather a dull, uneventful trip this time.

S i g h.

New Orleans, LA

"I'm going to need two pair of shoes
When I get through walkin' to you
When I get back to New Orleans"

I'd flown to the Mississippi gulf coast. This was worse. As one flies over the gulf and into the New Orleans airport, spirits, old and new, chill the air inside the plane.

On the ground, initially, that chill is replaced by the heat and humidity that was so stifling to so many who went days without the simplest humaitarian gift of fresh food and water after Hurricane Katrina, just over a year ago.

The Louis Armstrong International Airport is in good shape. There's no hanging insulation or obvious leaking or flooding. There are nice enough airport restaurants and bars, sparsely populated with business men, government employees, and military personnel.

The 15 mile drive from the city to the airport lets the ghosts back in. Destruction is still evident in the residential areas. Homes, businesses, and warehouses are scraped apart and smeared across city side streets. A glimpse of the Superdome brings the first serious chill as you no longer just feel ghosts, you see apparitions. Cemeteries, known for their age, are dotted with too much fresh, new marble. Memories, images of bodies strewn on city streets and nursing homes too feeble to move.

I marvel at the drains, manhole covers with words like "Drain" and "Water."

Downtown to the city's center and the French Quarter to my hotel. There's movement and a bit of life left, hammers and nails replace the dead wood with fresh pine. The sex shops and burlesque of the quarter still thrive.--If this was God's wrath for New Orleans' seedy side, then this is no modern day Sodom. Sex still sells on Bourbon St.

So much popular culture here. I see streetcar tracks and hear the echo of Stanley yelling for Stella.

"I got the ways and means to New Orleans
I'm going down by the river where it's warm and green
I'm gonna have a drink, and walk around
I got a lot to think about"

I get to my hotel and then I just can't seem to stay in and stop walking, even though it's pushing
90 degrees out and the humidity is just dripping. I'm staying on Proyas St. I walk up to Canal St and around, searching
for Bourbon St. Then a sudden storm pops through the Canal Street calm, and I duck into a store front
with lots of touristy stuff, beads and masks and maps and chicory coffee to ride out the storm.

I duck into a great sandwich shop back down on St. Charles to get a sandwich.  A pleasant older woman
makes a Mickey po boy for me--fresh ham and roast beef on crusty bread with an Abita Turbo Dog for lunch. My first

I go out again and walk up and down St. Charles to the Garden District around Tulane University. I see Emeril staring
out at me on 50 TV's and I become very uninterested in eating at his restaurant. Later, I'd discover "it's good, but you have to
"...stop at Burger King after."

Confusion sets in, I get tired, and I'm up in my room talking to Dawn and sort of napping and fetching for directions simultaneously. I'm here, but I don't
know where to eat or what after exploring side streets. I need a map. I have Dawn look things up on MapQuest again, or
Streets and Trips, I don't remember. We talk for awhile and then I determine to nap and then dine
again around 4:30. I can't sit still, and I've now got a bead on the French Quarter again so I fall out of
bed and start going through hotel room drawers in search of a guide or a map. Duh. I find both in the
top desk drawer, clean the sweat of walking and sleep off a bit, and step out to find more food.

I find Mother's...a charming little counter service joint on Proyas St. A few people are there, supping on
po boys and gumbo. I order a combo platter with gumbo, jambalya, and red beans and rice accompanied
by greens and a light and lovely potato salad. I enjoy, but I need more coke. The staff wasn't overly
friendly, but the food was wonderful, and I sat fascinated by pictures of boxers and presidents dining
in the same space as me.

My thirst would persist. I wandered into the French Quarter and again found myself amazed by its
decadence. Open nudity on the window ads, ads for crude sex acts performed live on stage, sex, sex shops,
nice art shops...I'm overwhelmed. I find the bar where Calexico is supposed to play. I go in , but cna't find
anyone to ask them about tickets. It's too late anyway, I need to be on more than I will be on
than if I stay out all night.

I just walk and explore some more, circles and side streets--it's beautiful and strange and sad. I understand
the appeal for decadent vampires in search of aristocratic flesh. Only thing is, it's all from out of town now.

I get back to the hotel again and crave a drink or a coffee or something. I walk down to the coffee shop
just around the corner from my hotel and it's closed. I learned that a lot of service type businesses in
New Orleans now close early due to a shortage of working people to staff them.

My thirst gets the best of me and water just won't do. I walk down to the wal-greens I'd seen earlier
on Canal Street and fill a bag with cold drinks and cookies. I enjoy those back in the hotel for awhile, and then I
step out, refreshed, in search of a stiffer night cap. There's lots of noise in the city. The Saints are
back in town and everyone is celebrating. Their first game back in the Superdome is this very night
against Atlanta's Falcons. I usually couldn't care less about professional football, but I'll turn an eye
toward New Orleans tonight.

I find a hotel bar around the corner and sit down. The bar tender ignores me, favoring a group of drunken
business people who are obnoxiously interacting. I let him know I'm displeased and leave, turning the corner to explore
LaFayette Square--there's a party there, plus, the building I'm working in tomorow is there, so I duck in
to scope out both. The Saints are being welcomed back into the city, and there's already a pep rally for
Monday night's game even a week out. There's players, and cheerleaders...a crowd and beer...a band with horns--
so I hang out there in the square for awhile, relaxing and enjoying the music and a drink.

I venture back to the hotel..cookies...cola....sleep.

I get up in plenty of time to teach the next day. I walk over and have an enjoyable day with the legal
librarians of the 5th circuit court of appeals. My info packets didn't arrive for them, so we improvised a great class
based more on their needs than the set class I had in mind for them--so that worked out well.

I went with a group of about ten librarians for lunch at La Clote Brasserie--a damn fine joint with a great lunch
special. Three courses for $15.

I finish up and fly back. At the airport, I check out a cajun hot dog stand. Interesting. I fly back with a terrible
headache. It's a shame. Oddly enough, with all the flights I've been on in my life, this was my first night landing. It was really beautiful
to see Atlanta from the air, I wish my head had felt like staring out at the lights more.

I drove home on cruise control, barely able to hold up my head. I made it, relaxed, and then had a very hectic
rest of the week.

Savannah, GA

August 30 & 31, 2006

I got out of the office a bit later than expected. My whole training experience was coming together as I'd actually taken the time to create the content for this class. I procrastinated, struggled, had writer's block of all kinds and types, but I got it done!

So I finished things up lateish and got on the road in a little red, well...let's just say it wasn't a corvette--but it was a Chevy Cobalt. I got out of Atlanta pretty efficently, with the exception of a long wait in the line at the bank, but hey, it was a pay day, and pay day is worth the wait.

I headed down to Macon, and since it's on the way, I stopped in for a visit with my former Mercer U. Colleagues. It was nice to see everyone. I was able to come and claim my missing academic regalia and a jacket I'd left behind. I saw the 4 PM Cockfield Dance that Lee and Consuela had invented, and it was both hilarious and embarassing.

I resumed my drive to Savannah on Interstate 16. This is probably the longest, most dull drive between major Georgia cities. There's pretty much nothing between Macon and Atlanta. It's very green, very flat, and very straight. Fortunately, The trees keep me for getting that driving dementia that I get in the midwest.

I arrived in the historic downtown area of Savannah. My directions, as usual, sucked. Savannah is one of those towns where directions are pretty useless anyway. Abercorn St. is the key. It connects all!

So I settled into the Hampton Inn once I found it. I didn't have lunch or breakfast, so I was rather starving. I headed out to find food. I stepped into Chili's, but it was too damned busy. There was a local Chinese buffet nearby that looked pretty good. It wasn't but it filled the hole.

I settled back into the hotel, got myself a little more organized to teach, and drifted to sleep.

The 5:30 alarm came all too soon, but fortunately, I got on up and got going. The morning was rainy and damp, the trailing edge of tropical storm Ernesto had dropped in to sprinkle some wind and rain on Savannah. Chatham County closed schools for the day--better safe than sorry.

I set out to find Savannah State University. Easier said than done. My yahoo maps directions took me into some gated back entrance of the university. Gate was closed. So I got lost. Really lost. Really, really lost. I just collected myself, kept calm, took a deep breath, dodged lots of mud puddles, tried not to get stuck in swamps when I turned around, and finally--got myself to where I needed to be right on time.

Savannah State has a fairly small but nice campus. I came into the classroom and met folks, and made some really great connections. The class went much better than I had expected--overall,I feel I performed beautifully, and I had selected the best content for an overview and summary of information literacy.

I was so thrilled to have a wonderful public librarian in my class who was able to contribute a lot of what public libraries were doing for information literacy training. She had great tales of how they were going into schools, working with school media specialists, making connections with their patrons through GALILEO and ancestry.com training.

For our lunch break, I was invited to lunch by our faculty person who attended...also a great thing to have in a class like this--a real-time contribution and chance to comment from faculty. She is a sociologist and made great comments and added to our collaborative spirit.

She took us to an Indian restaurant in Savannah, all vegetarian, amazingly good food,a variety of curries and breads. Amazing and entertaining. It's always fun to eat an ethnic cusine with someone from that ethnic group. I always learn. Learned that there are all these different curries--comprised of several ingredients--different flavor combinations, based on the amount of each contributing season added to a particular kind of curry--are applied to different bases, meat, veggies, etc. Fun!

So the class wrapped up, I got some good comments and information to help me improve it the next time, and I got through it all just fine.

If only getting out of Savannah was as easy. Interstate 16 ENDS in Savannah, so there's only one or two points you can get on--it's not like Atlanta where, if I drive long enough, I'm going to drive right into an interstate on ramp.

So a period of being lost in more swampy areas of the city, and finally, 516, to 16 and outta there. I stopped for gas and combos (required road food) and got up outta there.

The drive was long and evening thunderstorms were frequent. I was happy to be back in our little apartment. I got a nice welcome back from Dawn, got settled in, had a beer, watched "A Different World" and went to sleep.

Gulfport/Hattiesburg, Mississippi

My first trip. 8/10-11, 2006

Day One:
I arrived at the airport plenty early, my neat, new wheeled, carry on bag in tow behind me and the gigantic, employer provided laptop bag pretty much crushing my shoulder. Note: get a new laptop bag.

Being the geek I am, I scoped out the airline's equipment on the web page beforehand, and knew that it was a small plane, but a relatively luxurious small plane--the Embraer 170--it has a wider, four across interior and more head and leg room than most small jets. It's Brazilian made and has an excellent safety record.

I caught a 2:40 flight out of Atlanta bound for Gulfport. The captain warned us ahead of time that the weather could be rough. There was the usual amount of bumping and grinding you'd expect in the summer time...until we came out of the sky around Gulfport.

On this day, a heavy summer storm covered most of the gulf coast. As we descended through the clouds into the city, bits and sparks of lightning snapped over and across the wing of the plane. From the air, deadly lightning is exquisitely pale, pearl orange with a hint of electric blue--and you can see an Earth-bound streak of it from cloud top to its explosive strike point.

The pilot carefully navigated around the heart of the storm and over the city. I anticipated landing with pale knuckles and damp hands. the sharp thunk of the landing gear opening tunneled through the plane and offered hope that we'd be on the ground safely soon.

...Or not. The pilot announced that due to a navigation equipment failure in the tower, our landing was waived off at the last minute. So another trip or two around the city as the storm seemed to grow closer and stronger....harder to avoid.

Finally we hit the ground on our second try. Everyone knows the feeling of being in a city's airport for the first time--seeking signage, direction for the directionless. I hovered quietly for a moment, out of the way of the experienced, and got my bearings.

Down the stairs to the rental car area. Where are the rental car counters?
Why are there two feet of water on the floor between baggage claim and the ticket counter? I waded down and out of the airport, and into the long, leaky series of "covers" leading to the parking lot and the rental car...trailers?

The storm still raged. I stood fast with a few military guys, chatting, waiting for the weather to pass. Finally, a little lull and I sprint toward the Thrifty hut.

There I find a very kind staff of two, and I'm being nicer than I should be. They are dilligently mopping up their trailer, and I'm dripping everywhere--soaked to the bone, wet socks, wet jeans up to my knees--they invite me to come on into the little building and I do.

"You're a librarian? I love to go to the library, so does my daughter."
"Oh honey, I ain't been to a library in ten years."

I'm off and driving a nice upgrade--a Dodge Stratus when I'm expecting a Neon. The storm rages on, I have an hour of driving ahead, Gulfport to Hattiesburg on Hwy. 49. The rain lets up for a few minutes and lets me find my way out of Gulfport. No sooner than I'm in more clean sailing though, it starts up strong again.

After a couple of wrong turns (If you're driving from Gulfport to Hattiesburg, JUST stay on hwy 49, it'll take you straight in..stupid mapquest) I make it to Hattiesburg, check into my hotel--which is falling apart, but being repaired--and make plans for dinner at the nearest chain restaurant, a Lone Star steak house within walking distance.

I can see I'm going to like eating at the bar at these places, soaking up a beer or two and some local color/culture. I sit down and this Irish gentleman is talking with this African American man. It sounds like the start of a good joke. I eavesdrop as the barkeep gets my beer and food. They talk of American air superiority and automatic weapons and baseball. Bravo.

The bar is tended by two college students--a frat boy and a normal sort of college aged woman who the old guys at the bar like. She enjoys the attention.

After dinner, I settle in, talk with Dawn for awhile, review my notes, and by 7 PM, I'm out--apparently, I was exhausted.

Day Two:

I'm up super early, but not without a good night's sleep. The room was dirtish, moldy, and not very well kept, but the sheets were clean and the air cool and comfortable. I try to iron my shirt, but the hotel iron is junk. I call and ask for another--and I'm rudely told that I can "come down and GET one if I WANT one."

Ready and out the door in plenty of time. I find University of Southern Mississippi with no problems, park, and head into the library. The campus is nice, clean, well manicured with nice flowers all over. Green. The area that encountered so much destruction still shows it, but the beauty seeps through the ruins, both in the pride taken to rebuild, and in the attitude of the people you meet.

I have a great class with a good group of people, and at the end, get a good restaurant suggestion from the staff at the University of Southern Mississippi Gulfport campus.

I drive back to Gulfport. I have to stay over because I can't get back in time for the last flight of the day. The drive back is very enjoyable. A clear, sunny day, minimal traffic, and I'm surrounded on all sides by the DeSoto National Forest. I find my hotel, kick off the hot, dressy teaching clothes and change. I discover the restaurant that was suggested for me is again within walking distance and I head out to the Blowfly Inn. On the way over, I discover my hotel is pushed flush up against a KrispyKreme doughnut shop. Later.

Yes, the Blowfly Inn.

I walk in and I'm greeted by the nicest hostess, who seats me. I can tell this is going to be a treat. The waitress is middle aged and kind, and of course--calls me honey and darlin'. Sorry darlin. She suggests the ribs, and I read through the menu and agree. They're served up nicely with a lovely, warm , thick, red bar b que sauce. These are the most amazing ribs--there's like a firm, juicy steak wedged between each bone.

I finish them up, along with a side of excellent seafood gumbo and a sweet tea. After, I relax for a bit and enjoy watching the locals/regulars pop in and out. A guy sat across from me, obviously a hard-working construction man in town for a clean up job. When asked by the waitress if he'd like something to drink he heartily groaned into a giggle..."A glass of tea about as big as you can find." She brought him a pitcher.

I walk back to the hotel and relax for a bit, then KrispyKreme, and then a few minutes of sleep.

I wake up way too early to find Coal Miner's Daughter on. If it's on, the rule is--you have to watch it. I didn't get much sleep this night, but that's ok--Loretta's adventures in Butcher Holl'er are far more fascinating than anything I can dream up.

I fall asleep again around 4:30, and then wake to a ringing phone at 5. Flight's canceled. Rebooked on the 9. That's ok, I can sleep later, and still get back to Atlanta around the same time.

I do, the flight is uneventful in spite of the nice surprise they got in London the night before. So much for a new carry on. Just check 'em all.

I take Marta back to the office, and leave early for home.

I enjoyed my first trip a good bit. I found the gulf coast of Mississippi agreeable and nice. The people were surprisingly lacking in cynicism and eager to please. I had people in my class who are still living in FEMA trailers, but they are able to have a sense of humor about it. I look forward to going back there.