Yes, We are Talking Louisiana and Good Food

In March of 2019, I made a business trip to the New Orleans area of Louisiana.  It was a fun trip.  There were lots of good eats.  Here are some pictures of the stops and some of the people from the trip.  We stayed in Covington, Louisiana.  It's a short drive to New Orleans and the town is very accomodating.

The business meetings were at the Bayou Lacombe Center of the Southeast Louisiana National Wildlife Refuge in Lacombe, Louisiana.  The Center includes the former property used by the Redemptorist Order of the Catholic Church.  It includes many gardens and historic buildings.  

Bayou Lacombe in Lacombe, Louisiana.

Char Lou's for an oyster po'boy, Lacombe, Louisiana.

Bayou Adventure for crayfish boil, Lacombe, Louisiana.

Mr. Ed's Oyster Bar and Fish House in New Orleans, Louisiana.

New Orleans Food and Spirits in Covington, Louisiana.

Got to go back and see this Tiki Tolteca bar!

Happy Trails,

Mike

Back to Decorah, Iowa for a Winter Looksee

In February of 2019, we zoomed up to Decorah, Iowa for a couple of days to see what this town is like in the winter.  It did not disappoint.  We got a nice snowfall during our first night in town so the cross country ski trails were perfect for us.  We were the first ones down the trail after the trail grooming machine just passed through the segment we chose to ski on for the morning. 

Nothing like an oatmeal muffin in steamed milk and a chai latte after skiing at Java John's Coffee House.  

We hit the Oneota Community Food Coop to pick up some snacks and drinks for the hotel room and drive home.

A little late afternoon brewskis and snacks helps too.  There are two breweries in Decorah.  This is Toppling Goliath Brewing Company on the east side of town by the airport.  They have a diverse line of beers that ship around Iowa too.

Got to complete the next morning with a matcha green tea latte from Impact Coffee Bar and Roasters located in downtown Decorah in an old bank building.  

No trip to Decorah would be complete if we didn't have a meal at La Rana Bistro or Rubaiyat in the downtown area of town.  We just like this place.  Good ambiance, good drinks, good food, and good service.  

Say goodbye to Decorah, Iowa for now.  Below is a place downtown where people leave donated outerwear for those that need it.  

Happy Trails,

Mike & Melody

 

La Crosse, Wisconsin Trip

February 2019, it's off for a short trip to the riverside city of La Crosse, Wisconsin.  We've visited here before and discussed it in previous blogs, but we did find new stops to talk about on this trip.  

We found the snow line as we headed north and crossed through the historic village of Beetown.  Is that an old mill structure along a stream the runs through town?  The snow cover created a picturesque farm scene outside of La Crosse.  

One of our goals was to have a meal at the new La Crosse Distillery Company in downtown La Crosse.  It did not disappoint.  Very tasty eats and drinks.  They also have features to help celebrate nature's pollinators as a conservation effort.  Cool.

Matcha latte and latte at the Root Note.  The toasty atmosphere and tasty hot drinks hit the spot as it was cold outside.

 

Can't forget to stock up on some more tea from Dim Sum along the downtown cross streets.

That's one heck of a cool junk shop about a hour south of La Crosse.  Its called Kickapoo Trading Post on the outskits of Readstown, Wisconsin.   

We drove across the Mississippi River to La Cresent, Minnesota for some breakfast.  Kaddy's Cafe was cosy and the food was yummy.  We've been to La Cresent in the past to buy apples.

Swung through the city of Hokah, Minnesota on the way back to home.  You can't miss stopping at the Hokah Hardware store when in town.  They have at least one of everything.  As they say, "if we don't have it you don't need it".

Happy Trails,

Mike & Melody