CRYSTALLIZED

One of the things I love most about travel is the opportunity to try new foods and tastes. That's one of the reasons the blog and associated websites are moving towards a newer focus on not only places we go, but the foods and drink that go along with those places.

Last year's mega-Road Trip - "Nineteen Days, 25 States, 6000 Miles" - was no exception. We sampled wines in Missouri and Virginia, down-home cooking' in North Carolina, seafood in Pensacola and quite a few other regionalized dishes.

One of the more enduring discoveries was this stuff: Crystal Hot Sauce.

We ran across it in New Orleans, where sauces are pretty much legendary and obligatory. It was sitting on a table with Tabasco and Cholula, the industry titans. So we sampled the Crystal after a local assured us it was "Better'n Tabasco".

It's a completely different taste and experience. Crystal, which seems to be available much more widely than I had anticipated, is perfect for eggs, Mexican food, sauces and much, much more. It's a more subtle Louisiana spiciness versus the vinegar heat of Tabasco. 

A bit of New Orleans in your cupboard.

(This is not a sponsored post, BTW. I just love the stuff and discovered it while traveling. Enjoy.)

LIFE IN THE BAYOU

The Louisiana bayous are the stuff of legend. From tales of pirates and treasures to the culture of the creole and cajun people that live back amongst the trees and swamps, it's a distinct and almost magical lifestyle.

For many of us it conjures up an image of the lone fisherman, or croc hunter in our most imaginative moments, living in a ramshackle house out amongst the mangroves.

Or of a voodoo priestess practicing her magic as the campfire light dances across the waters of the swamp.

And while there are people who live that way, life in the bayou isn't as harsh or isolationist as the casual visitor might expect.

A recent visit to New Orleans was highlighted by a tour around one of the neighboring bayous. Airboat, such as you might find in the Florida Everglades.  It's the perfect craft for navigating the swamps. Captain Mitch is your local guide. And Kermin is your host for a pleasant afternoon relaxing in the bayou.

You can find out more at Ultimate Swamp Adventures.

Our host Kermin

Kermin's "driveway" and front walk

Mitch working to free a trapped snake 

Captain Mitch discussing life on the bayou

COLORADO RIVER MORNING, MISSISSIPPI RIVER EVENING - A STUDY IN CONTRASTS

Shot as semi- companion pieces, the photograph of sunset on the Mississippi River (on left), contrasts nicely with the image of sunrise on the Colorado (on right).

I shot one as a landscape to capture the broadness of the Mississippi as it curved its way around a bend, the other as portrait to capture the sunlight as it bounced off the surface of the Colorado. One is shot from Mississippi (near Vicksburg) facing into Louisiana, while the other is from Nevada (near Laughlin) facing towards Arizona.

The red-hued Mississippi sunset also contrasts with the blue-tinted morning Colorado.

As noted, a study in contrasts.