Now where were we... ah yes, ribs! Last time we left you we were headed to Texas. I am glad to report that it only took us three days to drive through the state, it's huge! We came out of the New Mexican desert into the red dirt of west Texas. This place is flat 

and covered in low-lying grass, a real prairie land, can you believe it!?

Back to the ribs. Our first stop in Texas was for lunch in an old oil town, as Bob Edwards informed us, Big Springs. We ate at Al's. I don't usually eat ribs but these were amazing. The smokey taste of their goodness lingered on my fingers all afternoon. Jess ate brisket and chicken that was also good.

After a quick detour into Dublin, TX, the original home of Dr. Pepper, we arrived in Ft. Worth at the home of our relatives Bob and Leslie Edwards. They graciously put us up for two nights, and fed us too!

From there we explored Ft. Worth and Dallas. I'll put in a good word for Ft. Worth. It is, in these humble travelers opinions, the better of the two cities. We shopped at a flea market at the Will Rodgers Exposition Grounds, ate at a downtown pub, visited a very nice history museum, and rounded the day off with a visit to the Stockyards. Arlington was also fun as we able to, unbeknownst to the guards on duty, to sneak a peak at the new Cowboy Stadium while sitting in the luxury seats on the fifty yard line. The door was open and we 

decided to have a look, that simple really.

We were sad to leave our family in Ft. Worth but were excited to visit some new family in Houston. After visiting the Johnson Space Center, a day of space exploration and viewing the current astronaut training center, we drove to Galveston to stick our toes in the Gulf of Mexico. From the warm waters of Galveston we headed back into Houston for an overnight stay with Aunt Anita. 

From Gulfcoast Texas we headed to the Crescent City. New Orleans was a short 5 hours from Houston. We arrived to find our room and head into the city's French Quarter. We ate at Coop's Place and toured the architecture of the Quarter on foot. We found refreshment at the oldest drinking establishment in the North America. Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop it lit by candlelight as piano seeps out of the back room into the humid confines of Bourbon St.

Day Two in New Orleans was full of the southern charm and wealth of the Garden District, St. Charles, Magazine St.,  and Audobon. After beignets from Cafe du Monde of course. We saw many mansions we would not mind calling home, including the house The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was filmed at. Currently for sell mind you. After a nice chat with the districts residents who was both informative and courteous to tell us all he knew of his hometown, we headed for a wonderful dinner at Jacquesimo's. Fantastic!

That brings us to today. We left our Nawlin's home to drive through Mississippi and into Memphis, TN. Our first stop was Sun Studio and it did not disappoint. This is the spot Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and BB King all got their start. Many more less notable but no less talented acts also called it home. This is a must see in Memphis. 

That brings us to the ribs once again of course. Upon a recommendation from a local epicurian, or just person, we ate at The B-B-Q Shop Restaurant. Dry ribs and pulled pork with beans, slaw and sweet tea. It was heavenly.

Tomorrow we will visit the Civil Rights Museum and "experience" Graceland before we detour through Fontaine, AK (Historic Home of the Cooper's) and head to Rushville, IL via St. Louis, MO and Springfield, IL. 

I wonder how the ribs in St. Louis taste?