The Nation’s Capital & The Big Easy

Using the Left Coast Crime conference as an excuse, Jan and I indulged in one of our favorite means of transportation: train travel, using sleepers the whole way. Our trip started in Savannah (our winter home) and the first train was an overnight to Washington, DC. We arrived early morning at Union Station. I love the old train stations, built in an era of growth and optimism. Built to last, with high open spaces, the architectural details are wonderful. With the advent of airplane transportation, we turned our backs and neglected most of those splendid buildings. Some, however, took on new lives and have been restored. Washington’s Union Station is one of those in good shape.

After breakfast in the station, we had the day to play in D.C. before our late afternoon departure. We chose to explore the city on foot. Washington is a fine walking city with its parks, malls, monuments and such. We happened to be there on a Sunday, which started out quiet. Early in the morning we met a skagilllion joggers enjoying the empty streets. Later in the day, as crowds grew around the various monuments, I was impressed by how contemplative people were around our war memorials (WW II, Korea, Vietnam), how friendly people were around the Presidential memorials (Lincoln, Roosevelt & Jefferson).

New for me were the Martin Luther King Memorial and FDR Memorial. Most depressing were FDR’s words regarding conditions in the country before World War II. While much has changed between the great depression and now, many of his words are as applicable today as they were then regarding inequality.

On the way back to the train station we met well-mannered crowds awaiting the start of the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. After a late lunch we hopped back on the train.

I’ll fast-forward the trip through Chicago, Left Coast Crime, LA. and arrive in New Orleans, “The Big Easy.” The train station is utilitarian, clean, functional, but with none of the beauty of Washington’s Union Station (still it was a huge step up from the Birmingham, AL station that was really rundown). We arrived at night and spent the following day in the city.

Twice I had spent time in New Orleans attending conventions during my business career and had enjoyed the city. That was then; this is now. And now, I am so not a New Orleans person. One of New Orleans’ attractions for me had been its interesting architecture. The architecture hasn’t changed; however, now that I live in Savannah, it’s no longer so special.

I will continue to grant New Orleans its food. We ate well, but this city that wants you to “Let the good times roll” is a city fueled by excess alcohol.

People were loud and rude—that’s the visitors, of course, the residents were pleasant and interesting. The temperature was wonderful so the streets were full. Walking with petite steps is not my thing. I’m sure the jazz was great, but I had no desire to go anywhere near Bourbon Street after dark. The one place I really enjoyed myself was the Besthoff Sculpture Garden.

The issue, of course is not with New Orleans. The issue is me. There is an energy about big cities that I do enjoy. Give me New York, or D.C. or Chicago or San Francisco, and I can tap into that energy. Like an old fire horse, my step turns a bit faster. But I’d rather have a quiet walk almost anywhere than be in the midst of a mass of alcohol-enhanced people, which is New Orleans in the French Quarter.

We didn’t have time to visit the new World War II museum in New Orleans, which people raved about. I doubt that will be enough to tempt me to return any time soon. I can see a few more train trips to D.C. or New York in my future. Hear those whistles blow.

~ Jim