It's been four long years since I've savored a "Huge Ass Beer" in THE Quarter, but tomorrow I will (if I can find the place.) For those of you who saw the photo on my fridge, you know how awesome it will be. That said, I owe the rest of you a back story.

For my 27th birthday, I boarded a train in B'ham, where there is a BAR CAR (awesome!), and headed south to New Orleans. If if you've ever heard the old adage "Half the fun is getting there," then you can appreciate not having to drive or park in New Orleans, AND, having a designated driver all the way back to Birmingham is awesome compared to to figuring out who is the least intoxicated to get everyone home. Also, I reserved no hotel room. Instead, I stayed out all night until the train took us back to Birmingham around 7 a.m.the following morning.

SO, in a couple of hours I plan to repeat history with one small exception. On trains you have the option of sleeping in an actual bed/bunk as opposed to you coach chair and unlike the last time, I'll be sleeping in a fully horizontal position as opposed to being caught between two planes of constricted comfort (X and Y) like the last time.

I'll be sure to share all/most of the tawdry tales from this trip once I return ;>) (or not)