Dec 2025 – Jan 2026 - Christmas to New Year - Trip

I was supposed to leave Lincoln on the 19th or 20th of Dec; however, I got sick over the weekend and ended up working two more days. By Dec 23, I was still sick but decided to take the road; whatever flu or cold virus I had was going to take its time anyway, and usually staying in bed does not help. This trip is a bit out of my ordinary style; it’s toward the south, which is mainly cities and the coast. My map included states (Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Kansas, and then finally home). It also included 6 national parks, with me realizing that I would not be able to make it to two of them since I did not have any reservations. So another trip to the south is most likely needed to get to these two national parks, which are Dry Tortugas National Park and Virgin Islands National Park.

The first destination was Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas:

I drove from Lincoln around 10 am, and my GPS showed 9 hours and 32 minutes, with the hope to arrive by 8 pm.

The drive was really smooth, and the weather turned out to be really nice. By 3:25 p.m., I was in Neosho, Missouri, and the temperature was 72°F. Shortly after Neosho, I entered Arkansas. This region reminded me of Germany; plenty of hills and forests, and there was a part with so many bridges close to Chester, Arkansas, which reminded me of southern Germany, where my mom loves. It was exactly the same landscape and vibe.

As I started driving through rural areas of Arkansas, the most notable thing was the religious signs. They were all over the road, with so much creativity and different kinds of sentences, things like “Mark, the voice of Jesus calls you,” or “Go to church, or the devil will get you,” and even full Bible scriptures were printed and displayed. Learning about that later, apparently, the high density of religious signs, billboards, and monuments in Arkansas is primarily due to its location in the "Bible Belt," a region characterized by high rates of evangelical Protestantism, strong cultural conservative influence, and a history where religion is deeply integrated into daily life.

Another notable thing was the land in Arkansas being rocky, primarily due to the geologic uplift of the Ozark and Ouachita Mountains, combined with millions of years of erosion that removed topsoil and exposed durable, ancient sedimentary rock layers like limestone, sandstone, and chert. These mountainous regions, known as the U.S. Interior Highlands, are characterized by shallow soils and exposed bedrock rather than deep, flat plains.

After Russellville, Arkansas, the road became extremely remote, hilly, and a lot of switchbacks, but I made it to Hot Springs National Park a little before 8 pm. After looking at different hotel options, I decided to stay at Arlington Resort Hotel & Spa, mainly due to the history of this place that I had read about before.

The Arlington Hotel in Hot Springs, Arkansas, has a rich history spanning three buildings: the first wooden hotel (1875), replaced by a grand brick structure (1893), which burned down (1923), leading to the current hotel opening in 1924. It became a landmark for luxury, hosting figures like Al Capone, Babe Ruth, and presidents, while preserving its historic thermal springs heritage within Hot Springs National Park. This place still offers modern luxury while preserving its storied past and is a significant part of the area's famous Bathhouse Row.

At check-in, I received physical door keys instead of electronic key cards. The place was huge. It is very classic and old, but also smelly and dirty. I think it might be time for this place to go down 😊After getting some rest and getting comfortable in my room for a bit, I decided to go for some food at Ohio Club, which is another historic place there.

The Ohio Club in Hot Springs, Arkansas, established in 1905 at 336 Central Avenue, is the state's oldest continuously operating bar and a renowned historic landmark. Originally a bar and casino, it served as a popular hangout for famous gangsters like Al Capone, Bugsy Siegel, and Lucky Luciano, as well as celebrities including Babe Ruth. I enjoyed my time there and then went for a couple of miles walk, enjoying Christmas lights and the vibes of this lovely place.

Next day — Dec 24th

I woke around 8 am and was still feeling very sick. After looking up different bathhouse options, I decided to use the one at Arlington, and it was actually great. The place was very old and classic, but the person who helped me was very nice and made my experience very special. There were three stages of the bath: 20 minutes in mineral water in the tub, with the option of drinking it, which was very helpful for my throat, 20 minutes in the wood sauna, and 20 minutes being wrapped in soaked hot towels, which was the best part. This was my first time experiencing something like this. By the time I was done, I could not feel my body.

After taking a few more miles walk in this lovely town/small city, it was time to leave. I had not eaten anything except throat relief medicine.

I had to leave by 10 am since I had an appointment to change my car’s oil in the city of Little Rock. I had already made an appointment, and I am glad they were open since it was Christmas Eve. By 1 p.m., I left Little Rock toward Jackson, Mississippi, and the drive was about 4 hours.

One of the iconic drive scenes, while still in Arkansas, was Lake Chicot.

Lake Chicot is the largest oxbow lake in North America and the largest natural lake in Arkansas. Located in Chicot County near Lake Village, this 5,300-acre body of water was formed approximately 600 years ago when the Mississippi River changed its course. An oxbow lake is a crescent-shaped body of water formed when a wide river meander is cut off, typically during flooding.

I arrived in Mississippi around 3:33 pm, and while driving through rural areas, the most noticeable things were farmland such as cotton and soybeans, as well as poverty in small towns, many abandoned buildings, and dying towns. This area of the country felt removed from the modern pace, lacking basic infrastructure like proper road lanes.

I arrived in Jackson, Mississippi, at Days Inn by Wyndham Jackson Downtown around 6 pm.

The hotel was nice; however, I did not like the smell of the air fresheners. After settling in, I needed food and decided to go to Johnny T's Bistro & Blues. While driving through town, I was mind-blown by the level of neglected infrastructure. This was the first time in the U.S. I had seen something like that.

After I arrived at the restaurant, security would not let me take my hat with me 😊 But the restaurant was nice, and I am glad it was open since it was Christmas Eve; however, the food was very pricey. While eating, I got curious and searched about the city. Apparently, Jackson, Mississippi, has consistently ranked among the cities with the highest homicide rate per capita in the United States in recent years. Although the city has seen a downward trend since its peak in 2021, its violent crime levels remain very high relative to its population. Good to know 😊

I left the restaurant, and while driving back to my hotel, which was only about 5 minutes — I saw at least 3 stray dogs wandering around.

Johnny T's Bistro & Blues Bar

Next day — Dec 25th, 2025

I checked out and headed to the Capitol building, walked around, and took some photos. The town was a ghost town. I understand it was Christmas Day, but I did not see anyone except some people in a nearby church. This place felt abandoned. I have never seen something like that.

I left Jackson at 10:15 am toward New Orleans, Louisiana, with the drive being almost 3 hours.

I arrived at 1 pm and walked in the lovely French Quarter, which is the city’s historic heart, famous for its vibrant nightlife and colorful buildings with cast-iron balconies. Crowd-pleasing Bourbon Street features jazz clubs, Cajun eateries, and loud bars serving strong cocktails. Quieter streets lead to the French Market, with gourmet food and local crafts, and to Jackson Square, where street performers entertain in front of the soaring St. Louis Cathedral. Lunch was at Lebanon Grill.

I was so amazed by the beauty of this place. I did not know such a place existed in the U.S. It reminded me of The Hague in the Netherlands. Live performances, Middle Eastern-type bazaar vibes, so much art, including murals everywhere, and the amazing structure of the old-style buildings with lovely decorations everywhere, and friendly people.

I wanted to visit the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, but it was closed due to Christmas. After walking for almost 5 miles, it was time to drive to Gulf Shores, and the drive was almost 3 hours. I entered Alabama at 4:30 pm and passed through the following towns:

Mobile, Alabama
Loxley
Robertsdale
Summerdale
Foley

I arrived at Best Western on the Beach in Gulf Shores around 6 pm. It was dark and foggy, ocean vibes. After taking a shower and settling in, I went to Ice House Taproom for a drink and some food. Most places were closed due to the holiday, but I was glad this place was open.

Dec 26th, 2025 —Perfect Weather - Summer Vibes 

I woke up before sunrise. The balcony of my hotel room faced the beach, the ocean, and the sunrise. I set my phone to take a time-lapse of the sunrise and enjoyed the amazing breeze. Later, went for a walk for a few miles across the beach. This part of the country is exceptionally beautiful. I did not want to leave, but I had to.

I checked out from the hotel around 10 am, went for breakfast at a nearby Waffle House, and then it was time to drive to Fort Morgan, which is why I came here. It was to visit Fort Morgan based on my map plan.

I enjoyed the 30-minute drive across the coast on Fort Morgan Road, seeing all the coastal houses that are built above the ground due to ocean waves and flooding risks.

I arrived at Fort Morgan around 11 am. The park entry was $8. I had marked this place on my map when I was watching a documentary a few years ago.

Fort Morgan State Historic Site in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is a 19th-century masonry fort guarding Mobile Bay, famous for its role in the Civil War’s Battle of Mobile Bay, but also active in the Spanish-American War and both World Wars. This National Historic Landmark offers museum exhibits, concrete artillery batteries, tunnels to explore, a gift shop, and pet-friendly beach access, detailing American military history from 1814 to 1945.

I took countless photos and really enjoyed my time here. Absolutely worth visiting this place. I left the park around noon and drove toward Rosemary Beach, across the coast. I had not decided where to stay for the night yet; my goal was to drive east toward Florida.

I arrived at Rosemary Beach around 3 pm and took a walk around. While having a drink at Beachside Burger Company, I was looking for places to stay. Staying at Rosemary Beach was not an option due to its being so expensive.

Apparently, this place is exceptionally expensive due to its prime location on Florida's 30A, severely limited supply of homes, and high-end, pedestrian-friendly, European-inspired design. It is a premier, exclusive, high-income “Hamptons of the South” community where strict architectural and design guidelines limit development. Rosemary Beach is a well-known exclusive vacation spot frequently visited by celebrities, musicians, and wealthy visitors.

I decided to drive to Panama City and found a place that was suitable for my budget, Bikini Beach Resort, in Panama City Beach. After checking in, I went for a walk along the beach and enjoyed the sunset very much, a lifetime experience. As a sunset lover.

For dinner, I went to Runaway Island. They were about to close, but I had some soup, which was very much needed. Before heading to my hotel room, I stopped by Liq Bar for a few drinks and great music.

Next day — Dec 27th, 2025

I woke up with the sunrise again, but it was cloudy today. I walked a few miles along the beach and then drove toward Everglades National Park, 8 hours and 38-minute drive.

Something I have been listening to during my drives on this trip is The Moth. The Moth is a globally renowned nonprofit organization dedicated to the art and craft of storytelling. Since its founding in 1997, it has shared over 65,000 true personal stories told live and without notes.

I have listened to countless stories. Some give me chills, some make me cry, some make me happy, and others give me uncomfortable feelings. I felt all sorts of emotions while listening to these stories, and I felt like I knew all these people and connected with them. Very, very powerful stories.

I have listened to The Moth in the past, but nothing like this trip. The Moth is the best thing I have ever listened to thus far in my life.

The drive was through Tallahassee, Florida, Gainesville, Tampa, and St. Petersburg.

By 6:51 pm, I was at RaceTrac in North Fort Myers (16900 N Cleveland Ave, North Fort Myers, FL 33903). I was very tired. I took a long break, had some food and snacks, my first real bites of the day.

I looked up places and decided to stay at Homewood Suites by Hilton Fort Myers. Super nice place, with a very good price. After settling in, I wanted to go out for a drink somewhere I did not have to drive. I looked up places nearby and found “Kava Nirvana Kava Bar.”

Being ignorant, I went there and asked for a beer. The bartender was kind enough to explain to me that this is not an alcohol bar. She explained a lot about kava vs kratom and gave me time to look it up and decide if I wanted to drink it or not.

Finally, I decided to go with a kava drink. It felt like soil in water, at least to me 😊 But I really enjoyed my time at this place, lovely people, great atmosphere, and great music.

The end — next to Everglades National Park.