Bobby Hicks takes the Ultimate Fall Road Trip

New Orleans has always been one of my favorite cities. The energy, the sense of magic and the pace of it all gives me a reason to smile, simply thinking about it.

The world is full of wonderful people and places, but it’s difficult to imagine a world without The Big Easy. Around every corner, you have a musician playing from his or her heart. You see a beer in every hand and a smile crooked on dozens of faces. You have the beauty of Mississippi River running along Decatur St, and the aftermath of weekend nights sticking to the floor of Bourbon St. It really is a surreal utopia.

When I found out that NOLA was to be on the Jägermeister/Time Out New York tour, I knew I was in for a treat. But it only made sense that the most magical of all the cities on this trip should finish it off.

Entering Las Vegas is always a surreal thing to me. I’ve never been particularly drawn to the night life of most cities. I guess I’ve just never been drawn to gambling and the various casino gaming because I never knew how to play these games. Growing up, I never learned how to play card games, but I’d love learning how to shuffle. So, it was always the abstract aspects of casinos that I enjoyed, which made it difficult for me to hang out with friends that did gamble. Nobody wants to actually teach someone how to play a game, and I didn’t care to learn. The architecture, the lights and the buffets were my entertainment in cities like Vegas—I really love a good buffet.

But entering Vegas with Darrell was a blast. It was great to get around and hang with someone that had the same interests at heart, like getting a shot of some of the amazing hotel designs, or eating some awesome food. Darrell, being an avid beer enthusiast, was in his element with some of the craft beer bars around the city.

La,
You’ll always have a special place in my heart.

I had such a great time, these past couple days. Right from the word “Go!” I was welcomed by the warm heat of the California sun and the readily available yumminess from In N Out burgers—the struggle is real, guys.

Every time I’m here, I always find new bouts of adventure looming the streets. It tends to follow me around the way rain does in the driest cities (You’re welcome for that little sprinkle tonight, LA). Upon leaving Seattle, I came to find that my phone wasn’t working. The hiking for nearly six hours in the rain had this tendency to break it. So, about a couple miles away from the Grafton On Sunset, where I was staying, I found there was my phone store! Now, living in Brooklyn, I like to walk. Take that and move it into the insane heat LA had and I was begging for a car. So, as soon as the guy at the store fixed my phone, it was Über after Über for me.

I managed to do quite a bit of exploring around Mulholland Drive, LACMA, the strip on Sunset Blvd and West Hollywood, looking for the best places for photos, video and food. But I will say, I’m heartbroken for not getting to a Lemonade this time around.

Today marks the beginning of an adventure to end all other adventures! Right now I’m landing in Chicago’s O’Hare airport, readying myself for the next stop on my Jägermeister/Time Out New York Road Trip. When this opportunity was pitched to me, I was beyond excited. To get the chance to travel around the United States and explore, photograph, and meet people is something I’ve always wanted to do—and patience has been a virtue. On the trip with me is my buddy, James—one of my Brooklyn buddies that I shoot photos with. When I found out he’d get to come with me, I was through the roof excited. To have a talented and driven photographer for a friend, you’ll be sure to see interesting photos and exciting locations.

The first stop on this tour was none other than my own stomping ground: Brooklyn. To showcase some of the best areas to visit, I went to Coney Island and Williamsburg. Each different enough in their own ways, but both having such a vivid and captivating atmosphere.