As far as ultimate design junkie road trips go, Detroit to New Orleans isn’t the most predictable corridor, but we’re firm believers in seeking out authenticity and good design in unexpected places. From one great American city to another—and all the spots in between—designtripper hits the road (in a brand-new Lincoln MKX!). With stops in Cincinnati, Louisville, Nashville, and Greensboro, Alabama, we’re ready to explore some of the country’s most storied cities.

This afternoon–so long as the two toddlers strapped into the backseat cooperate–we’ll make an afternoon pitstop in Cincinnati to gawk at some cutting-edge architecture and tour an old brush factory that’s now a modern-day fashion and design studio before pulling into Louisville for the night. As for the rest of our itinerary, you’ll have to check back to see what we’re up to. We’ll be posting every day for two weeks, chronicling the most interesting stories, spaces and places along the way.

For more photos from the road, go to the Lincoln-Designtripper site!

[Disclaimer: Ford Motor Company is the paying sponsor of designtripper’s road trip to New Orleans, which also included a Lincoln MKX for the duration of the trip.]