[ WP ] Global warming was a real issue , and by the year 2300 , sea levels had risen over 60 feet . It is now the year 2600 , and global cooling has taken place and sea levels have returned back to previous levels . People set out to explore the land humanity once ruled .

Lillian walked amongst the ruins of Old New Orleans, her mouth agape in wonder and excitement. At low tide, one could easily walk through the streets without worrying about getting wet. Good, waterproof boots were still necessary to help with tidal pools, and to ward off the occasional crab, but it was still exciting. 
 
 The buildings were still mostly intact, though heavily weathered from the tide, coral growth, and just generally being a home for fish for the last 600 years. If any of the original decorations or interiors still existed, they were all buried under massive amounts of sediment and wildlife. Lillian was beside herself with excitement. 
 
 “ This is the birthplace of Jazz! ” she said as she spun around what looked like an old lamppost. She hummed an old tune quietly to herself as she skipped through the streets. 
 
 Hank, meanwhile, was less than impressed. It was cold, it was wet, and he would rather be home. “ The birthplace of debauchery more like, ” he said, louder than he meant to. 
 
 Lillian spun around, the flash of anger visible before it quickly subsided, “ Oh don ’ t be a spoil sport, Hank. It ’ s like exploring a lost culture! ” 
 
 “ Except it ’ s not a ‘ lost culture, ’ ” he said, making the air quotes with his fingers. “ We ’ ve seen the recordings, listened to the audio recordings; hell, there are hundreds of books just on the topic. New Orleans is just another lost city, nothing special. ” 
 
 Lillian frowned, “ Not with that attitude, ” and she wandered off into the buildings. 
 
 Hank sighed, kicked at a large pile of algae, and followed his sister. His father had given him the hover-car for the day, and it was only 11:00. Next, he was sure, she would want to visit Charleston, or Miami, or some other such ‘ lost city. ’ 
 
 Looking around, he saw other couples roaming the streets, taking in the sights. Some brought cameras, other had tourist brochures you could get at the main office, and many of them looked like him and Lillian. One was bored, while the other was beside themselves with excitement. 
 
 One such man caught Hank ’ s eye as he looked around, and so he gave him a sympathetic wave. The man smiled, waved back, then pointed at his wife and rolled his eyes. Hank pointed towards his sister and did the same. They shared a quiet laugh before both returning to their sullen states and chasing after their partners. It was going to be a long day.
