He’s flying solo these days following his split with longtime girlfriend Nina Dobrev, and Ian Somerhalder is taking advantage of his free time to reconnect with family.

Ian Somerhalder showed up in New Orleans yesterday (May 13) with his father Robert Somerhalder at a gas station.

As it turns out, Ian has been investing his celebrity-sized paychecks in several businesses including a pizzeria, a woodworking shop, and a few plots of land for future endeavors.

Over the weekend, Ian was in Brussels doing some promotional duties for an eco-friendly business he supports. Somerhalder told press, “I’m in love with the Cree Bulb and am so grateful for Cree’s genius.”