Friday, April 8

We had quite the adventure today.  This bus trip is another of Renie's bucket list ventures.  Of course mine to now that I know about it.  We were off at dark thirty to Oak Alley Plantation, located about 90 miles from New Orleans.  It was established/built by a pretty wealthy owner in the 1837. It took 2 years to build, measured over 11000 sq ft.    He had bought into over a 100 slaves, gave them a job to build this house.  He also gave them almost freedom by giving them bank accounts, credit, and bank money. But of course, they were not free.  He built this house on large acreage sugar cane property.  Not sure if it was called a farm or ranch. The house property covered 25 acres.  Full size oak trees numbering 28.   The trees are 200 years old.  Not sure I can fathom how these were transported and planted.  His net worth was about 37 million when he died.  He dies young of gout.  He young wife was uneducated, except for the position of being a plantation host and entertainer.  It took a few years to her to spend all the money and they finally lost the house.  A new owner bought the house, moved in and kept most of the house as it.  It was finally supported by a New Orleans Plantation fund and is maintained now by that society. The tour took all day. We learned more about the floods on this trip.  

One food we had yet to try was New Orleans Jambalaya.  We tried Felix's in the city.  We ordered drinks, and then dinner.  They were out of Jambalaya.  How can that be?  And I wanted a Hurricane.  Not.  We should have left.  So, on the way home, I remembered that there was a bar at the RV camp.  Sure enough, they mixed me one.  Not bad. 

Here are some pictures.  

Mississippi: