Oak Alley Plantation

A couple of weeks ago we visited Oak Alley Plantation.  It is located south of Baton Rouge about 40 minutes on the west side of the Mississippi.  It is most beautiful!  We got there about 10 in the morning and again discovered that the battery in the camera was kaput!  I couldn't believe it....so we asked the nice lady in the welcome shack if she would plug it in for us and we would be back in an hour.  So, from the time we left there to the time we returned for the battery it rained pretty hard and I found this pretty flower.  It was a very hot day and the rain cooled it off some.  Problem is, that the sun returns and the humidity sucks the life out of you.  Anyway, pretty flower....I think I'm getting better at this.

Welcome to Oak Alley Plantation.  High school girls dress the part and work here as a summer job.

The house faces the Mississippi River so this picture is looking back at the house from the river.  The oak trees are estimated at 400 years old.  The trees were planted first and the house was built later to accommodate the trees. It is a beautiful house built by a French family about 20 years before the civil war.

A little closer.

Looking from the balcony of the house toward the river.  When this was an actual operating plantation in the 1800's, before the levee was built, they say you could sit on the balcony of the house and watch the river traffic pass by.  The levee now is that little green patch in the middle of the picture which blocks view of the river.

The trees are extraordinary..... and fascinating. 

A little perspective on how huge they really are.  They sweep so beautifully to the ground.

Supports are under some of the limbs.

Our genteel hostesses. Cute southern girls and a beautiful entry way into the house.

A look at the slave cabins. 

The slaves were never idol.  

Names of the enslaved on Oak Alley Plantation.

Now, you might say, "Why support monetarily something that has such a painful history and past?...that was immoral in every way?" I personally look at this house and it's surroundings and places like it, as a piece of history, a museum.  I have learned so much in the time we have been here.  I will always treasure this time that we have spent in Louisiana.  It has been an education!

Sugar cane.  

June 'go homes' getting ready for 'the' picture.

'The' picture.  Again, it is very hot and they are getting impatient with me for taking so long.  :)  They are smiling, but between their teeth they are saying "HURRY UP"! A sweet group!

Nick and Jan and fam came to pay us a call.  It was so fun to spend some time with them.  We had a great weekend together.  We love you guys!

Love, Carol