We started off at the Freret Street Po-boy and Donut shop for breakfast since Bob needs food in his stomach to take his now plentiful drug regime. Two eggs (any style), 2 bacon strips, grits and a biscuit for $4.99. And it was pretty darn good.
Off we went to plantation land to satisfy Carolyn's wish and to keep some pressure off of Bob. 80's with a chance of showers but the day turned out pretty dry for us.
Houmas House was one of the tours that I took last year on the way to Florida and out of the 4 tours that I've taken over the years, it was by far the most through and "hands on".
The Houmas Indians used to inhabit the area but sold the land. All 10,000+ acres was purchased for $150 of goods. (Remind anyone in Westcliffe of certain land deals??) It changed hands several times and ended up under the ownership of one John Burnside from Ireland during the Civil War. Evidently when the Yankees came marauding thru, Mr. Burnside declared he was a citizen of Great Britain and had no dog in the fight. The Yankees bought it and didn't destroy his property.
Here's a shot of the entry gardens.
Looking at the front of the house thru the Louisiana live oaks.
A Venus Fly Trap in the garden.
Even after a big breakfast, Bob looks pretty thin next to this big honkin tree.
The Reeds and Houmas House.
The house has been used in several movies, most notable "Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte". Bette Davis stayed in the house during the entire filming and this is her room.
Notable works of art in the house include this clock, owned by both Marie Antoinette and Napoleon.
It doesn't work but we were informed that if it were fixed it would ruin the value of it.
There's also a solid silver sculpture of Abraham Lincoln done by the Mount Rushmore sculptor Gutzon Borglum. Solid Silver. One of seven in the world.
A tour of the rest of the gardens.
Then off a very busy Oak Alley Plantation for a few pictures but no tour.
Now the circumstances are open to debate as to how Carolyn got 12000 steps in at Oak Alley, but suffice it to say dear readers, you can trust my version of the events.
Since we had decided not to spend another $25 each to do the tour, I told Carolyn that she could just walk around the house and take her pictures of the "Oak Alley" and Bob and I would visit the gift shop. So take a left at the circle and go towards the house.
Well Bob had seen a sign that said "No entry without a ticket" He didn't read the rest of the sign "For the House Tour and Historic Gardens Tour". So here suddenly is Carolyn and I asked if she'd decided not to go because she didn't have a ticket. She said no, so off she goes.
But she didn't know where to go. So she calls Bob and says (I can't vouch cause I didn't hear) I don't know where things are. Here AJ Carolyn doesn't know where to go. Well I can see Carolyn standing over by the entrance so I say go to the circle turn left and go around the house. (I did not ask her what she was looking for, duh on my part).
ANYWAY, Carolyn informed us when we finally met up and she'd gotten her pictures, that she'd done 12000 steps.
So I know you're saying how very interesting, why's he telling us this. Good question. I'm asking myself the same question as I ramble on about this. Blah, Blah, Blah,. Enough already.
Oak Alley Plantation.
Off to a late lunch at the world famous B& C Seafood. (There were a bunch of French students there today so it's fame must have gone international.)
Carolyn had Jambalaya with white beans and Fried Catfish. Bob and I opted for the Red Beans and Rice with Smoked Sausage. It was a light lunch.
Back to NOLA for a rest and light dinner plans. We stopped at Cure for a before dinner cocktail and Carolyn couldn't resist the Fried Green Tomato Caprese (it was delicious)
Sushi for dinner at a very good Origami Sushi House. Way too much food. Both Carolyn and I brought home a Spider Roll that was so huge it was the size of Bob's implanted pacemaker.
HUGE!!!
Its 9:29, the Reeds have been in bed for 20 minutes. I'm tired and still full.
My friend Kathy arrives tomorrow from Denver to take over the house guest role and we've got a nice welcome and farewell dinner planned at the Upperline restaurant.
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
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