This is my last post about our week in Louisiana.
Last week, my mom and I did something we use to do so often when I was a child. One of our favorite things to do - especially during hunting season when the men (my grandfather and uncles) and my older brothers spent their weekends away at the camp hunting - was to load up the car with my aunts, grandmother, and cousins. This was all, of course, before car seat laws. My goodness, I remember it so vividly - the feeling of squashed hips and legs, an ice chest of deviled eggs and sandwiches, and the excitement and anticipation of where our journey would land us.
Even as a young child, I loved to travel. It didn't matter where I was going. I was just interested in going and seeing. Since I grew up in a single parent home, we couldn't afford long road trips or beach vacations. But we did do a lot sightseeing within my home state of Louisiana.
I remember one of my favorite little towns was St. Francisville. To get there, we had to take the ferry across the mighty Mississippi, which was, without a doubt, an added bonus. I remember St. Francisville as being a picturesque little town, full of lush green hills, historical antebellum homes, and antique stores. What I loved as a young girl, is what I love still. (It's so funny to think about how much I still resemble the little girl I once was so long ago).
Last week, I asked my mom if she would want to visit St. Francisville again. Neither one of us had been there in what must be 20 years. Was my memory accurate? Would I still find it just as quaint and charming? Would I find myself wanting to wander around, taking in the architecture of centries old southern homes, and lush sub-tropical gardens.
Mom was happy to make the drive with Bea and I. Though the ferry crossing the river has been replaced with a state of the art bridge, the town was just as I remembered it. Sweet as can be. I wish we could have spent more time there. As much as I like exploring off the beaten path, my little two year old can only take so much.
We managed to take a nature walk through the Audubon State Historic Site.
We strolled through the gardens and outbuildings of the Oakley House, a plantation that dates back to 1806.
We did a tiny bit of walking through the historical district, though I could've done so much more if given the opportunity.
It felt really, really good to be in the presence of such a photogenic little town. I can't wait to return!
my favorite portraits of my children were taken at oakley house. we love st. francisville! we drove the new bridge when we were up there picking blueberries just to check it out - so fancy schmancy ;-)
Posted by: amanda {the habit of being} | July 15, 2011 at 01:17 PM
i had a pretty good hunch you would also know what was up when it came to St. Francisville. ;)
our world continues to shrink.
Posted by: Nichole | July 15, 2011 at 02:43 PM
Gorgeous..... added to the "to see" list of things :)
Posted by: Stephinie | July 15, 2011 at 10:06 PM
Good!! I think you'll love it. It's a little town that always felt so different to me from the rest of the area.
Also, there's some good hiking to do in nearby St. Francisville. (Tunica Hills). There's a waterfall there (gasp). :) I haven't been since I was in high school.
And at certain times of the year, when the road is open, you can venture to Cat Island and see the largest tree (cypress) this side of the Mississippi. The road was closed when we went last week.
Posted by: Nichole | July 16, 2011 at 07:34 AM