For our day in New Orleans, I- typically- took charge and dragged everyone on history/ architecture/ art related journeys. In this case, I had a burning urge to visit Oak Alley Plantation. Sadly, a general rebellion ensued amongst the other travelers who did not wish to spend 3 hours in the car to get there.

Our only internet access was via my Kindle, which suggested the names and addresses of several other plantations that were close by.

Here is the gorgeous Magnolia Plantation:

Magnolia Lane was also charming

as was the historical marker for the Derbingy Plantation, which – along with the adjacent oil refinery- was not open to the public. (The house itself was invisible behind dense trees)

Not to be discouraged, we toured the Garden District, including Anne Rice’s old house on First Street. I’ve been re-reading The Witching Hour in the car, so I was pretty stoked about that.

Then we went antiquing uptown along Magazine St and in the French Quarter before dressing for a Sazerac- a liquorice flavored drink Julia claimed is the official one of New Orleans-

and dinner at Arnaud’s, at which Julia basically stole my Creme Brulee.

Much satisfied by all the pleasures the Big Easy had to offer, we retired early for the next day’s 13 hour drive to my parents’ house in Norman, Oklahoma.