Louisiana

Treasures of Central and Northern Louisiana

4/28/2009
Donald Anthony

North Louisiana has treasures to share, just get off the highway and look around.

The flight from New York was easier than I expected and might have been somewhat cheaper if I had left out of Newark. I took a two-step process that had a short wait in Atlanta before landing at the Monroe Airport, where I started a quick paced and well designed tour of central and northern Louisiana.

Vacherie, Louisiana

3/13/2004
Janet Pope
The steamboat pulls to the side of the river to deposit passengers on a both a plantation tour and a swamp tour. Bring your overcoat and watch out for alligators.

Day 2 - Vacherie Louisiana

The Grand American Queen gives a variety of breakfast options, but we chose a quick buffet in the dining room, since we were booked on an early morning tour. We landed in Vacherie, Louisiana literally at the foot of Oak Alley Plantation.

Remember, the Mississippi River is the main "highway" through this area so the plantations take advantage of the view and the river access. Since the days of the plantation era, a levee or beam-like structure of almost 20 to 30 feet at this site protects the property along the shore from high waters and storms.

St. Francisville, Louisiana

3/13/2004
Janet Pope
Today they learn about the benefits of this cruise, more food, exploration of the boat and a little bit of history. The day is a stew of experience and they got stuffed!

Day 3 - St. Francisville

Don approached each meal on the boat with eager anticipation; I approached each meal as if I was being tortured into eating more. Of course, no one was twisting my arm, but the temptation was too great and I always succumbed. I walked into the dining room saying "I'm still stuffed" and "I'll just pick," but that didn't seem to happen.

Breakfast was no exception. This morning I said I would eat light, but the maple French toast and fresh sliced ham called to me.

After yet another meal, Don sat on the deck to watch them try to pull into St.

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

3/13/2004
Janet Pope
A walk through Baton Rouge with a guide re-enactor to enjoy Cajun history and song in a very personal way. Today is the day full day on board the stream boat. Don stayed up almost all night to make the trip last.

Day 6 - Baton Rouge

Rise and shine, today we docked very early in Baton Rouge and by sunrise I could already hear the hustle of activity of those eager to start the day in a new town.

We enjoyed breakfast right on the porch and watched as the deck hands maneuvered the steamboat into the dock and securely attached the gangplank.

It was a beautiful February day in Baton Rouge, with temperature high in the 60s. We signed up for a walking tour in hopes of melting some of those unwanted pounds we had gained all week.

Mardi Gras, New Orleans

3/13/2004
Janet Pope
Now they did it! They are in the soup. Swirling humanity, unrepentant fun, food to make the taste buds dance and the spirit soar. Don't sleep, don't stop walking, stay up all night. Welcome to the mother of all parties...and the kids too!

Our cruise on the American Queen landed in New Orleans early in the morning and the boat pre-arranged a bus tour of the city, for which most of the passengers signed up. I think that no one wanted the cruise or the fun to end. Anyway, the boat took care of our luggage and it was waiting for us at The Fairmont Hotel when we arrived for the evening (great service right until the very end). Our tour guide, Chris, was a great host, complete with an authentic accent and a repertoire of stories and history of New Orleans.

Baton Rouge

8/31/2002
Dominick A. Miserandino
Cajun food, Cajun dancing, and a little bit of Huey Long thrown in for spice.

The boat pulled up the night before at 11pm, and we were going to sneak off the boat to go to the local casino, but Margherita fell asleep, and we forgot to set the alarm. We woke up at 1:30am and felt a bit too tired to get up and regrettably missed it. If we had to do it again, we'd stay up to see when we pulled up to Baton Rouge to go to one of the local riverboat casinos at night.

Anyway, the next day started early at 8am.

Oak Alley

8/30/2002
Dominick A. Miserandino
The most beautiful walkway of trees leading up to a historic house. Also, a different plantation in Laura Plantation.

Today, the Delta Queen was due to pull up to Oak Alley. If you noticed, I didn't say a town name. While yes, it does pull up to a location in a township where there is no town at all, the downside of this is you're forced to either tour the plantation, or stay on the boat as there is nothing else around. The plus side is the tours don't cost that much at all.

Oak Alley is the name of a plantation with a walkway surrounded by live oak trees.

New Orleans

8/26/2002
Dominick A. Miserandino
Unfortunately, New Orleans' reputation seems to be exclusively based on the mysteries and debauchery of Mardi Gras.

Unfortunately, New Orleans' reputation seems to be exclusively based on the mysteries and debauchery of Mardi Gras. If you ask most people about the city, they know little about the climate, history, or any other aspects, but have heard that you should go to Bourbon Street with a handful of beads. What they also fail to tell you is about the humidity.

Once you step off the plane in New Orleans, you know you're in New Orleans. The humidity hits you like a wall. A wall of humidity ... okay, that's not descriptive enough.

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