DAY114, 115- Atlanta, GA….

I’m watching the Sunday morning news as I write this.  Yes, I’m a bit behind on the blogging 4 days to be exact.  I’m watching the news about the tragedy in Connecticut.  I see these photos across the TV of young lives taken SO early in life; too early.  My heart goes out to those parents and that community.  I can’t help but wonder what’s going on with our country.  A mall shooting in a Portland Mall, a shooting in an elementary school in Connecticut , and I just heard on the news of another man firing outside of an outdoor mall in Newport, CA(thankfully no one hurt) but it saddens me that places that should be safe are for us to go are not really safe anymore.  Something needs to be done but what; I’m unsure.  I just pray that something positive comes out of it.

DAY 114, 115 –

Well, here are the high lights from my two days in Atlanta, GA…


Photo- The low profile front of the Jimmy Carter Presidential Center.

The Jimmy Carter Museum and Library with the Carter Center…This was within a four block walk of my hotel room; I walked over on a bike/walk path near it to the complex.  It was a low profile type of place with a landscaped stairs leading down to a door area with a reflection pond in front of the doors.  It was understated and humble.  I walked in and went to the gift shop to purchase a ticket.  Unlike the Ronald Regan Library that I was at earlier on my trip; the Carter Complex didn’t check your bags and you didn’t have to pre-purchase your tickets with times.  This was much more laid back atmosphere.  It was also a bit smaller than the Regan Library too; but then, there wasn’t an Air Force One retired in the building either. 

It all started with a 10 minute movie about Jimmy Carter that kind of just hit the highlights of his career and then went on to show what he did after he left the presidency.  It showed him accepting the Noble Peace Prize.  From there you went through to a hallway like area where you went through his life as he grew and came into politics.  It was very interesting watching the films that they had of his speeches and others in his life talking about parts of his life that they were involved with.  The most interesting part for me was reading and watching film of the time frame when his family and friends were helping him to campaign for the presidency.  It had never really been done like that before and it was ground breaking.  Now it has become standard political fare for almost every politician. 

Photos- A interesting piece of Presidential artwork done.  Look at the close up below...

The museum showed what the oval office looked like when he was there.  There was also a section that showed an average working day was like when he was president.  He started early and didn’t stop until late in the night.  He has an amazing work ethic and it just amazes me on how much he has done in his life to affect the world.  The last third of the museum shows the what, how, and why of the Carter Center which is a wonderful place where they are trying to eradicate diseases, promote democracy through fair voting practices, and enabling people equal rights to fundamentals such as access to clean water, food, and to homes.  It’s wonderful to know that there are people out there doing these things.

Photo- Yummy! A grilled cheese and a bowl of chili!

The Majestic Diner… I visited the last one of the chain which is about 3 blocks from where I was staying in Atlanta, GA.  The first of this chain was started about a mile away in 1929 and they were a thriving chain of diners that offered good food that pleases.  The last one that remains was built in the early 1930’s as part of a Plaza Shopping Center some of which stands next door.  The outside of it almost looks like an old theater marquee with rows of lights and the neon like signs announcing its presence to the street.  I had a wonderful bowl of chili with a kick and a grilled cheese on marbled rye.  It was comfort food at its best and rather a treat to sit in a booth behind a row of chairs along a counter area.  I could just imagine people in years past coming in for lunch or a cup of coffee and sitting here just like me watching the traffic go by on the street outside while enjoying the food.  It just has such a history when a place has been open that long.  Now I will say that it has been refurbished but it has the same layout as when it originally opened up in the 1930’s.

Photo- The Majestic from outside.

The Home of the Braves… Turner Field…  This was one thing I was REALLY looking forward.  I grew up watching the Braves games on TBS and I guess you could say I ended up being a fan of them by default.  You see there really are not any major baseball teams in Iowa when I was growing up.  Chicago was as close as you would get but it was much easier watching the Braves games on TBS.  At least it was until; Turner Broadcast took the Braves games off the air in 1996.  After that you had to settle for checking the scores in the newspaper or on-line.  I took a tour of the stadium; they give tours year round. 

Photo- I'm just behind home plate at Turner Field.

We started by going to the top of the stadium to the Sky Field Area where you could look over the field but you could also overlook the city skyline of Atlanta; along overlook the parking lot area where the old stadium used to be.  This stadium was opened up in the 1997 season.  It was a wonderful view of the city and I bet that on a clear Summer evening game it would be a beautiful scene of lights of Atlanta.  The Sky Field Area is open to any ticket holder but it is a standing only area.

We worked our way down into the “club” level of the stadium.  This is where the season ticket holders would be and they would have to show their ticket to get into the air-conditioned level; otherwise you would have to make do with a trip to the water misters on the Sky Filed area.  We went into a private box and saw what they looked like; couches, chairs, bar areas with serving food areas.  All of the food allowed into this area had to be catered through the Aramark Company that handles all of the food in the stadium.

Next, we went into the press boxes and got to see where they worked during a game.  The live organists, which Turner Field is one of few that has one, is placed among the press box area where the writers are.  The score keeper is also in there too.  Then, we went into the locker room area where the players had their gear.  It was roped off because some of the players keep their gear there year round; but that was neat to take a peek.  

Our tour guide took us to what I would refer to as the “high rollers” lounge.  It was a nice restaurant area with tables and chairs.  These “high rollers” got whatever food they wanted and even got it served to their cushioned seats which just happened to be right behind home plate.  In fact, the only other people that had a better view of the action at home plate would be the umpire and the catcher.  These seats were about 10 to 15ft. away from the action and I guess there was a waiting list for them but at $20,000 per seat per season that’s too rich for my blood.  Oh, and they require it to be a set of two at minimum.  From there we walked over to the dug out for a quick look around.  Then, it was up through the stands to the baseball museum which was where we started from.  I noticed on the way up that all of the seats are angled to home plate and our tour guide said that was how this stadium was designed.  I thought that was cool. 

I then took the time to go through the baseball museum which is very impressive.  There is even a copy of a contract signed by Babe Ruth who ended his career with this ball club.  It was interesting going through the museum and seeing how the game has changed over the years.

The High Museum of Art…  This museum is in the heart of the east side of the downtown area but it is a gem.  But what I was even more fascinated with was the amazing building.  It was a series of open areas with walk ways and had a large open atrium that went from the top to the ground floor.  The ceiling on the upper floor was like a series of fluted skylights.  I started with the top floor after paying the $19 entrance fee which I thought was high.  The current exhibition on the top floor is called “Fast Forward: Modern Moments- 1913 to 2013” and featured 100 years of modern artworks.  There were originals from Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dali, Rothko, Lichtenstein, and Jeff Coons.  The show took the artworks by sections of time frames and it was very interesting looking at what was going on politically while they were doing their art.  It was an interesting perspective. 

Photo- The outside of the High Museum of Art in Atlanta.

Next, I went through another section of the museum that featured works by Thornton Dial called “Hard Truths” this was a mixed media large paneled works with a great deal of texture and bold colors.  Some of these I liked but some of them I must admit I really hated.  But I think that’s the thing with art, it’s really very subjective.  I wandered around and around from floor to floor.  There were sculptures, paintings, and furniture all throughout.  I ended up having to pick up my pace.  I had only planned about a two hour time frame and could have used days to see everything.  I grabbed a quick bowl of soup and coffee in the downstairs café before I headed out of the place.

DAY 113- Hay, Harriet, & Molly’s…

It was still raining when I got up in Macon, GA.  I was a bit disappointed because I had hoped to visit the Ocmulgee National Monument which is a preservation of southeastern Native American culture.  I guess it has an earth lodge and burial mounds on site but with the rainy weather some of it would be closed.  I also was considering stopping by Noah’s Ark Animal Sanctuary in Locust, GA which would have been on my way to Atlanta but that was open only when weather was permitting.   Rainy weather in this case was not a good thing and I needed to find stuff I could do inside.  I got my computer on-line after grabbing breakfast and did some searching.

Photo- Hay House from the front street area.

That’s where I found a place called the Hay House.  It had some good reviews.  I googled the address for it and also got the address and directions for a Harriet Tubman Museum nearby too.  I figured between those two, I could fill a few hours before I needed to drive on to Atlanta, GA for the night.

I pulled up to the house and I have to admit that the on-line pictures didn’t do it justice.  It was a beautiful old Italian Renaissance house on a well sculptured landscaped corner lot.  I parked across the street and saw a sign that said for tours enter through the back entrance.  I walked around to the back door.  I walked in and told them I was interested in a tour.  I got a bit of a discount with my AAA and I was introduced to my lovely tour guide.  She had a good friend that moved to Utah recently and we started talking.  It was more like taking a tour with a good friend and it was rather fun; it was just myself and the tour guide.

My tour guide took me into a room in the basement where she told me the history of the Hay House.  The house was built by Mr. William Butler Johnston who was a wealthy retired man in his 40’s and his new bride in her 20’s.  They had gone on a 3 year honeymoon trip in Europe and came back to Macon inspired to build a house.   The building of the house started in 1855 and was finished up in 1859; this occurred during the Civil War.  It took a bit longer because there weren’t many craftsmen available to build houses; most of them had volunteered to go off to war.  But when it was finished it was referred to as the “Palace of the South”. 

The house passed on through to further generations of the family until it became too large and expensive to up keep.  Then, it was sold in 1926 to the wealthy Mr. Hay who was a founder of a bank and life insurance company.  In 1977, it was donated by Hay family descendants to the Georgia Trust Historic Preservation where eventually it was designated as a National Historic Landmark.   Which all I can say is that’s a very good thing because this house was amazing!

Photo- The front door area of the Hay House.

From the basement, I went out a side door and my tour guide let me in from the front door where the porch had an amazing design that I didn’t see when I went around to the back.  The front doors were 12 ft. tall and 5 inches thick carved wood.  I walked in through them and my breath was taken away!  Carved painted wood, molded plaster, faux bois (painted wood graining), and hand painted friezes, etched glass, and painted areas that looked amazingly like marble.  I was in awe!  The tour guide kind of chuckled at me but I was speechless.  It amazed me that all this high level of craftsmanship took place in a time when it was done with hand tools; I could really understand why it was called “The Palace of the South” because it was and still maybe is. 

We went from room to room; while my tour guide pointed out different aspects and nuances of the house.  There was a Christmas luncheon being served in a large downstairs room and we jumped ahead a bit to get those areas before they were filled.  She talked and showed things that were restored or made to look like the original.  She explained some of the ventilation and planning behind the house’s layout.  I got to see one of the first ever elevators that were installed into a house in the US.  Though, this one was more designed with the idea transporting kohl and ash between the floors than people. 

Then, we went upstairs and I got to see where efforts were still being made on the second for restoration.  It was a little rougher up here and simpler but even then I saw the possibilities of it all.  We went through the second floor and then down the backstairs to the basement into the kitchen area.  She showed me the speaker tubes that were used to call servants and explained how they worked.  There was a drawing and an open floor area that showed some of the heating and cooling that were used for the house.  That was the end of the tour but I ended up chatting with the tour guide for a while until another group showed up for a tour.  Unfortunately, they do not allow photography to be taken inside of the home.  However, I did take a few of the outside afterwards.

Photo- The wall murals in the first room at the Tubman African American Museum.

Next, I drove over to the Tubman African American Museum.  I paid the entrance fee and then the layout of the museum was explained to me.  This museum has been in existence since 1981 and since then it has been preserving, collecting, and exhibiting works of art and historical artifacts of the African American culture.  It is the largest museum in the southeast dedicated to African American history, art, and culture in the US.  It was named in honor of Harriet Tubman who is described as a “Black Moses” for leading slaves to freedom and serving as a Union spy, nurse, during the Civil War.

The museum starts with a room full of colorful painted wall murals which feature Africans throughout history.  Harriet Tubman is featured prominently in one of them.  As you turn the corner there’s an area dedicated to Harriet Tubman with photos, documents, newspaper articles, and even a wanted posted stating a reward for her capture during the Civil War.  Next you enter into an exhibit hall area.  At current they were exhibiting Mr. Imagination’s artwork.  He was born in Chicago under the name of Gregory Warmack and he uses cast off objects in his art.  He is best known for using bottle caps in his artwork.  I guess you could almost say he was the father of now what we call recycled art.

In the next room, the museum shows more current art African American art from local Georgia artists.  There was one piece I liked in particular called I’d Rather Two-Step Than Waltz, Step Three.  The mixed media features two figures of a young girl and boy in a dancing pose with other object surrounding them.  It was just a fascinating piece.  Then, the museum went on to show Folk Art and explained what it is and why it is important to a culture.  Next was the Inventors Gallery and had a sampling of what inventions came from the minds of African Americans.  It was amazing to see the inventions; some of which get used in our everyday life.   

Photo- The Inventors Gallery.

 

From there, I climbed upstairs to a second floor where there more African American art and a film that’s playing.  The film is based on the true life story of two slaves that escaped the Macon, GA during the Civil War.  From that area you went into a larger area that had pottery and other pieces of art on the walls.  I was amazed at how large the place was because it doesn’t appear to be that large from the outside.  I walked down the stairs and checked out the gift shop area before I left.  I found a bumper sticker and purchased it.

As I was getting ready to leave, I asked the women where a good place would be to have lunch.  She mentioned a couple of places but then said that I would probably like Molly’s on Cherry Street and gave me directions.  Molly’s on Cherry Street was a simple little place on the corner that does new specials every day.  I had the gumbo-like soup that the gal mentioned was the soup of the day.  She said it was very hearty and I will admit that it was.  I would have called it more a stew than a soup.  I had a chicken salad sandwich on a croissant with it.  This was a hearty sandwich too.  I had a mud brownie with a bit of ice-cream for dessert.  But more than the food or the place itself; it was one of those places were you were made to feel welcomed and at home.  The server and the host made you feel like part of the family and they quite often were hugging regular people as they came in through the door.  This was a very local place and one filled with all kinds of warmth.  Next with a happy tummy, I found myself on my way driving to Atlanta, GA.

DAY 112- Civil Rights and a Confederate Capital…

Early the next morning I went to downtown Montgomery to the Rosa Parks Museum that is run by Troy University.  Rosa Park has been referred to as the Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.  It was a wonderful experience visiting the museum.  I started in a room the showed a film of Montgomery now and then it showed how the city was prior to the arrest of Rosa Parks.  There were local citizens of the community that spoke on film of their memories of how it was with the Jim Crowe Laws in effect.  The film showed photos of signs of white only and black only.  Next, the doors opened up into a room where there was a old bus in the middle of it.  It was like a step into the past.  Through the windows of the bus played out the scene of Rosa Parks’ arrest.  Rosa was firm but passive during the whole event.  She maintained her dignity too.  It was fascinating to watch.

Photo- Just inside of the Rosa Parks Museum in Montgomery, AL.

Next, a set of church doors opened and I learned about what happened within the community after that.  It was very interesting to learn about the influence that Rosa Parks had on Martin Luther King too.  It was also amazing the level of planning and community involvement that it took to keep the boycott going.  There was a great deal of organizing that went into the carpooling that managed to get people to their jobs over the 13 month boycott.

Photo- The home Martin Luther King lived in Montgomery, AL
which is now a museum and was closed for the day.

Next, I found I had to laugh a bit and found it rather ironic that I ended up following a Montgomery City Bus on the way to Martin Luther King Jr’s house.  The home had been turned into a museum but had been bombed when the Kings lived there.  Well, the MLK House was closed.  Darn it!  So I just ended up driving by and taking a photo.

Photo- The front of the Alabama State Capital.

Then, I parked my car a few blocks away in front of the Alabama State Capital which happened to be the same Capital that was used by the Confederates as a base for government.  I really found it interesting that all of this history was within a few blocks.  I put money in the parking meter and then walked up the front steps of the Capital.  Meanwhile, a group of elegantly clad high school kids were coming down.  It looked like a choir with the boys in suits and the girls in long blue taffeta skirts.  I felt a bit under dressed and wondered if something special was going on in the Capital.

Photo- The foyer area just inside the front door of the Alabama State Capital.

The state capital of Alabama is like a mini replica of our nation’s capital.  It’s white with the columns down the front and a dome up top.  It’s placed on a hill that I found out was called “Goat’s Hill” which accounts for the gift shop’s name in the basement.  I took a picture of the outside.  They have a statue in the front that’s Mr. Confederate President himself, Mr. Jefferson Davis.  I’m always fascinated that they like to brag about their confederate history here in the south.  I would’ve been embarrassed to be a part of this but here they almost brag about it; which makes it even more interesting that a few blocks away is a museum dedicated to the mother of civil rights.  The south is such a quandary.

Photos- Of the rotunda of the Alabama State Capital.

I walk into the front door of the capital expecting security like most state capitals with roped off areas, a scanner and a gate that I would walk through; after I empty my pockets of change and keys.  Nope!  There’s a large Christmas tree in a foyer with stairs wrapping up on each side as I walk in.  Off to one side and back, there’s a security guard sitting at a table with an older lady at an information table.  There’s a table and detection gate way back and off to the side.  I say hi and the guard asks to check my purse and then after a bit has me walk through the gate.  It was a very laid back type of thing.  I was really surprised. 

I got a map of the capital from the lady and she asked where I was from.  She was rather proud that someone as far away as Utah wanted to see her state capital.  She asked me to sign the visitor’s book and welcomed me.  From there I just walked around on the main level which was mostly all white walls with elaborate molding.  Down the center hall, they must have had some event going on there were men in military outfits and dressed up people.  I walked around them; getting the eye from some state policeman with a wide brimmed flat hat.  I took out my camera, took pictures, and read signage about the building.   The state policeman is really keeping an eye on me and standing next to another man that other people are shaking his hand and wanting to talk with.  It turns out later that I was actually in the same room as the Alabama governor.  Their security is very laid back; it was mind boggling.

Photo- The first floor area, all very white.

I walked up to the next level where I could see in the dome area which was lovely but smaller than other capitals I have been in.  I was also amazed at how many doors were open and I could see Capital workers and statesman at work at their desks.  It was a very much open door policy.  In fact, there were only a couple of hallway areas that were roped off from visitors.  Otherwise it was a free for all. 

I walked down the back stairs to the gift shop which the information lady had recommended I visit.  There was another lax set of security guards by the back door with a table off to the side and the detection gate.  I walked by them saying hi and walked into the gift shop just across the hall from them.  Wow!  I will say that this was the nicest gift shop I have seen in any of the state capitals.  It was well presented and had a lot of items made in Alabama which I was amazed at the variety; from pottery to Alabama mud stained t-shirts to scented candles handmade tiled angel ornaments to cheese sticks (??) to candies.  I got a couple of postcards and could help but laugh about the Alabama mud stained t-shirts.

Next, I was fueled up and heading out of town heading east through Alabama back country towards Macon, GA.  I was about 30 miles out and it’s raining with dark clouds in the sky when the car radio announces a thunderstorm warning until 2pm and a tornado watch until 3pm.  It was strange because I haven’t had to worry about tornadoes for years since I moved away from Iowa and here I was driving on a back road in Alabama with a tornado watch.  I was almost out of the county that had this watch but it made me keep an eye on those dark clouds a little more closely and be aware of what shelter may be in the area as I drove along.

Photo- A Hillbilly Mall along a back road in Alabama?  Now that wasn't surprising!

It was pouring rain when I got to Macon, GA.  I managed to drive right to the hotel; only to find I had made the reservation for the next night.  Ooopps!  We got that rectified and I got settled in.  Then, I proceeded to try to locate a pizza place in the area but there was none; even though there was no shortage of restaurants nearby.  I finally gave up because driving in the area was near impossible with all the accidents.  They really don’t know how to drive in Macon when it rains.  I found a Sammy’s BBQ place about a block from my hotel and went in.

It was a rustic little BBQ place where a majority of the clientele was local southern middle class whites.  I seemed to fit right in except for having no accent.  I ordered a half slab of ribs with coleslaw and fries.  The ribs came hidden under the fries and a piece of garlic bread.  There were 4 different sauces to choose from on the table; I went with sweet and spicy.  It was good stuff!

DAY 108- New Orleans...

The locals pronounce it “NAw Lynnss” and they also talk really fast.  I kept on having them repeat what they were saying.  I guess I had gotten too use to the slow southern drawl they do everywhere else in the south.  I did a bit of exploring before the 10AM cemetery tour.  I wandered onto the low numbered end of Royal St. in the French Quarter and found the Café Beignet that the locals had recommended as having the better beignet than Café de Monde which they called a tourist trap.  While on the way there, I walked past several art galleries that weren’t open yet for the day.  There was some amazing stuff in their windows.  At Café Beignet, I walked to the back counter ordering coffee with a beignet.  I then found a table to sit at.  My coffee was called out and shortly after that my order number was called.  Beignets piled with powdered sugar and I was wearing black capris pants.  Oh, I so did not think this one through!  But it was a yummy and a bit messy experience.



Photo- The entrance to Cemetery Number One where I had my tour.

About 20 minutes before the cemetery tour, I wandered over to where it started.  It ended up being four of us on the tour.  Rene, our tour guide, walked us over a few blocks and started to explain the process and history about burial in New Orleans. The water table being so high created all kinds of problems for burying the dead.  Also, every Spring, it was common to have flooding in the area and bodies would come floating by the houses.  Rene teasingly told the joke that you like talking to your living Aunt at the dinner table but she wasn’t a very good dinner guest dead.   She showed us a section on Burgundy St. where there was an earlier cemetery but now it was a row of houses.  She mentioned a story of where a resident had arranged for a swimming pool to be put in and remains had been unburied.  I guess this whole area had quite a few remains just below the surface.



Photo- Our tour guide Rene showing us the "Oven" style of burial.

Photo- Rene showing us the most famous burial in the cemetery
a VooDoo Mistress called Marie Laveau.

Photo- In the middle area of the cemetery a picture from walking through.

 

We then walked over to Cemetery Number 1.  Rene asked us to be respectful.  It is still an active cemetery, and also not to lean or sit on any of the graves because of the damage that can cause over time.  She went over the different styles of burying that were in the cemetery; showing us as we went along within the walls of the cemetery. She also showed us some of the historic and famous figures in the cemetery.  Then, Rene showed us the backyard area where the Protestants were buried.  It is a Catholic cemetery.  She explain and showed us the difference between restoration and renovation within the cemetery.  Rene also showed us what she considered the eye sores on the cemetery; one of them being a pyramid that Nicholas Cage had built and plans to bury in, and the other is a strange memorial statue.  The tour was very fascinating and enjoyable.  Rene struck the right balance of fun and interesting.  I took both of the tours through a local company called Historic Tours and they give a slight discount if you take more than one with them.

Photo- Nicholas Cage's pyramid-- we were convinced that he purchased because the
IRS is not likely to repo a burial plot.  Though, I would imagine the resale value has some
potential because of where it is.

Next, outside the walls of the cemetery the group of all four of us decided to head out and explore the city.  We walk over to where the trolley cars are.  One of the gals decides to bow out and I ask if it’s okay to still hang out.  I ended up hanging out with a cute adorable middle age couple from Cincinnati, OH.  Steve and Patty were wonderfully easy going and made for enjoyable company for the afternoon.  We jumped on to the trolley car not sure where it went but open to explore.  This was my kind of exploring!  The great thing was its only $3 to ride their bus and trolley cars all day in New Orleans.



Photo- Patty and Steve in front of the Sculpture Garden.

Well, the trolley ended up stopping at a bunch of cemeteries and we already had a tour of one.  One cemetery a day was enough for us.  We back tracked a little and found a restaurant that must have been good because it was crowded.  It was called the Flying Burrito and we only waited about 5 minutes for a table.  We were reviewing maps and discovered if we caught another trolley line we would be close to a sculptural garden and the botanical gardens; that sounded good to me.  Lunch was wonderful and I enjoyed the Flying Burrito which had steak, chicken, and shrimp in a whole wheat tortilla.  Patty’s salad that she ordered looked good and Steve had a burrito too.

Photos- Two pictures of my favorite sculpture in the garden. 
The bottom one is a close up and the bottom human form is about 6 ft tall.

 

Photo- One of the cool sculptures in the garden.

After lunch we waited for a trolley that went north and meanwhile Patty was showing me photos of their swamp tour and a Mardi Gras Parade warehouse that they had explored in the last couple of days they been in New Orleans.  The trolley car arrived and we headed toward the New Orleans City Park which is an end stop.  Off we walked over to the Sculptural Garden which is right next to the New Orleans Museum of Art.  The sculptural garden is free and we got a brochure from the gal at the desk.  It’s a wonderful garden area and there are several acres and areas within it to walk around and enjoy.  It was fun wandering around with Patty and Steve trying to figure out the titles to some of the sculptures and trying to figure out what some of the sculptures were.  We even had a bit of fun with some sculptures that were on benches by mimicking them.

Photo- Patty and Sculpture.

Photo- Steve, now look serious like the statue!  LOL!!

It was sprinkling a bit off and on but we figured we would take our chances and went next to the New Orleans Botanical Garden which was next door to the sculptural garden.  There was a $6 fee to get in and the lady at the desk recommended visiting the Japanese garden area and said that the orchids were in bloom in the conservatory.  We walked through and enjoyed it all.  The Japanese garden was very peaceful and relaxing.  There were vegetable and herb gardens.  There was a train depot like garden with models that represented part of the city of New Orleans which was fun but the train wasn’t running at current.  As we went around they had Christmas lights up and out and it looked like they were getting ready for an event called Cajun Christmas.  There were alligators, Santa, and angels.  We went into the conservatory and saw all of the wonderful orchids in bloom.  It was a wonderful garden to visit.

Photo- The middle of the New Orleans Botantical Garden.

Next, we headed back to the trolley station figuring it was time to head back to the French Quarter.  Patty and Steve were staying on the other side in a hotel by Jackson Square.  As we were waiting we saw another bus go by and go down a street that would be a direct shot to the French Quarter.  Steve got on the phone and called the RTA(the New Orleans Transit) phone to find out where it went.  Well, it was a direct shot back to the hotel and it came every 30 minutes.  We were up for a different way to go back and we waited until the next one came.  We got to see a different landscape on the way back.  Brightly painted houses and neighborhoods but we did see one or two houses with an X on them.  There were still signs that the city was still recovering from Hurricane Katrina.  We arrived in the French Quarter and I gave Patty a hug and thanked them for letting me hang out with them for the day.  It was fun having someone else to do a little sightseeing with. 

I took a shower and decided to have dinner at the famous Gumbo Shop in the French Quarter which was just off of Royal Street.  I walked into the Gumbo Shop and there was a line.  Well, it turns out there was a big group of 17 waiting to be seated together.  I cut right to the front and the hostess asked if by the kitchen was okay.  Sure; I told her I was easy; how couldn’t I be in the big easy?  She must have heard that one before she just smiled and sat me.  I had planned on having their gumbo which they are famous for but I ended up having a combination plate instead which had crab estouffee, jambalaya, and another rice dish that had chicken and shrimp in it.  The server talked so fast I just agreed and said that would be fine.  I also didn’t have to wait as long as those that ordered gumbo.  The gumbo was taking a while and I already had my meal before a table next to me that sat earlier than me.  It was good stuff too and I had a local brewed beer with it.  Don’t ask me the name of the brew because I could barely understand the server with his accent.  I just took a chance and hoped I would like it and I did.  After dinner, I slowly wandered back to my hotel and I was ready to call it an early day.  My feet were hurting a bit from all the walking I did earlier.

DAY 106- Starting on Louisiana…

I woke up to another rainy morning and it was very humid.  I couldn’t do a thing with my naturally curly hair.  It was definitely a hat day!  I looked up directions to a local Mardi Gras Museum but there were two possibilities for the same address that I had one was a Street and the other a Lane and they were not close to each other. I had no phone number contact for the museum.  I asked the front desk as I checked out.  The girls at the front desk said it was probably a street and in the historic downtown.  They supplied me with a map.  Now I was in business or at least I hoped.

I found thought I had found the museum but unsure I asked a security guard outside taking a smoke break.  “Yessim Mamm! You ‘sore are at the right place.”  I asked where to park because it was basically a school where it said students only parking.  He pointed at the lot and told me anywhere I could find a spot should be fine.  I got into the building and the same security guard gave me directions to the second floor.  He said to go to office 202 if the museum wasn’t open and they would open it for me.   

Photo- Inside the Mardi Gras Museum in Lake Charles.

I got up to the second floor and it was filled with Mardi Gras costumes on both sides.  It was amazing the designs and beading.  The door to the actual museum was closed so I walked down the hall and stuck my head into a doorway.  The man took my $3 and was more than willing to open the doors and turn on the lights to the museum.  It was a museum that wound its way through 6 rooms and in and out of the hallway.  There were automated mannequins that talked and told you the story of the Mardi Gras in Lake Charles which started with a small group talking on a porch in early 1960’s.  The first Mardi Gras was held in Lake Charles in 1962 and has been going since.  It is also an open Mardi Gras and anyone living in Lake Charles, MS has an opportunity to participate. 

Photos- A great deal of planning and designing that goes into the costumes.

The museum also explained what a Mardi Gras was and went into the hierarchy of the event.  I was amazed at the organizing; planning and designing that went into it each year.  There was a whole room in the museum that talked about the costuming.  It started with the design drawings, selection of the materials, and talked about working with seamstresses for the actual sewing.  Then there were the fittings to the actual individuals that would be wearing the costumes.  It all sounded very expensive.  Quite a few of the pictures were of prominent people predominately with money in the area.  But it was all very interesting to getting a little peek into this part of the southern world.

After the thanking the guy for opening the museum and the security guard, I headed to the historic downtown.  I had seen a gallery store that looked interesting the night before.  I found a parking place and went in.  All of the art was Fleur de Lis of all different themes.  There were Fleur de Lis for certain professions, sports teams (mainly Louisiana teams), animals, patriotism, and cooking.  It was something interesting that I had never seen before and they were rather cool to look at.  There were tons of numbered prints available of each and there were paint sticks with pictures and labels of what they were in each section.  I really felt rather uncomfortable the gal attending the store asked if I was looking for something in particular and then just stood nearby me holding a black cat.  I told her I was curious and was just looking; giving her a pointed look like back off girl.  She finally left to the other side of the room but still watched.  I didn’t stay long after that.

Next, I drove a short ways down Ryan Street to a Southern Spice restaurant I had seen last night when driving around.  I thought it might be a good place to have lunch and if it was any indication the parking lot was packed.  I found a place in back on the gravel under a tree.  I waited a couple of minutes for a small table to be cleaned.  I ordered the special of the day a cranberry chicken salad sandwich on a croissant with a cup of shrimp and crawfish gumbo.  The “cup” came and it was a regular bowl.  The server said that just might fill me up and that this was the cup size.  I asked if that was a southern sizing thing.  She laughed at me and I wondered if I would have gotten a bucket if I ordered a bowl.

Photo- Southern Spice has southern home cooking that tends on the heavy side. 

I took a taste of the gumbo and I could just taste the lard and salt.  OMG!  It wasn’t that it was bad but it was very different from the gumbo that I had last night and I just didn’t care for it as much.  The cranberry chicken salad sandwich came and I couldn’t pick up the croissant sandwich because the croissant was very delicate and flaky.  I cut it up with my fork.  Now this was good.  It was served with potato chips and these looked homemade.  I took a bite and could taste the lard and Cajun spices.  Please tell me that not all of these southern restaurants used lard.  Yikes, I could feel my arteries clogging!

The server asked where I was from and was surprised when I said Utah.  Wow!  That’s really up there.  Well, I said it was more west than up.  Then, she was saying the states I would have to drive through to get here and finally figured out that Utah was just above Arizona.  Well, this girl knew her geography at least.  She was sweet and even offered to get me a go cup for my diet coke.

Photo- A lovely park area along the lake in Lake Charles, LA.

I made a quick stop at a park area along the bank of the Lake Charles.  I imagine on a nice day this would have been filled but it was rather chilly and cloudy.  There were a few people taking work breaks or walking their dogs through the area.  I took a couple of pictures and was thinking of using the restrooms but walked into them and turned right back around; not clean at all.

Photo- Driving on a long bridge through swamp  land.

Driving on the way to Baton Rouge, there’s a long, long bridge area that goes over a swamp, a lake, a river, and then a shipping channel.  It must have been at least 15 miles that I was driving on a bridge.  It seemed like the never-ending bridge.  The swamp area was rather interesting scenic area to be driving over.  It made me wonder how much of the state of Louisiana was swamp.

I finally arrived at my hotel amid all of the rush hour traffic which I guess was made worse because it was raining.  The girl said that they drive crazy here when it rains and I felt like I was driving in Utah during the first snow of the year.  They were crazy!  I asked her where there were a lot of restaurants nearby and she gave me directions of 4 street lights and off to the right was a mall/ shopping area.  I had dinner at an Italian chain restaurant.  I needed a break from lard!

I left the restaurant and immediately got lost because I got turned around in the mall area.  It was still pouring rain and I couldn’t see half of the road signs.  I back tracked to the restaurant and thought I was going back the way I came but nothing was looking like the way I had driven to the restaurant.  I drove around another 15 minutes and finally just called the hotel for directions.  The gal transferred me to Bobby who asked where I was and he gave me directions back.  Bobby?  I thought if it was anywhere but the south this guy would be demanding to be called Bob or Robert.  I got back to the hotel but was definitely staying in for the rest of the night.