Day Eight: Cemeteries and Ocean Springs, Mississippi

Tuesday morning, the last day of NJ's visit, we started with a good breakfast at Tout de Suite and then head to Saint Louis Number 3 Cemetery.

We picked up Gloria on our way out of town and headed along the coast to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. We visited the Shearwater Pottery and the Walter Inglis Anderson Museum, hit a couple of antique shops, and had lunch at the Phoenicia Restaurant. Ocean Springs is a quaint little town, a nice day trip from New Orleans.

Day Seven: Running the Streets

We began the day with breakfast at Tout de Suite, our favorite coffeehouse/café in old Algiers. We then went a few blocks to the Rosetree Blown Glass Studio and Gallery.

We then visited the fine arts gallery at Newcomb College, where two senior shows were on display.

We headed to the cemeteries at the head of Canal Street but arrived after the gates were closed. NJ and Kathie hopped on the Canal Street streetcar and headed for the Central Business District. Rodriguez's ubiquitous Blue Dog and a couple of his buddies were spotted along the way. 

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At the end of the car line, we walked along the river front, through Woldenberg Riverside Park. The sculpture behind the statue of Woldenberg and a child is by artist John Scott.

As we reached Jackson Square, twilight was setting.

We had dinner at the Rivers Edge Restaurant in the historic Pontalba building, then walked across the street to the Café du Monde for beignets and café au lait. We peeked in the window to watch the beignets being made.

This vignette in a shop window says it all: art, music, heritage, Mardi Gras. That's New Orleans!

Day Six: Plantations of the River Road

As Mardi Gras activities heated up in the city, it seemed like a good idea to take a road trip on Sunday, so we headed upriver to visit a couple plantations. We started at Oak Alley, known as the Queen of the Plantations, where we enjoyed a marvelous lunch. The 300-year-old oaks that form the alley predate the plantation itself.

No photos were permitted in the lovely mansion. Our knowledgable guide shared some interesting stories about the house and the families who lived there.

The oaks behind the house are younger at about 150 years old. Gloria, NJ, and Kathie enjoyed the oaks and the sugar cane kettle while our chaufeur waited to take us to the next stop.

The next stop was Laura Plantation, just downriver from Oak Alley. This is a typical Creole plantation and quite a contrast to Oak Alley.