Visiting a Real Plantation

Twilight Zone moment this morning on the playground. Even more than when Brighton, through softball, met another boy named Brighton and who had a brother named Weston. This morning Spencer and Skylar non-chalantly told us that the boys they'd been playing with, two brothers close to their ages, were named Spencer and Skylar! So weird. The boys' motorhome pulled up and they moved out before I had a chance to confirm it with reliable sources, but I do know for sure that the littlest boy WAS named Skylar too.

The kids were sad to see the playground go, but we left Bayou Segnette right around noon. We decided to visit Oak Alley Plantation on our way to our new campground since they had ample parking for our big rv to park in while we explored. After just about an hour's drive, we pulled right in to their parking lot and I got out our bbq and grilled some hot dogs and some brats for our lunch and we ate it right there in their large grassy area. Is that too Griswold-ish? Brock and the little boys played a quick game of tag to get some of their fidgets out and we cleaned everything up, paid our admittance fee and walked on to the magnificent grounds.

We explored the restrooms first. ;o) Then, we were just in time for the next tour of the big house. Our historical interpreter, Reagan, was just about as cute as she could be. She WAS the definitive southern belle. She had grown up and always lived within a 45 minute radius of the plantation. We loved listening to her accent. She obviously had her spiel memorized, but delivered it in a very fun, interesting and authentic way. We learned a lot about the house, the families, and the time period.

The house was constructed almost entirely from slave labor and from things found right on the property over the course of about 2 years beginning in 1837. They made all the bricks etc. right there. At that time, the lines of oaks were already more than a hundred years old. It was surreal to see the trees leafing out and flowers blooming. We know it shouldn't be spring yet, but it feels like it.

In the parlor, where our tour started

A fan over the dining table which would be manned by a slave for all the time family and guests were at the table. It would be placed over a very large block of ice. Probably about as good as modern air conditioning.

The rolling pin bed. Mattresses were stuffed  with spanish moss and a slave would be responsible for rolling out the lumps each day.

Baby cradle is the only piece of the original furniture in the house.

On the veranda, taking in the gorgeous views

We also really enjoyed the Confederate Army tent display with historical interpreter who talked to us for a long time too. The events of the period seem so much more real to have someone talk to you about them right there in that setting. Hearing about some little known facts can really bring perspective. I knew that life didn't really change much for the slaves after the Civil War for many years, but I never would have guessed exactly how many. Our guide told us he'd heard of plantation script (money) being used in that area even up until the 1970s.

Some of us tried our first mint juleps today, (Brighton and Spencer had virgin versions of it, while Brock and I had full strength) while Bryn and Sky had fresh lemonade. Yummy.

I need to write about getting to our campsite, but my eyelids are just too heavy. I'll finish in the morning.