I also had to take time to program the GPS for the next few visits. I couldn't do it last night, because my husband forgot to bring it in after his concert and it was too late to go get it. I discover that the Jean Lafitte NHP is actually several different places and they are not close together. I had to figure out which one most interested me.
Thus, it was 11:23 when I left. The first stop was only 7 minutes away. It was The Enchanted Mansion-a doll museum. The cashier explained that a woman's husband had built this place to house her collection. Even with that, not all of it can be displayed at once. Plus, as I'd read in the newspaper, they were hosting a Barbie exhibition. Before taking me inside, she asked if I wanted cookies and lemonade at the end. Why not?
The museum starts off with a talking bear and cuckoo clock. It was cute at first, but went on a bit long for my taste. The doll displays were well-lit and thoughtfully put together. Whenever possible, there were cards identifying the doll and manufacturer. The Barbies belong to the local Adult Fashion Doll Collectors. Most of them had labels. After them, were some Disney character dolls that looked a lot better than what you see at Magic Kingdom. The displays end with old dolls and an old dollhouse, that was too dark to really see into.
There is a shop and I found a couple of dolls at reduced prices that could use a good home. There is a little bit of dollhouse furniture, but nothing special. The cashier reminded me about my lemonade and cookies. Good thing I went for them-more Barbies! The lemonade was in a tea pot and the glass was a small Coke glass. The cookies were store-bought, but good.
When I came out after 1.5 hours, I decided to not go to the craft gallery, as I'd intended, but to drive south to Houmas House plantation. That way, I can more easily get to the NHP section I've chosed for tomorrow, as it is to the west.
I raced down there, because they stop serving lunch in Cafe Burnside on the property at 2. I arrived at 1:41, paid $23 (!) after a $1 AAA discount, and hurried off to the cafe, since I had to be seated before 2. Success!
Lunch was slow, which might have been fine, if I felt I had a lot of time, but I had to be in Baton Rouge at 6. Plus, why was it slow? I was one of the last people to enter-and the last to leave, as it turned out. Since I was at a plantation, I thought I'd be a little fancy and order a German wine. When she finally came back, it was with a different wine, saying they were out of the German. I didn't like it and opted for the Sauvignon Blanc she suggested instead. When she finally came back, it was with the German after all. I ordered the Jumbo-Lump Crab and Mango Cake Salad. Why is it people claim things are lump crab, when they are mostly shredded? It was delicious, nonetheless. The balsamic vinegarette had a kick and the slice of yellow tomato was tasty. During the meal, I picked at the butter to coat the small slices of bread. You see, it was their specialty-Cane Syrup and Pecans Butter. I do not do pecans and really felt I should have been asked first. I did like the cane syrup part, though. I made one final splurge at the end and ordered the Sweet Potato Bread Pudding. As I texted my daughters: Oh. My. Goodness. It was amazing. I think cane syrup was drizzled on the plate. This was a sugar cane plantation after all.
I'd heard a bell rung twice and had a bad feeling I knew what it was. As I'd been told at the desk, I asked the waitress where to go for the house tour. What I hadn't been told at the desk, and should have been, was how to know when the next tour was. The waitress said that the bell was the signal. When I said it had rung twice, she ran off to do the check. But it was now 2:50. The tour started at 2:45.
I had 45 minutes to start to roam the gardens. I managed to get my picture taken in front of the oak alley with the house behind that before the rain started. It was coming down pretty well by the time I reached the bell. Seeing I still had 5 minutes, I told a couple there to tell them I was rushing off to the restroom. I heard no bell and I was back at 3:30 and no one was there. The man from the couple came back to call me to the porch, where everyone else was already assemble.
The guide, dressed as a gentleman of the antebellum period, led the 7 of us through the privately owned house, saying the owner wanted us to take pictures. Awesome! He pointed out the wide front door, which was made that way so that a gentleman and his lady could enter side-by-side, even with her hoop skirt. The door knob was lower than today, since people were shorter back then. He also pointed out the shorter dining room table. He showed us a map found in the attic believed to be hidden there to keep Federal soldiers from knowing more about the area. He was particularly happy to point out the relatively high number of free persons of color in the pre-war period and that many of them had plantations. Later, he said that only 5-10% of the population lived in homes like this one and had the money. We learned so many details of the furnishings, the house and the people who had lived there. Terrific tour!
Afterwards, I continued taking pictures of the gardens in the rain. They are not historically accurate, as metal flamingoes would not have been used as decor outside a Greek Revival home. However, the flowers were stunning and the gardens were lush. No wonder the owner has to charge so much. It must cost a small fortune to maintain.
The shop had all kinds of things, but no pin and no Christmas ornament that was suitable for a trip the two of us had taken. We collect local ornaments when we travel and hang them on garlands in the kitchen and dining rooms at Christmas. They have to be places we have both been.
For some reason the traffic returning was going to make the trip back longer. You'd think, they'd be heading away from the city. I let the GPS take me on a route that would be faster. I was still late getting to LSU, but had called my husband-love that feature on my car!- and he had found a place to go for dinner. It was Louis's Deli, which looked more like a diner and dated to 1941. He enjoyed his Seafood Stirfry and I liked my Sauteed Seafood Salad.
Once again, the check was slow in being dealt with, but that gave us more time to discuss his big news. The board voted to have the 2017 ClarinetFest in Orlando, accepting his proposal. He'll have a lot to do, but I'll be retired and can help. 1400 people came here. Can you imagine how many will come to Orlando?!
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