Photo-Op!

We did finally make it through New Orleans.  One of the first things we did was walk around Lake Ponchartrain at Sunset.  Beautiful, isn't it?

Lake Pontchartrain!

The next morning we had to hit Cafe' Du Monde for beignets and coffee.  The nice thing about making this a virtual trip is that the beinets have absolutely NO calories whatsoever! :)  We had a dozen each.

Beignets and Coffee at the Cafe' Du Monde

 That afternoon after wandering through the French Quarter we found the Columns Hotel which houses Albertine's Tea Room.  I think that I went to Albertine's many years ago with my mother and Grandma.  Nancy and I had a full afternoon tea; just what we needed after that stroll through town.

Entrance To Albertine's Tea Room

We left New Orleans and traveled due west, passing through Hahnville.  It's a rather small little community not too far out of the big town.  Here's the old Homeplace Plantation.  It was a fascinating house to wander through. 

Homeplace Plantation, Hahnville, Louisiana

Leaving Hahnville, we came to Lake des Allemandes.  The history of that area is interesting.  Believe it or not, even with that French/German name combination, it was settled by a Scot!  We flew Dan out to pipe for us at sunset that day.

Lac des Allemandes, Louisiana

By the end of last week, we had totaled 364 miles.  That put us right at Convent, Louisiana on the Mississippi River where we saw this. 

Manresa Retreat, Convent, Louisiana

It is a Jesuit retreat (meaning no women allowed) but again the benefits of a virtual tour kicked in and we had a lovely time wandering through the gardens and admiring the art and architecture of all the buildings.  The monks got in a bit of a snit with us being there, so they left and we had the whole place to ourselves.

We have left Convent behind and are on our way to Texas.  It will take a little while to get there, and it will take even longer to get through.  I remember the first (and only) time I drove to Houston.  I made the trip solo from Gainesville, Georgia.  When I got to the border I glanced at my odometer and discovered that I had driven 600+ miles.  Then I looked at the sign and discovered that the other end of Texas (El Paso) was another 800 miles away!

Here is the link to the map we are using.  You can zoom in to see more detail.  New Iberia and Lake Charles, coming up!