GVLRT - Day 17 - Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. James, St. John the Baptist, and St. Charles Parishes

COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

As this is a large area, this itinerary may be split for two days instead of one.

Houmas House Plantation, 40136 La 942, Darrow, LA

Ascension Parish Courthouse
Fort Butler Commemorative Site, Veterans Blvd, Donaldsonville, LA

Assumption Parish Courthouse
Madewood Plantation Home, 4250 La. 308, Napoleonville, LA

Lafourche Parish Courthouse
Zam's Swamp Tours, 36 Kraemer Bayou Road, Thibodaux, La

Terrebonne Parish Courthouse
Terrebonne Folk Center, 317 Goode Street, Houma, La

St. James Parish Courthouse
Laura Plantation, 2247 La 18, Vacherie, LA

St. John the Baptist Parish Courthouse
Evergreen Plantation, 4649 Hwy 18, Edgard, LA

St. Charles Parish Courthouse

And THAT'S IT!!!  It's the end of the line for the Great Virtual Louisiana Road Trip!!!  I hope you enjoyed it!

GVLRT - Day 16 - St. Mary, Iberville, West Baton Rouge

COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:


St. Mary Parish Courthouse
Chitimacha Museum, 3289 Chitimacha Trail, Charenton, LA

International Petroleum Rig Museum, 111 First Street, Morgan City, LA

Brownell Memorial Park & Carillion Tower

Iberville Parish Courthouse
Plaquemine Lock State Historic Site, 57730 Main Street, Plaquemine, La

West Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse
West Baton Rouge Museum, 845  N. Jefferson Avenue, Port Allen, LA

Day 17 takes us to Ascension, Assumption, Lafourche, Terrebonne, St. James, St. John the Baptist, and St. Charles Parishes. 

GVLRT - Day 15 - Acadia, Vermillion, Lafayette, St. Martin, & Iberia Parishes

COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Acadia Parish Courthouse
Hawk's Crawfish, 415 Hawk's Road, Rayne, LA

Vermillion Parish Courthouse
Dupuy's Seafood & Steak, 108 S. Main St, Abbeville, La

Abbeville Cultural & Historical Museum, 200 N. Magdalen Square, Abbeville, La

Lafayette Parish Courthouse
Johnson's Boucanerie, 1111 St. John  St, Lafayette, LA

Giant Saw, 7474  Johnston St., Lafayette, LA

Miss Rose's Bar Sculpture, 1400 NW Evangeline Thwy, Lafayette

St. Martin Parish Courthouse
Longfellow Evangeline State Historic Site, 1200 Main Street, St. Martinville, La

Iberia Parish Courthouse
Konriko/Conrad Rice Mill, 307 Ann Street, New Iberia, La

Tabasco Factory Tour, 1 Main Road, Hwy 329, Avery Island, La

Overnight at Cypremort State Park

Day 16 includes St. Mary, Iberville, West Baton Rouge Parishes

GVLRT - Day 14 - Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis Parishes

COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Calcasieu Parish Courthouse
Creole Nature Trail, 1205 N. Lakeshore Drive, Lake Charles, LA

Cameron Parish Courthouse
Jefferson Davis Parish Courthouse
Gator Chateau, 100 Rue de l'Acadie, Jennings, La

Stay at Sam Houston Jones State Park again.
Day 15 includes parishes of Acadia, Vermillion, Lafayette, St. Martin, and Iberia.

GVLRT - Day 13 - St. Landry, Evangeline, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes

COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

St. Landry Parish Courthouse
Creole Heritage Folk Life Center, 1113 West Vine Street, Opelousas, LA

Evangeline Parish Courthouse
Swamp Pop Museum, 205 NW Railroad Avenue, Ville Platte, La

DI's Cajun Restaurant, 6561 Evangeline Hwy, Basile, LA

Allen Parish Courthouse
Beauregard Parish Courthouse
The Hanging Jail Building next door to the courthouse - it is not currently open for tourism but may be soon.

Overnight at Sam Houston Jones State Park, Lake Charles, La

Day 14 includes visits to Calcasieu, Cameron, and Jefferson Davis Parishes.

GVLRT - Day 12 - Vernon, Rapides, Avoyelles, & Pointe Coupee Parishes

COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Vernon Parish Courthouse
Hodges Gardens State Park, 1000 Hodges Lane, Florien, LA

Rapides Parish Courthouse
Kent House State Historic Site, 3601 Bayou Rapides Road, Alexandria, LA - You can see a VIMEO video HERE.

Giant Crawfish @ Swamp Daddy's, 55 McArthur Drive, Alexandria, LA

Forts Rudolph & Buhlow State Historic Site, 135 Riverfront Street, Pineville, LA

Alexandria Zoo, 3016 Masonic Drive, Alexandria, LA

Avoyelles Parish Courthouse
Marksville State Historic Site, 837 Martin Luther King Drive, Marksville, La

Tunica/Biloxi Rez Museum, 150 Melancon Road, Marksville, La
LA4H Museum,8592 La 1, Mansura, LA

Point Coupee Parish Courthouse

Overnight somewhere in New Roads
Day 13 includes visits to St. Landry, Evangeline, Allen, and Beauregard Parishes

GVLRT - Day 11 - Natchitoches & Sabine Parishes

COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Cane River National Heritage Area
Oakland Plantation, 4388 La 494, Natchez, La

Magnolia Plantation, 440 Rapides Drive, Natchitoches, LA

Natchitoches Parish Courthouse
Fort St. Jean Baptiste State Historic Site, 155 Jefferson St., Natchitoches, LA

Oldest Store, 758 Front Street, Natchitoches, LA

Lasoyne's Meat Pies, 622 2nd Street, Natchitoches, La

Rebel State Historic Site, 1260  La. 1221, Marthaville, La

Los Adaes State Historic Site, 6354 La 485, Robeline, La

Fort Jesup State Historic Site, 32 Geoghagan Rd, Many, La

Sabine Parish Courthouse

Toledo Bend State Park

Day 12 takes us to Vernon, Rapides, Avoyells, and  Pointe Coupee parishes.

GVLRT - Day 10 - Franklin, Catahoula, LaSalle, and Grant Parishes

PARISH COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Unfortunately, there's not a whole lot to see and do in this part of our great state.  So, we'll just drive through and do the photo ops at the courthouses.

Franklin Parish Courthouse
Catahoula Parish Courthouse
LaSalle Parish Courthouse
Grant Parish Courthose

Day 11 will include visits to Natchitoches and Sabine Parishes.

GVLRT - Day 9 - DeSoto, Red River, Jackson, Winn, & Caldwell Parishes

COURTHOUSES

The Red Zone:

 The Itinerary:

Desoto Parish Courthouse
1843 Log Courthouse, 1101 Polk Street, Mansfield, LA

Mansfield State Historic Site, 15149 La 175, Mansfield, LA

Red River Parish Courthouse
Jackson Parish Courthouse
Winn Parish Courthouse
Louisiana Political Museum and Hall of Fame, 499 E. Main Street, Winnfield, LA

Caldwell Parish Courthouse
Martin Home Place, 203 Martin Home Place Rd, Columbia, LA

 

Schepis Museum, 106 Main Street, Columbia, LA
Overnight at Jimmie Davis State Park

Day 10 Adventures to include the parishes of Franklin, Catahoula, LaSalle, and Grant.

GVLRT - Day 8 - Lincoln, Bienville, Claiborne, Webster, Bossier, and Caddo Parishes

COURTHOUSE BUILDINGS

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Lincoln Parish Courthouse
Large Rocking Chair, 774 Hwy 146, Ruston, La

 

Lincoln Parish Museum, 609 N. Vienna Street, Ruston, LA

 

Bienville Parish Courthouse
Driskoll Mountain Hiking Trail, St. Route 507, Bienville, LA  The Highest point in the State!!

Bonnie & Clyde Ambush Museum, 2419 Main Street, Gibsland, LA

Claiborne Parish Courthouse
Webster Parish Courthouse
Bossier Parish Courthouse
Caddo Parish Courthouse
Strawn's Eat Shop, 125 Kings Hwy, Shreveport, LA

19 Ft. Tall Dalmation, 801 Crockett Street, Shreveport, LA

 

Stay overnight somewhere near.

GVLRT - Day 7 - Richland, Ouchita, and Union Parishes

COURTHOUSE LINK HERE

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Richland Parish Courthouse
Ouachita Parish Courthouse
Cotton Restaurant, 101 N. Grand Street, Monroe, LA

Duck Commander, 117 Kings Lane, West Monroe, LA

Biedenharn Museum and Gardens, 2006 Riverside Drive, Monroe, LA

Union Parish Courthouse
Bernice Depot Museum, 426 4th Street, Bernice, La

Lake D'Arbonne State Park, Farmerville, La

Day 8 - Got a big trip planned!!  Headed to Lincoln, Bienville, Claiborne, Webster, Bossier, and Caddo Parishes.

GVLRT - Day 6 - Madison, E&W Carroll, and Morehouse Parishes

Okay, here we are on Day 6.  I think you know by now what I have listed.

The Courthouse Buildings Linkyloo - CLICK HERE.

The Red Zone:

 The Itinerary:

Madson Parish Courthouse
Hermione Museum, 315 N. Mulberry Street, Tallulah, La - There's a video HERE.

East Carroll Parish Courthouse
Grant's Canal, Byerley House Museum, 600 Lake Street, Lake Providence, LA

La. Cotton Museum, 7162 US 65, Lake Providence, LA - There's a video at the bottom of the page HERE.

Panola Pepper Company, 1414 Delta Road, Lake Providence, LA

West Carroll Parish Courthouse
Poverty Point National Heritage Site, 6859 Hwy 577, Pioneer, LA

Morehouse Parish Courthouse
Snyder Museum and Creative Arts Center, 1620 East Madison Avenue, Bastrop, LA  71220

Stay at Chemin A Haute State Park

Day 7's adventures take us through Richland, Ouchita, and Union Parishes.  

GVLRT - Day 5 - Concordia & Tensas Parishes

Today we're headed to North Louisiana through Concordia and Tensas Parishes.  The day will be spent mostly driving with a few stops.  The plan is to stay the night at Lake Bruin State Park before moving on to Day 6.  As you know by now, we're also stopping for photo ops at each parish courthouse.  You can follow this link HERE to see a list of the parishes.  Just click on Concordia and then Tensas to see the courthouse buildings for those parishes.

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Concordia Parish Courthouse
The Delta Museum, 218 Louisiana Avenue, Ferriday, La

Tensas Parish Courthouse

Winter Quarters Plantation State Historic Site, 4929 Hwy 608, Newellton, LA

 

Unfortunately, Winter Quarters is CLOSED indefinitely until repairs from a past storm can be done.  So, we'll bypass this one and move on to 

Frogmore Plantation, 11656 US-84, Ferriday, LA 71334  CLICK HERE FOR THE VIDEO

We'll stop by the Giant Mailbox for a photo op!  US Hwy 65 & Cutoff Road, Newellton, LA

Camping at Lake Bruin Campground or stay at Lake Bruin Lodge.  Not sure yet.  OR we might just move on up north.

And that's it for Day 5.  Our next stop will be in the parishes of Madison, E&W Carroll, and Morehouse.

The GVLRT - Day 4 - St. Bernard, Orleans

The Courthouses: CLICK HERE

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

St. Bernard Parish Courthouse
Old Arabi Sugar Museum, 200 Hernandez, Arabi, LA

Chalmette Battlefield, 8606 W. St. Bernard Hwy, Chalmette, LA

St. Bernard State Park, 201 St. Bernard Pkwy, Braithwaite, LA

Orleans Parish Courthouse
Jazz Heritage Museum, 916 N. Peters Street, New Orleans, LA

Home to Livingston to prep for Day 5.  Heading North to Concordia & Tensas Parishes

The GVLRT - Day 3 - Jefferson & Plaquemines

Day 3 of our Road Trip has us heading down south into Jefferson and Plaquemines Parishes.

The Courthouses:  CLICK HERE

The Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

Jefferson Parish Courthouses (Old & New)
Jean Lafitte National Park, 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA

Either Rent A Canoe at Bayou Barn or go for an Airboat Ride at Airboat Adventures

Plaquemines Parish Courthouse
Fort Jackson, 220 Herbert Harvey Drive, Buras, La

And that's it for today.  We now head back home or get a Hotel Room in/near Chalmette and prep for Day 4 where we'll spend time in St. Bernard and Orleans Parishes.

The Great Virtual Louisiana Road Trip (GVLRT) - Day 2 - EBR, E&W Feliciana

Here's Day 2 of the Great Louisiana Road Trip.  Today we'll visit sites in East and West Feliciana as well as East Baton Rouge Parishes.  Jump in and ride along!  Remember that we plan to visit each parishes courthouse to get a pic but I'm not posting all those pics here.  If you want to see them, click HERE.

Today's Red Zone:

The Itinerary:

E. Feliciana Parish Courthouse
Centenary State Historic Site, 3522 College Street, Jackson, LA  70748

W. Feliciana Parish Courthouse
Tour a little bit around St. Francisville

 
Lunch at Magnolia Cafe, 5689 Commerce Street, St. Francisville, La

Rosedown State Historic Site, 12501 La. 10, St. Francisville, La

Audubon State Historic Site, 11788 Hwy 965, St. Francisville, La

Cat Island Nature Preserve, Largest Cypress Tree

EBR Parish Courthouse
Trip to top of New State Capitol Building

State Museum, 660 N. 4th Street, Baton Rouge, LA

That's all for Day 2!  Now we go home to sleep and rest up for tomorrow's adventures.  Get ready to head down South (as if we weren't far enough South as it is)!

The Great Virtual Louisiana Road Trip - Day 1 - Livingston, St. Tammany, Washington, Tangipahoa, St. Helena

So, I had planned out this elaborate Road Trip inside the state lines of Louisiana.  The plan was to visit all 64 parishes in the state, get a pic in front of every parish courthouse, visit some sort of tourist attraction whether it be a museum, roadside weirdo attraction, or swamp tour.

Since we are not actually able to do the Road Trip at this time, I'm going to take a Virtual Road Trip and post videos, images, and links to the places we planned to visit.  (Here's a link to all the courthouses in the state - HERE)


Here's where we're starting:

 

The itinerary:

1.  Livingston Parish Courthouse, Corner of Poplar and Iowa

2.  St. Tammany Parish Courthouse, 701 N. Columbia St, Covington, LA  70433

3.  World's Largest Ronald Reagan Statue, Corner of New Hampshire & E. Lockwood, Covington

 

 

4.  Abita Springs Mystery House, 22275 La 36, Abita Springs, La  70420

5.  Bogue Chitto State Park, 17049 St. Park Road, Franklinton, La  70438

6.  Washington Parish Courthouse, 908 Washington Street, Franklinton, La

7.  Civil War Monument behind the courthouse, where 3 of my ancestors have their names listed.

8.  Old Varnado Store Museum, 1041 Cleveland Street, Franklinton, La

 

9.  Camp Moore Confederate Cemetery & Museum, Hwy 51, Amite, La

10.  Tangipohoa Parish Courthouse, 110 N. Bay Street, Amite, La

11.  St. Helena Parish Courthouse, 369 Sitman Street, Greensburg, La

12.  FINAL STOP:  Old Jail Museum, Sitman Street, across street from courthouse 

      And That's it for Day 1 of our Virtual Road Trip!  I hope you've enjoyed it so far!  Stay tuned for Day 2 where we visit the parishes of East Baton Rouge as well as East and West Feliciana!!

Disney 2009, Day 9: The Homecoming

We woke up at 4:30 a.m. and checked out of the campground by 5 a.m. DH drove, not speaking, the entire 13 hours it took to reach home. We stopped only twice for potty breaks and fuel arriving home at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday afternoon.

He was definitely ready to get home and relax. By the next afternoon, he was his old self.

Whew what a ride!!!

I will be planning a return to Disney World next year with 3 possible changes.... 1) We won't stay as long, 2) We won't go during the summer, and 3) DH won't be going with us.

Disney 2009, Day 8 pt 2: Cinderella's Happily Ever After

This dinner was being served at the Grand Floridian resort in the 1900 Park Fare restaurant. The food here was served on a buffet and I found it to be unimpressive but okay. The atmosphere was a bit hoity toity but that’s to be expected when meeting with royalty. We were introduced to Prince Charming, Cinderella, and the Tremaine’s. We had already met Cinderella on our first day and the Tremaine’s were met unexpectedly at the Magic Kingdom. We opted to keep these particular ressies only to meet Prince Charming and to stuff some desserts into a Ziploc baggie before leaving Orlando.

Prince Charming was our first Royal Celebrity to meet tonight. He came around to the table and greeted the girls in his fine manner. He asked for their names as he signed their autograph book. My Little Bird, being the socialite she is, responded to him, “My name is “Little Bird” and this is my little sister “Kangaroo” and that FAT girl in the blue shirt over there is my older sister DQ!” DQ and I looked across the table at each other, our jaws dropping to the floor. DQ then voiced to me, “Did you hear that? Did you hear what she said?” I glanced up at Prince Charming and he had the same shocked look on his face but true to Prince Charming never broke character nor did he acknowledge that he’d even heard the remark!

At this point I didn’t even know what to say or how to address Little Bird’s comment other than to say, “That wasn’t a very nice thing to say. You need to apologize to DQ. That comment hurt her feelings.” Little Bird did say she was sorry and gave DQ a big hug. Hmmm, out of the mouths of babes they say!!! LOL

When asked if her name was DRUzella or DRIzella, she remarked with this very look on her face, "It's Drrriiiiii."
I asked Anastasia if she sang. She said, "Yes, I can sing, but I'm better at playing the flute." Then I realized that I was thinking of the wrong sister!

We got back to the camper at approximately 6 p.m. I told DH that I needed to get the borrowed stroller back to the Pop Century resort for the next Disney guest to borrow it behind me. I took that over there and then detoured back to the Magic Kingdom for some gift shopping and to use up our last Counter Service credits for sandwiches and snacks for the road. I drove over to the Magic Kingdom parking area, got on a tram and remembered that I had left my cell phone on the charger in the suburban. Since I was already on the tram, I made the choice to leave the phone, get what I need, and hurry back as quickly as possible. That decision to not go back to get my cell phone turned out later to be a bad decision.

Upon my arrival at the Magic Kingdom, I quickly went into the gift shops hoping to find a souvenir very quickly and purchase it. There was so much “stuff” that I felt could be purchased elsewhere and I didn’t feel like spending my gift card on stuff that was trivial. Meanwhile, the crowds were getting bad. I went over to the Main Street Bakery to load up on sandwiches and snacks and then sprinted for the Monorail amidst the fireworks explosions overhead. It was 10 p.m. I reached the suburban at 10:30 p.m. and noticed 73 missed calls on my cell phone. I started to return the calls when DQ called me. She told me that DH was highly upset with me, to put it politely. He was worried that I hadn’t returned after dropping off the stroller. I can understand that. I should have taken my cell phone. It was a very frustrating evening.

Upon my return to the camper, my husband let me know in very unpleasant terms that he was extremely displeased with my like of consideration. I just KNEW security would be called and we would be kicked out of the Happiest Place on Earth!!!! LOL

Moving on now....

Disney 2009, Day 8 pt 1: Epcot again

We woke up at approximately 9 or 10 a.m. and went to Epcot. My goal at Epcot this time was to catch a few rides that I had missed but had been told were “must sees”. I also wanted to finish getting the girls Epcot passports stamped and signed.

We got straight into Epcot, going right to The Land, for lunch at Sunshine Seasons. I had a most delicious and HUGE Black Forest Ham and Salami Grinder sandwich. It’s similar to a muffuletta. I don’t know what kind of bread this sandwich was made from but it was great! It was made with ham and salami and dressed with spinach leaves and red onion slices with a poppy seed dressing. It was certainly delicious!

After lunch, we went to ride the Living with the Land ride. This is an educational boat ride introducing passengers to technological advancements in agriculture. The boat visits five greenhouses that use hydroponics to grow food, which I also learned is then used in the Disney restaurants.

Then we went to ride the Journey Into Imagination with Figment. I had ridden this 21 years ago on my last visit to Epcot. Since that time, the ride has been refurbished and redesigned several times. It’s currently on its third version and there’s talk of a fourth change. Everything I’ve read and heard though says that the original ride was the best.

After riding Imagination, we exited through the Imagination Labs where we could conduct orchestras, hop on sound pads, take a picture of ourselves and edit them with stickers and morphing software and then email them to ourselves!

Then we went to see the much reviewed Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. This is another 3D movie experience but, honey, I wasn’t impressed by this one at all. In comparison, the Mickey’s Philharmagic and Muppets 3D show are much better.

Once out of this one, we grabbed a popsicle and headed over to the Mexico pavilion in the World Showcase to finish up the girls Epcot passports.

Got the Mexico one and headed to the Maelstrom ride at the Norway pavilion. I also wasn’t impressed with this exhibit. It just didn’t live up to the hype. After the ride, DH and the girls waited in the shade while me and The Teen sprinted for the China and Germany pavilions to get the passports completed. Once that was done we headed for the park entrance. At this point it is 3 p.m. and we have 4:30 p.m. ressies at the Grand Floridian’s 1900 Park Fare Cinderella’s Happily Ever After dinner. This will be our last character meet and greet and last evening on Walt Disney World property. My husband is ready to point the horse to the barn and head home.