Oak Alley Plantation

Posted on April 26, 2015 by azgilstrap

Oak Alley Plantation – Vacherie, Louisiana

Known as the “Grande Dame of the Great River Road,” the Oak Alley Plantation is one of the most iconic representations of its type in the American South. Famous for a memorable Antebellum Mansion and a canopied path created by a more than 800 meter long double row of live oak trees, Oak Alley has been featured in movies and television shows ranging from Knight Rider and Primary Colors to the Young and the Restless and Django Unchained. Mary went on the OA guided indoor tour, while I grabbed my camera and enjoyed the beautiful outdoor weather and blissful photoremedy on the grounds of this spectacular National Historic Landmark. Highlights included:

Spectacular Mansion Views

Oak Alley Plantation – Vacherie, Louisiana

Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisian

Oak Alley Plantation – Vacherie, Louisiana

Somber Slave Quarter Shots (also featured in our February 8, 2015 post)

Oak Alley Plantation – Vacherie, Louisiana

Unique Trees and Vegetation

Oak Alley Plantation – Vacherie, Louisiana

Hometown Cajun Food (B & C Seafood)

Riverside Market and Cajun Seafood – Vacherie, Louisiana

I later learned that Oak Alley is known for its famous mint juleps. I’m not sure how we missed that, but it’s good to know we now have another reason to return to Louisiana!

Laura Plantation

Posted on April 18, 2015 by azgilstrap

Northwest of the magnificent New Orleans metropolitan area, mostly located along the fertile banks of the expansive Mississippi River, lie a number of lovingly restored historic mansions and plantation grounds. During our Louisiana trip this year, Mary and I were able to wade in the culture, history, and captivating photoremedy of this breathtaking region.

Laura Plantation – Near Vacherie, Louisiana

Our travels took us to three spectacular holdings. Our first stop was Laura Plantation – a restored historic Creole plantation near Vacherie, Louisiana. The photo opportunities–and guided tour–at Laura featured stories associated with the following.

The Plantation House

Laura Plantation

The End of Slavery

Laura Plantation

Laura’s Appointments, Trinkets, and Amenities

Laura Plantation

The Plantation Grounds and Other Structures

Laura Plantation Grounds

Laura Plantation Store

Laura Plantation -Maison de Reprise- Retirement Home

Our next post in this series will feature the famous antebellum mansion and historic grounds of Oak Alley Plantation.

Oak Alley Plantation in Vacherie, Louisiana

New Orleans French Quarter: The Incomplete Edition

Posted on March 27, 2015 by azgilstrap

This promises to be one of the most incomplete New Orleans French Quarter–also known as the Vieux Carré–photo essays ever constructed.

There’s nothing here about Bourbon Street at night. Because Mary and I didn’t walk around with eyes glued to a map or with ears focused on a live tourist guide, I have no idea if the photos below are officially from the French Quarter, Bourbon Street, Royal Street, the French Market, or Downtown New Orleans.

Despite all of the deficiencies mentioned above, I adore visiting New Orleans and I loved working on this post. New Orleans is, after all, more than just one of the most unique North American Cities. It’s one of the world’s most intriguing, diverse destinations. From spicy and spiritual to Cajun and Creole, New Orleans is both historic and contemporary.

Saint Louis Cathedral – New Orleans

Lithuanian-American writer Ruta Sepetys offers one of the best short explanations of what makes the Big Easy so interesting. “Its cultural diversity is woven into the food, the music, the architecture – even the local superstitions, Sepetys has been quoted as saying. “It’s a sensory experience on all levels and there’s a story lurking around every corner.”

Greg W. Gilstrap in New Orleans

Mary Gilstrap in New Orleans

Mary and I stopped long enough to capture images of each other while near the French Market. It is important to note that the photo of Mary did not need much “touch up.” The picture of me, however, took a long time to develop. We snapped the photos just after having the famous chicory coffee and powdered sugar covered beignets at Café du Monde. To no surprise to those who know me, it took a very long time to electronically remove the “more than significant’ amount of powdered sugar that covered my black jacket. Yes, the beignets were wonderful; we were in such a hurry to devour them that I forgot to take any Café du Monde photos.

I guess that means we will have to go back!

🙂

The Glorious Garden District

Posted on March 21, 2015 by azgilstrap

If the eclectic French Quarter is New Orleans’ bass trombone, the Garden District–it seems to me–is the sensual master’s breath that sweetly fuels the one of a kind tone that effortlessly flows from the “T-bone.”

New Orleans Garden District

During our January Louisiana trip, we made our Big Easy hub a “period perfect” boutique hotel at the edge of the Garden District. We took numerous casual strolls where we enjoyed a sui generis neighborhood coffee shop, fine cajun and creole dining, interesting architecture, and remarkable historic homes. It was an awesome leisurely adventure that provided just the right amount of photoremedy. The Garden District was, arguably, a perfect base for our trip; intermittent showers even added to the extraordinary atmosphere we enjoyed there.

Magnolia Mansion

New Orleans Garden District

Krewe du Brew – St. Charles Street (New Orleans)

Krewe du Brew Coffee

New Orleans Garden District

Commander’s Palace

25-cent Martini at Commander’s Palace

New Orleans Garden District

Outside of Prytania Street Inn

New Orleans Garden District

New Orleans Garden District

As an added bonus, most of the Garden District lodging is near the iconic New Orleans streetcars that offer easy access to destinations in the Garden and University Districts, as well as to Downtown New Orleans and the French Quarter.

Saint Charles St Streetcar

Saint Charles St Streetcar Tracks

Saint Charles St Streetcar

Downtown and the Quarter are must see–and experience–areas in New Orleans. I’ll be pursuing photoremedy and offering additional details about these areas in my next post. Cheers!

New Orleans

Louisiana 101

Posted on February 8, 2015 by azgilstrap

I must admit I’ve struggled in putting together Photoremedy post number 101. Why? Because Louisiana is one of the most colorful and genuinely unique places Mary and I have visited. We delighted in the enchanting aroma of history and spice found as we pursued photoremedy in eclectic places from low-key Jeanerette to the authentic New Orleans Garden District to the celebrated French Quarter.

St. Louis Cathedral – New Orleans, LA

Krewe du Brew – St. Charles Street (New Orleans)

Historic LeJeune’s Bakery -Jeanerette, LA

Digital Art Based on Garden District’s Prytania Street

Volumes can be–and have been–written about the cultural gems of Louisiana. I found, however, that the place that most etched an enduring mark was the one that left me grasping to find the right words: the renowned Oak Alley plantation.

Oak Alley Plantation – Vacherie, LA

Ironically it wasn’t the beautiful people, lush vegetation or much-photographed Oak Alley Big House that took my breath away. It was the direct manner in which the attraction addressed the overwhelmingly somber aspect of its history – slavery.

Oak Alley Permanent Enslaved Community Exhibit

Digital Photographic Art based on Oak Alley Permanent Enslaved Community Exhibit

Oak Alley Permanent Enslaved Community Exhibit

This blog is intentionally more about photography than words. Nevertheless, I struggled in identifying the photos I took that best describe how this exhibit seemed to painfully sandblast my heart, while leaving me strangely satisfied. In the final analysis, this unusual mix of emotions was based on the relief of sensing that plantation attractions like Oak Alley have joined those of us wanting to guarantee that such an appalling part of history is never repeated (at home or abroad).

Get In The Game

Posted on January 23, 2015 by azgilstrap

The last month has featured a generous supply of photoremedy opportunities for me, and they came in a couple of my favorite categories – kids and travel.

I almost opted out of the first photo opp–the baptism of our lovable grandson, Daniel–due to unrelenting back pain. I am, however, quite thankful that Andrew (Daniel’s Dad) wouldn’t let me sit on the sidelines. He basically told me, “Bring your camera and get in the game.” Taking and developing the photos briefly took my mind off the pain, which is what photoremedy is all about. It just took Andrew to remind me. Plus, what’s not to love about being front and center for such a blessed sacrament for such a special little dude?

Partially aided by $29 one way January flights on Frontier Airlines, my back problems quieted down enough for Mary and I to take a leisurely tour of places we wanted to experience in Louisiana. It will take awhile for me to develop all of the photos as I’m struggling to spend much time at the computer at one time and I have another back “procedure” schedule for February. But, here’s a sample of what’s coming up here on photoremedy.

Garden District, New Orleans

Houmas House – Darrow, LA.

Laura Plantation – Vacherie, LA.

St. Edward Cemetery – New Iberia, LA.

Duffy’s Diner – New Iberia, LA.

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Tag Archives: Louisiana

Oak Alley Plantation

Laura Plantation

New Orleans French Quarter: The Incomplete Edition

The Glorious Garden District

Louisiana 101

Get In The Game