The Louisiana Purchase - It was a Bargain

Louisiana has a rich and varied history; a fur trading center, Jefferson’s savvy acquisition, the Battle of New Orleans and one hundred and fifty years ago today its secession from the Union;  as well as its roles as the birthplace of jazz, as epicurean mecca and, of course, in Hurricane Katrina.


I fell under the spell of New Orleans (no Louisiana voodoo was involved) when we spent a long weekend there last October.  It was a first-time visit for 3 of us and my husband’s first trip back in more than 10 years. 


We especially appreciated the World War II Museum and a tour of the Katrina ravaged neighborhoods that are making some recovery. 


A quick side trip to Baton Rouge to see my husband’s old high school, Mike the Tiger at the LSU stadium and the Huey Long assassination site (no kidding) were fun too. 

Here are a few photographic highlights:

Jackson Square Park, with statue at center, and Saint Louis Cathedral

Fats Domino's house

A beautiful home  in the Garden District.

 

The inside is not as nice as the outside, but Hansen's is not to be missed.  Delicious!

Our kids on a stone bridge in New Orleans' City Park.

My husband at his Alma Mater.  "Look here, we're great.  We're the class of '78."