Autumn almost always means a little getaway for my sweet Mister and I. This year we have decided to do a little road trip into Louisiana (kind of a last minute, spur of the moment idea) and have booked an AirBNB for the first couple of nights in Natchitoches. In order to keep this account real, I need to share the confirmation email we received upon booking:
"Hello folks, welcome to Louisiana. Let me manage expectations a bit- I need to update Airbnb page. The approach road is full of potholes. Somehow related to Louisiana politics so that’s part of the tourist experience.
The house water smells like well water does. It is true, I can’t deny it.
The dogs bark at the pig when she comes in the doggie door, and when they hear something upstairs in your apartment (normally the swinging door into bathroom). This should last just an annoying moment or two.
Your apartment is reached via outside staircase. The motion lights are not yet lined up optimally so a flashlight is at foot of stairs. Nights are bright in the moonlight, but this week we have dark, star-filled mornings.
Oh yes, in fact the shower has only one temperature. I can adjust that. The heat control for air is on your wall.
I will leave your key on the table.
I’ll be at our flea market until 2 pm tomorrow. It is located at 121 Miller Drive, one mile from house.
You are welcome to come to the house anytime tomorrow. No need to wait for official check in time.
Lastly, I am the token white at a black full-gospel church across the street. As in fish-net stockings, big hats, best wigs, disco lights, and lots of dancing. The preacher is a prophet. Do you remember in Oh Brother Where Art Thou, the blind railman who prophesied the cow on the roof of the cotton house? He’s like that. Anyway, a fun 3-4hour service on Sunday and you are invited."
It appears that fun times are headed our way --- good thing we are always up for an adventure. As we drive away, one quick look at the colors surrounding our home. Now, let's get going. Fun lies ahead.
For the first time EVER -- Mister and I are home alone for Thanksgiving. A debate ensued as to what we should do, but the thought of no leftovers won out. We are cooking a complete dinner just for the two of us. Our turkey weighs 14 pounds and it looks amazing as I write this. A wine is selected from the cooler and since it's 10 years old, I believe it's time. This winery used to be in Deep Ellum here in Dallas but now has a great location in Hye, TX and still uses only Texas grapes.
Our day just keeps going and getting better. Now, we are at the Dallas Museum of Art for a new exhibit to enjoy. It is called speechless: different by design. per the DMA we can "explore the many ways in which we connect to the world around us through our senses in an exhibition of multi-sensory, interactive, and immersive experiences for visitors of all backgrounds and abilities." Mister is given a bag full of extra items to help us out along the way. The first exhibit is "sound of the earth chapter 2" by Yuri Suzuki. We laid our ears up against the ball and depending on where you stood, different sounds were heard. Each panel was unique and pleasant.
With the decision being made to arrive back home today, we adjust our route according to a few things spotted on Atlas Obscura. Off to Zavalla, TX we go, only to discover that I didn't do my research well enough and with the rain, it was a bad plan. At any rate, I locate a quilt shop to check out and Mister agrees. Locating it is a story all by itself and you can check it out in this Spotlight Post all about Ross Fabric and Crafts. It's worth a lookie, especially if you sew.
Leaving Opelousas this morning, the day is once again COLD. That's okay -- a car with seat warmers and a great attitude are all that we require. And coffee. Brew and Scoop - a coffee and ice cream spot - is today's winner. The order goes in and while we wait, a group of people sitting and chatting have me chuckling to myself. I'm not passing judgement here -- at all --- I just found it humorous that a mixed group (meaning men and women) were sitting and loudly discussing breast feeding pros and cons. Even Mister can't keep from smiling. The coffee is good - personally, I think it was better than yesterdays, but I'm still refining my palate.
It's another grand day in Louisiana. A bit chillier than I would like, but I hear it is that way back home too. Apparently the South is being hit with crazy cold temperatures for this time of year. We'll just make it work --- it's all about attitude, ya know.
Welcome Back to the afternoon! Hahaha --- we've had so much fun already and this day is going to keep going. It is our "Plantation Day." When we left Oakland, we followed the park ranger (for lack of a better title) over to Magnolia Plantation. The Park Service does not own the "Big House" here but other parts are remarkably well preserved. One of the first things we notice as we park is the row with many slave cabins still standing. We start at the plantation store, by getting a map of the area and are soon off and exploring. The store itself is not open for viewing like the one at Oakland was. Here it is used as an admin area.
Autumn almost always means a little getaway for my sweet Mister and I. This year we have decided to do a little road trip into Louisiana (kind of a last minute, spur of the moment idea) and have booked an AirBNB for the first couple of nights in Natchitoches. In order to keep this account real, I need to share the confirmation email we received upon booking:
