In need of a Mom fix

My Mom (Susan) & I on her birthday :)

So a few weeks ago, I was pretty much in need for my Mom to come and visit me. I knew it would be hard being away from family and friends, but after a month, ok maybe a few weeks it really started to hit me. I needed her to come down pronto. It was a perfect 6 days. We organized the apartment, she took me shopping to decorate the place to make it feel more like home, and I got to show her around our new town!

Before she came down, Greg and I talked about surprising her with a Swamp Tour. She is OBSESSED with the show Swamp People. So we thought she would really be surprised. I couldn't let her come down and not take her on a swamp tour. Now as a resident (yep, we had to get a new driver license, RIP WV one), we have a job to do here when people come and visit. Make sure they get a good feeling of this place, and have fun!

So Saturday morning we took her on a tour. She had a blast, and I just liked watching Greg and my Mom have fun. If you know me, this kind of thing isn't for me, but I did enjoy myself. I have to say that oddly I found the swamp a beautiful place - minus bugs, wasps, and the hot humid heat. I hear WV was more hot than LA a week ago.... welcome to our world! All in all we had a great time, and I recommend doing this with all our guest who are interested in seeing the outdoors of Louisiana.

Check out the hornet nest! Does the movie My Girl come to mind?

Yep, that's a marshmellow. Not only do they enjoy eating fish and people. They have a sweet tooth!

http://www.cajunencounters.com/swamp_tour.html

Next time we'll have to find Troy to take us out!

"I can't think about that right now. If I do, I'll go crazy. I'll think about that tomorrow." - Scarlett O' Hara

Lucky for me, Greg enjoys to drive and venture out into places he has never seen. I would probably not do it unless someone offered the suggestion. Don't get me wrong, I love to see things, but I'm not someone who really likes to drive. So it works out well. He drives, and I observe. So we took a "Sunday Drive" out to the Antebellum Mississippi River mansion in Vacherie, called Oak Alley Plantation. It was beautiful! It was like looking at a movie set from Gone With the Wind. Just a breathtaking view. We didn't go inside because it was like $20 dollars to get in, but maybe one day when our families come down to visit :) Or take anyone who is interested in looking at history! Here are a few pictures!

Look at the trees! I wonder how old they actually are? I'll ask when I visit!

A little bit of history and info about Oak Alley

People who spent $20 to tour...

"Take a good look my dear. It's an historic moment you can tell your grandchildren about - how you watched the Old South fall one night." - Rhett Butler. Actually the south is not falling. I just liked the quote!


http://www.oakalleyplantation.com/

We also drove out to get a good view of the Mississippi River. It's huge!

Later on in the week we were invited to a social gathering with his fellow co-workers at this place called The Columns Hotel. It's a bed and breakfast, along with a restaurant. I was on "Yelp" and saw that someone wrote that this was a good place to go and have a drink, and if we go to try the Mint Julep.

When my friend Mandie comes to visit me, this is someplace I want to take her. It reminds me of this New York bar she took me to that is based around the prohibition area. The Columns Hotel is also where Pretty Baby was filmed with Brooke Shields and Susan Sarandon. Which is weird because Tim Robbins owns the bar in New York I mentioned. I asked everyone who worked there if this place was haunted because it looks pretty creepy. Sadly they all said no...

I look like I enjoy the mint julep, but I don't. I'll stick with the mojito.

Pictures from the movie. If you notice the second picture going down with everyone sitting on the circular couch. It's still in the bar area.

The staircase with a beautiful stain glass roof. The front desk lady said to always stay on the 3rd floor. I suggest people who are older don't stay here. Lots of people hang out in the bar area. It's not a quiet place in my opinion, but really pretty!

The library. You can see the lady on the computer. I didn't even notice her when I took the picture.

 http://www.thecolumns.com/

Stay tuned for Swamp Tour photos!!!