In the 1800s plantations lined both sides of the Mississippi River. Today, a few of the old plantations remain and are open to the public. The plantations we decided to visit today are on the south side of the Mississippi.

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The highway crossed the river using this suspension bridge.

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Evergreen Plantation is the most intact plantation complex in the south. Unfortunately, it's not open on Sundays so we could only view it from the road.

Oak Alley is what comes to mind when I think "plantation", so we decided to take the tour.

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The approach from the parking area to the house is from the rear. It even looks grand.

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This is the view you see as you walk around the house. It is referred to the as Alley of the Oaks. 28 Live Oaks in two equal rows spaced 80 feet apart were were planted between 1725 and 1750.

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The front of the house viewed through Oak Alley.

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This Greek Rival style house was built between 1837 and 1839 for Jacques Telesphore Roman and his bride Celina. Most of the basic building materials were found or manufactured on the plantation with finishing details imported from other parts of the United States and Europe. When the house was built the Mississippi could be seen from the balcony.

The house changed hands several times and was in disrepair when it was purchased by the Stewarts in 1925. Repairs and renovations cost more than the purchase price. Before her death Mrs. Stewart created a non-profit Foundation, which would be known as the Oak Alley Foundation, in order that the home and 25 acres of grounds would remain open for all to share.

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The main dining room and our guide. The object hanging above the table is a fan than could be swung to create a breeze so the diners would be more comfortable on a warm summer evening.

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The master bedroom. The cradle was hand carved.

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All changes done to the house were record on this door in the photo on the left. The photo on the right: The original staircase was circular and in a side room. The Stewarts add this staircase. It definitely was not the large circular staircase I imagined.

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A couple of the "younger" oaks --- they are only a 100 years old.

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This is the recreation of the blacksmith shop.

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Zaph and Cait came along for the ride.

To finish the plantation experience I tried a mint julep. Interesting drink but a little sweet for me.