A day in New Orleans

My husband and I decided to take a cruise out of New Orleans and came in one day before the departure to enjoy some time in the French Quarter. Unfortunately the weather did not cooperate.


The only place I could safely pull out my camera was in doorways of courtyards.


Occasionally the rain would slacken enough for me to use my hood to protect the camera, as I did here along the Mississippi river.


We decided to go to the New Orleans aquarium -- as did a thousand or more other folks.

It was fascinating to watch the divers cleaning the tanks and checking the coral and fish.

Colorful fish were very difficult to capture without a tripod, but I did my best to steady the camera against the edge of the tank or a nearby post. I would LOVE to have a saltwater aquarium again.

Such lovely tanks and fish.

I'll definitely put a large aquarium on my list of things to buy when I hit the lottery!

Bellingrath Gardens

There are a few places that I love to visit off-island. One of them is Bellingrath Gardens in Theodore, Alabama, just west of Mobile. From my home it is approximately 90 miles (1 1/2 hour drive), so it's perfect for a day trip. I hope you enjoy photos of the garden. We are not allowed to take photos in the home. At the end of the post you will find links to more information about the house and its history.


Dozens of varieties and colors of roses. Their sweet fragrance greets you before you even enter the rose garden itself.


Entrance to the Bellingrath's rose garden.

Old brick...

Row after row, hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers...


Pink single rose...


Unfolding...

Each color became my favorite as I'd walk by...how fickle of me. How understandable once you visit this beautiful garden.

A sea of pink roses, delightfully fragrant.

Red roses climbing a white trellis, very dramatic.

Purple mandevilla.


I realize now I should have taken notes so you'd know the names of these lovely roses.


Walkway into the conservatory.


How beautiful! I believe this is a jacobina


A large staghorn fern.


Vibrant color...


A hanging basket...


Dozens of shrimp plants in bloom.


Oooohhh....what is this?


Unusual orchids...


Various shapes...


A beauiful blue hydrangea...


Delphiniums...


Snapdragons...

Even the edgings of walkways were delightful...

Hanging baskets of petunias and pathway plantings being watered.


An oakleaf hydrangea...


A very delicate-looking beauty, which reminds me of weddings.


Fountain Plaza.


Leading to the mermaid fountain....


Closer....

Closer...

Stunning views of the Fowl River from the East Terrace.


and a series of steps and terraces take you down to the grotto...


with its peaceful, cool waterfall...


then on to the river pavillon.


Far end of Mirror Lake.

The foot bridge and baskets of geraniums.

Tiny waterfalls here and there in the Rockery.


Some full of bright colored goldfish or koi.

Pots of pink hydrangeas.

Across the hill to Mirror Lake...

And a closer view which makes you realize the appropriate name.

Hmmm...someone else enjoys the garden as much as me. Click on the photo and you'll see he's chowing down, that wascally wabbit!

Walkways along the garden.

To read more about the history of Bellingrath Gardens you may click here.

To learn more about the extraordinary people who build it, click here.