Out and About

Tommy and I went to Zachary, Louisiana over the weekend to listen to some music at Teddy's Juke Joint, which is described as the last authentic juke joint on the old Highway 61, also known as The Blues Highway. It's located in an old shotgun house, and it's everything a juke joint ought to be. Teddy, the proprietor, was there, all dressed up in his hat and signature blue cape, spinning records between sets while his wife, Miss Nancy, served food and drinks. I had the fried catfish. Mmm!

We listened to some incredible Blues music by the Lil' Ray Neal Blues Band. Ray is an incredible guitarist who's played with some of the biggest Blues names around -- BB King, Bobby Blue Bland, Bobby Rush, and others.

On the way back home the next day, we stopped in St. Francisville, Louisiana and toured Rosedown Plantation. Built in 1834, it was the home of a wealthy cotton planter, Daniel Turnbull. It consisted of about 3,500 acres which was tended by nearly 500 slaves. The house fell into disrepair in later years, but was rescued in the 1970s by a wealthy oil heiress, who put $10 million into restoring the house and the formal gardens. It has 28 acres of formal gardens.

It is now the property of the State of Louisiana, and is one of the most fascinating tours I've ever taken. Much of the furniture in the house is original, and many of the family papers are displayed, giving guests a real peek into what life was like so many years ago. A thoroughly enjoyable trip.