Sunday, December 02, 2012

Meandering


We've been having one of the warmest, prettiest autumns that I can remember here in New Orleans this year. So Steve and I decided to spend some time exploring more of the old historic sites in the area.


First up was Port Hudson. Yes, it's another Civil War battlefield (for trivia buffs, it was the longest military siege in American history). But there isn't much left to see today beyond some overgrown old earthworks and a cemetery (thousands of men died here). Now it's probably best known for its hiking trails--miles of them, up and down a series of bluffs and ravines that would not have been fun to fight over.


A good way to work off any Thanksgiving excesses!


Next up was Centenary College in Jackson, Louisiana. Also another battle site, this one lies just a few miles to the west of our lake house. Once, Centenary College was one of the grandest liberal arts colleges outside of New England. In fact, its main academic building was actually the largest in the country.


All that's left today is the west dormitory, and another graveyard (the college was turned into a military hospital during the Civil War).


Once, there were so many colleges, preparatory schools, and finishing schools in Jackson that it was known as the "Athens of the South." No longer...



9 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Lana has been getting out and taking a lot of pictures of local parks as well. I've gone with her when I can but she goes during the week too when I am at work. She's been posting quite a few of her pics on facebook. She also takes pics of me staring off into distance, just like Steve in some of these pics. :)

Jan Power said...

How beautiful, and you have a touch of fall. I did not know that about the siege. Wow.

We also meandered to a battlefield on Saturday to fulfill a bucket list wish to see the Antietam Illumination. 23,000 luminarias are set out for each casualty in remembrance of the costliest one day's battle in US history. It is truly overwhelming, I blubbered throughout the mournful procession of thousands of cars paying their respects. If you ever get the chance to go, grab it.

Anonymous said...

It looks just beautiful actually. Back on the cover topic though. I hate to have to be the one to break it to you, but both Amazon and Barnes and Noble have posted the pic with the light fixture. It's so small, I'm sure most won't see it, but you may want to have your publishers switch out the pic. Sabena

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Liz said...

Just love your tour of the historic South. It's a part of the U.S. I've never visited (I don't like heat), but so fascinating, especially to someone (like me) who lives a couple of minutes away from a UNESCO World Heritage site. Must get down there some day, maybe in your winter!

cs harris said...

Charles, y'all are very useful!

Jan, that sounds heart-rending. Must have been very chilling.

Sabena, I'll have to let her know. It's neverending...

Liz, Steve and I both agreed we would not have wanted to make that hike in the summer. What site are you near?

Liz said...

Candy,
I live a short walk from the British fortifications in Kingston, ON, which together with the Rideau Canal system are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lots of photos on my own blog, including some I took last July of a mock naval battle on the anniversary of the start of the War of 1812. Love the history, but I'm glad to live in the 21stC, especially in winter!

cs harris said...

Liz, that must have been something to see! I see you knit, and very prolifically. I'm in awe; I could never keep my tension even, and I was always dropping stitches.

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