California love

Wondering where I was earlier this month?

Probably not.

But for those who care, I'll give you two guesses.

A lifetime dream fulfilled - cruisin' the Southern California freeway system --

The legendary Four Level interchange.

Freeways 'r pretty wide in these parts.

San Diego, America's finest city.

Like our Latino friends, I made a run for the border also.

Since I suck at taking pictures, this trip ends with the sands of lovely Newport Beach to grace our exit.

Counties collected: Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego

Freeways traveled: 5, 101, 405, 60, 91, 110 (interstate and state), 805, 15, 8, 52, 125, 55, 57, 22, 710, and last but not least 10 from the west terminus to Palm Springs

"So that's where I-10 winds up!" - My cousin Zeke who has never left Louisiana in his life

The wilds of Maurepas

Recently I had the opportunity to explore the wilderness of the lower Amite River basin, a land unpenetrated as yet by autos or substantive development:

Old State Cap!

A tour of the historic Old Louisiana State Capitol in downtown Baton Rouge, as of last week-end:



The central staircase spirals upward, with low hand railings befitting the smaller stature of 19th century folk.



The cathedral ceiling. I have a 1994 photo which is identical to this image; regrettably it is in analog format (boo hoo).




The bureaucratic offices were beyond these windows on the third floor (which is inaccessible to the public).



Entering the legislative chambers from the second story gallery.



The Senate Chamber. It was here that Huey Long was impeached, but sadly not convicted, in 1929.



The House chamber, more grandiose than the upper house in an interesting turn of design. This building served as the state's seat of government from 1850-1862 and from 1882-1932.




Government was much smaller back then:







Even then, the governor's office had all the perks, though:



Famous last words:

Hangin' with some G's on the westside

A collection of photos from various recent sojourns to the other side of the river.

West Baton Rouge Parish Courthouse, Port Allen:





Nottoway Plantation, White Castle:



















Old Plaquemine Lock:

Bippin' up Feliciana way

Last week-end's trip to the glorious Feliciana country and the distant Greenwood Plantation yielded these images:





















Low bridge! This is the low-water bridge on Solitude Road outside Saint Francisville.