Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Outdoor Wednesday - 2/18 - Tour of Natchitoches

Today is Outdoor Wednesday. I can't wait for Spring and to see all the lovely gardens you will share. After you take a quick tour of our fun day Monday, head over to see Susan at a Southern Daydreamer. I love how creative everyone has been during the winter season.

Monday, I shared a few pics of Natchitoches. I had to laugh at some of your comments on wondering how you say Natchitoches. Well, here you go!



If you live near enough to visit Natchitoches, it will certainly charm you. The City of Natchitoches is the oldest permanent settlement in the Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches was established in 1714 by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis.

This was as we were leaving Lasyone's where we had lunch. This is the Old Courthouse Museum. Originally the courthouse, it was completed in 1896 and covered to the Museum in 1996. I love the architecture. That's Mr. Dumpling on the far right.



All through town are these wonderful old street lights with gorgeous, lush baskets. The baskets are always beautiful with seasonal flowers.



To the right of Lasyone's is one of the numerous old HUGE live oaks. Oh, if I could have just one in my yard!



This is the view on Front Street. Notice the brick road. Cane River runs along Front Street. If you catch it at the right time, you can see the Northwestern State rowing team. Very picturesque!



Looking across the street from the River, you can see the beautiful iron work. The building on the corner is The Landing Restaurant. We make reservations every Christmas season at one of the tables in the window. You can see the beautiful Christmas lights, fireworks and strolling tourist. Magical!



The Tulip trees (as we call them) are just about gone but I found one to show you that still has lots of blooms:



During the summer months, Natchitoches is in bloom with crepe myrtles everywhere! Most are the stunning watermelon color. These are very old crepe myrtles and bloom in abundance! You don't see crepe myrtles trunks this large very often.



How about a lovely camellia bush/tree blooming in front of the NSU Alumini building?




Since Steel Magnolias was filmed here, how about a few of my favorite Ouiser quotes?




Ouiser Boudreaux: He is a boil on the butt of humanity!

[about the new mayor's wife dancing]
Clairee Belcher: Looks like two pigs fightin' under a blanket.

Ouiser Boudreaux: I'm not crazy, I've just been a very bad mood for the last 40 years!


32 comments:

Susan @ A Southern Daydreamer said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks for sharing your photos.Love the crape myrtles,camellias, and tulip trees!

Happy Outdoor Wednesday Judy Bug

Susan

Confessions of a Plate Addict said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh Judy Bug...I am still laughing! I loved the little pronunciation lesson! I had no idea that "Steel Magnolias" was filmed there and I also love Ouiser! One of my favorite Ouiser quotes is about what Southern women do when they get old...wear funny hats and grow tomatoes! That's what my grandmother did!! lol Have a great evening...Debbie

Glenda/MidSouth said... Best Blogger Tips

Thanks so much for the tour! Love the quotes! I have always liked crepe myrtles.
Glenda

Light and Voices said... Best Blogger Tips

I sometimes wear funny hats but instead of growing tomatoes I wear purple crocs with flowers painted on them! Old people get outrageous I guess. Love the post of Natchitoches.
Joyce

Judith said... Best Blogger Tips

what a beautiful place - no wonder you what to show it off - Judith

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Very nice - Thanks for the tour!

Stacey said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh my gosh, those pictures were beautiful. I bet it was steaming hot when you took them. :) Sweet summer time.

♥ Kathy said... Best Blogger Tips

The huge oaks are beautiful

The Quintessential Magpie said... Best Blogger Tips

Judy Bug, you have no idea how much I love Louisiana. My sister lived there FOREVER, and my niece still does. It just always makes me smile to see pictures of it. Thanks for sharing. I love the tulip tree which is also called a Japanese Magnolia... or so I thought. Tulip tree works for me, too! :-)

XO,

Sheila

Sue said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Judy Bug,
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures.
It has been sleeting and raining here today and these pictures have reminded me that spring can't be to far away. I love the quotes too.
Blessings,
Sue

Lois Christensen said... Best Blogger Tips

What beautiful pictures of a beautiful place!!! Love all the flowers in bloom! Thanks for sharing them!

Carla said... Best Blogger Tips

what an interesting post! Do you live close by? This is a place I would like to visit. When I see an old tree like that, I can't help but think it should have children climbing in it:)

C'est moi Claudette said... Best Blogger Tips

Cool Tour Judy Bug.
I did try some of those red beans and rice when we were there. The kids actually enjoyed the fried pickles.
I didn't know Steel Magnolia was filmed there.
Interested post.
Yes it's green there for sure.
Happy OW
Love Claudie
claudie.frid.com

Rose of Sharon said... Best Blogger Tips

What a gorgeous place! I love Steel Magnolias!

Happy Wednesday!

Sharon

Susan B said... Best Blogger Tips

Beautiful tour of Natchitoches. It looks like a lovely place. I love the pronunciation! I would have never of guessed that was the way to say it! I loved Steel Magnolias. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Tealady said... Best Blogger Tips

Oh, I loved this tour! One of my dear friends is from Natchitoches and she always talks about going home and eating all the wonderful food.

All the best, Lana

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Never, never, never would have known how to pronounce that name. That was a fun lesson to put at the beginning of your beautiful tour.

Kathy b

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said... Best Blogger Tips

What a charming and beautiful town, and I am so glad to know how to pronounce the name of it.
My favorite quote from Steel Magnolias was Ouiser saying, I'm not crazy, I've just been a very bad mood for the last 40 years! I've even borrowed that quote when I was talking about myself some times! Great post. laurie

Maisy said... Best Blogger Tips

Wow you have such a sweet, quaint, awesome downtown. The town I live in has a HUGE hospital and that is pretty much our downtown.
I love all your pics.
ps. Out Goodwill is hit or miss. Some are better than others. I love resale shops. I hit all of them at least 2x a week. Everyone has a hobby...that is mine. Now you know one of my secrets :)

Cami @ Creating Myself said... Best Blogger Tips

I would never have guessed the pronounciation! Lovely city....Happy Outdoor Wednesday!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

I have been pronouncing it phonetically all this time! My grandmother used to live in Pineville, LA, and I remember seeing signs for Natchitoches, but I don't think I was ever actually there.

Thanks for stopping by my blog! I see we are in similar stages of life. I have been married for 29 years and our oldest two are due to leave the nest this year, leaving one teen-ager to keep us company for a while longer.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said... Best Blogger Tips

What a fun trip today girl...and I had not a clue that my all time favorite movie was filmed there and girl I know every word in that movie I have watched it so many times...My favirote part was at the cemetary...We have a tulip tree and I love it girl..and the nursery said it would't grow at 3000 ft but it loves it here..thanks for sharing...hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said... Best Blogger Tips

Judy bug do you care if I add you to my list?? to follow...Gl♥ria

Elizabeth-Plain and Simple said... Best Blogger Tips

Loved the tour and I love the photos, especially the one of the camellia bush/tree. It is one of my favorite bushes. Thanks for sharing your trip.

Blessings,
Elizabeth

Beth at Aunties said... Best Blogger Tips

I really enjoyed the tour of the town, pronouncing the name and the flowers are gorgeous.

Ouiser was a hoot! The'boil on the butt of hunmanity' is one of MR B. favorite quotes from a movie~! He laughed so hard:) Red face, tears and all.

Judy Bug, Thanks for sharing and thank for making me actually laugh out loud ...remembering one of our favorite movies,"Steel Magnolias!

Beth
♥♥♥

ellen b. said... Best Blogger Tips

Hi Judy Bug! I would have never guessed that pronounciation...
What a charming town. enjoy your evening...

Maryrose said... Best Blogger Tips

What a great town. After Outdoor Wednesday I need to get my note pad out to start a list of all the places I want to vist. Thanks for another one to add to my list. Maryrose

Kat said... Best Blogger Tips

This looks like a beautiful town. The crepe myrtles must be gorgeous in bloom. And the waterfront area just steals my heart. Oh and the courthouse, and . .. well, you get the idea lol. Great post. Kathy

Neabear said... Best Blogger Tips

This is beautiful! Makes me want to come and visit. I have never been to Lousiana. We call them "tulip trees" here too. They are still blooming. And we have crepe myrtles blooming usually in August around here. Also wanted to thank you for visiting my Pink Saturday!

Anonymous said... Best Blogger Tips

Beautiful! I am so jealous of the flowers and blooming trees. We are still suffering from cold, grey skies and occasional snow. I can't wait until spring......send a little to us, okay?

Jewel Sauls said... Best Blogger Tips

I have always wanted to visit and now I feel like I have! Thanks Judy Bug! :D Jewel

doylebailey said... Best Blogger Tips

Great job! We live here and I give tours. (Tour Natchitoches with Barbara). I love it when people get it right and tell the story of Natchitoches so well. My husband Doyle takes the photos for our website and really appreciates the marvelous photos you posted. You are a good ambassador for Natchitoches.