We Louisianians are a patient people waiting for colors along the bayou to strut their colorful stuff.
We’re aware our neighbors to the North actually get to experience seasonal foliage and fall colors before mid to late November.
Fall takes it time getting down to Louisiana, but when it does it stunningly shows its true colors along the bayou in perfect fall form.
I’ve yet to find a better way to take it all in than to hit the road with camera in hand, Dave the Builder at the wheel, and the words from the song “Drive South” defining the moment.
Come on baby drive South
With the one you love
Come on baby drive South
You can be guaranteed if it’s late November the locals will be wondering if the Ginkgo trees are showing off colors along the bayou.
This famous landmark Ginkgo tree has served as the picture perfect photo backdrop for generations of local residents.
This picture does not do justice to just how beautiful the colors along the bayou really are.
Decades old iron bridge railing has aged gracefully through the years.
Brick-lined streets, decorative ironwork and historical homes make a drive though the garden district a trip through time.
Further South down the road we go to another small town favorite, Lea’s Lunch Room.
Lea’s Lunch Room is known throughout the United States as the place for pie.
It’s a standing game day tradition to stop at Lea’s for one of their famous ham sandwiches and a piece of pie on the way to Tiger Stadium.
Recently Lea’s Lunchroom was listed in the USA TODAY Travel article “10 best: Delicious Pies around the South.”
All that driving and photographing works up an appetite, and it is the best excuse I know of to order up a ham sandwich and a slice of coconut pie with sky high meringue to-go, of course.
On the road again…
The Mary McCoy Big House stands steeped in history on the Solomon Northup Trail. The story of Solomon Northup was the subject of the film, 12 Years a Slave.
Photography by Sanjay N. Patel
Bayou Boeuf community and the parishes of Central Louisiana historically factor into the life of Solomon Northup.
When I was in college at LSU I used the Mary McCoy Big House as my thirty minutes to home mile marker.
Lots of history and beauty associated with this local landmark.
Like the leaves, the colors of the season are changing from browns and oranges to brighter reds and traditional greens.
This much needed road trip was all the detour needed to help me collect my thoughts and take a breather before the next season begins.
