Tuesday, January 24, 2012

All Along the River Road

My grandparents grew up along River Road or Hwy. 75 in Sunshine, La. They met, married, and raised their family there. The city was originally named "Forlorn Hope", but renamed in 1944. Across the street from all the homes on Hwy. 75 is a long and winding levee. It stays green most of the year, sprouting clover and other wildflowers in the warmer months. These are some photos I took on my drive the other day:
Snowy egrets looking for lunch behind the levee
Top of the levee
Too early for alligators, but this sure fooled me for a second!
Wildflowers growing on the levee
Nature's "crystal bowl" growing atop a fallen log

Because Baton Rouge has become so overcrowded due to hurricane Katrina, buyers are scooping up property in Sunshine and building some very nice homes. Still, my heart belongs to the decaying structures that were once beautiful decades ago. 



Oh, how I wanted to drive up and investigate the interior of this abandoned structure. Alas, I'm a rule follower and respected the sign.



Mama took me here when I was a young girl and said I could choose any cold drink I wanted.
Growing up I was not allowed to have soft drinks very often. My mother believed water was the healthiest choice. Spying a group of Dr. Pepper bottles sitting on a barrel of ice, I made my selection and enjoyed every sip. Even so, to this day I still drink mostly water.

This was the church that my mother grew up in just a couple miles from Sunshine in St. Gabriel. To the back of the property is the new, modern, brick church. Since the 1700s this church has survived many hurricanes, but in 2008 Hurricane Gustav destroyed the steeple. Looks like it has since been repaired.

Hope you enjoyed your tour along the River Road!

24 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

wasn't raised on sodas either - mostly drink water. :)

LOVE the rust you found here. that quanset hut type structure is so cool!!!

Anonymous said...

so much history in small towns...thanks for the tour!

beth said...

that first old place is SO ME !!....i love it !!
xo

Charlotte Wilson said...

Gail,
Talk about blooming where you are planted! You are so prolific here in LA! I am enjoying your walk down memory lane.
I am a coke girl myself...at least that is what my family in Maryland always craved. But the multi colored Nehi was always a welcome treat. Now I drink either ice tea or spring water.

Pat said...

Beautiful images recalling the history of this locale! A marvelous place to explore!

Unknown said...

I enjoyed this little stroll very much. What a wonderful place to visit. Oh that would have been so fun to jump the fence and take some close ups photos of those old buildings.. But like you I am a rule follower and would have done the same as you!!

Gorgeous photos my friend..

Hugs, Linda

Barbara said...

I did! I did! I love this stuff. Beautiful photos... so much to say about each one, but I especially love the old store and the church. So cool!

Karen @ Pieces of Contentment said...

Lovely captures of nature, history and memories. The snowy egrets look so white. Barthel Store a genuine piece of history.

Michelle said...

I enjoyed the tour...it's always nice to take a stroll down memory lane. I'll take water over soda any day. :)

Tricia said...

What a wonderful tour. It looks like there's so much history there. It seems like old building are few and far between around here.

Nancy said...

I imagine you've seen the landscape change drastically in your area since Katrina. I know exactly what you mean about the loss of identity when old structures are torn down.

Love that store -- we have one in our area that has been around for a long time, but is no longer open.

septembermom said...

Gail, I enjoyed my tour very much! Thank you! Beautiful images and images that suggest a story. I love your photography. I have to get back over at Write With Pictures to profile your photos again. They should be shared. Lovely!

Starla said...

I will probably never visit that part of the country, but your photos are the next best thing!!

Reena said...

Love the history tour ... would also love to see the interior of those buildings.

Nadine, Chewy and Lilibell said...

I agree with Starla, I'll probably never visit there (although I would love too!), so I'm enjoying seeing it through your pictures!

hootnonny said...

Sunshine is must prettier than the original name! Loved the tour of your old stomping grounds, as we say in Georgia!

Laura Delegal - Leroy Photography said...

Wow, thanks for letting me ride along with you, Gail. You've captured the essense of the community and the history too. Thanks for sharing.

Autumn said...

Ahh, memories! I will always hold a special place in my heart for Sunshine & St. Gabriel.

Tinygami said...

Your blog makes me want to come to Louisiana so bad and just spend a week taking pictures! Love everything about your photographs. They're beautiful, well composed and tell many stories.

BTW I just tagged you over on my blog :) http://theflirtyguide.blogspot.com/2012/01/blog-tag-youre-it.html

LadyFi said...

Wow - what a lovely place! Your photos are superb - I love them all!

Maureen said...

I agree with you, I love those old buildings, and that picket fence is to die for! Lovely photos, thanks for sharing.

Evelyn S. said...

Oh, I do love your Baton Rouge photos, Gail! I think the egrets are my favorite...the photo looks like a painting. Again--I'm so glad you're back!

Justine said...

thank you so much for that little glimpse into your life and such wonderful photographs, absolutely wonderful

Lisa Gordon said...

This looks like the perfect place for a camera Gail!
Wonderful images!