If I were to run away from the world...
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And if I were to fall asleep for 20 years...
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This is where I would wish to lay...
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Curled up on the green grass under the moss covered oaks near the banks of Lake Peigneur.
After all, it did happen to
Rip Van Winkle,
didn't it?
Well...That's the story that I heard.
(Mind you, all stories told in Louisiana are BIG stories)
He escaped to the mountain top for refuge from his nagging wife...
(um hum)
He had a few drinks and fell quietly to sleep...
(yes he did)
for 20 years!
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Only it's not "really" true.
It's just a fictional short story that was written in 1819 by the acclaimed author Washington Irving.
The role of Rip Van Winkle, which was played by aspiring actor Joseph Jefferson, made Mr. Jefferson a very wealthy man.
Mr. Jefferson acquired Orange Island in 1869, built his winter "home away from home" and spent the next 36 winters hunting and fishing and enjoying all of what the South had to offer him...until his death in 1905.
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Showing signs of age but never losing it's grace, the mansion was sold some 12 years later.
After a few decades, the new owners properly renamed it
"Rip Van Winkle Gardens".
Even the name of the island was changed from "Orange Island" to the most fitting "Jefferson Island" in honor of the man who made all of this possible.
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As I stood here in front of the mansion, I closed my eyes and imagined what it would feel like to sleep for 20 years, only to wake up to this beautiful site.
Maybe this story isn't fictional after all.
If Rip Van Winkle Joseph Jefferson were to wake up today, not a thing has changed in almost 150 years.
Imagine that.
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Well, let me rephrase what I just said.
Maybe a "few" things have changed since...
like the automobiles! ;)
The Man and I, along with MANY of our Corvette friends spent Valentine's Day together on Jefferson Island.
We had a beautiful lunch at Cafe Jefferson...
Walked the beautiful gardens...
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And enjoyed the gorgeous weather.
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As for me?
Many times during my walk through the gardens did I close my eyes and just imagine.
Many times did I smile and think of how lucky I am to have these beautiful places to visit with good friends.
All right here in my backyard...
I just LOVE Louisiana!
Hope you had a wonderful Valentine's Day where ever you were too!!!
39 comments:
Thanks for sweeping me up in a beautiful Louisiana daydream, Jodie...what a gorgeous spot! I could DEFINITELY take a nap under one of those beautiful trees...!
Julie
What a lovely post Jodie...simply breathtaking in my winter world. Blessings to you!
Dear Jodie,
oh how fantastic a place, and that mansion is like looking at a fairytale-where the prince will soon arrive to take you away-
well I guess your own prince did that ,after a beautifull day ,lol
Big hug, Dorthe
Love seeing beautiful Louisiana. Breathtakingly gorgeous....I must get there some day. Happy Be-lated Valentine's Day...looks like you had a lovely one.
Hugs~Hope
Thanks for sharing that... love the pics and as a native Louisianian, I love Louisiana too!
You are a Louisiana Girl!!!! With love from a Jersey Girl!!!!
Gorgeous walk thru the Gardens! Loved seeing all of the beauty and hearing the story:) Have a blessed day dear Jodie! HUGS!
I imagine Mr. Jefferson was to the 1860's crowd what Mr. Pitt is to the 2000's to have been able to build a little getaway like that!
It's beautiful...all of it.
Debbie
P.S. BTW...in-between your gallivantin' around...have you been taking a little nap with ol' Rip? I sure do miss you!
Jodie ~
Oh my gosh what a beautiful
area and a fun trip !!
Thank you for sharing
with us!
xoxo
Lori
It looks lush and beautiful there. Glad you had a good time! And keep in mind, Rip Van Winkle took place up in my neck of the woods! We live right on the edge of the Catskill Mountains, where Rip took his long nap!
xo
Claudia
Wow, it really is beautiful! Thanks for sharing this with us!
I've missed you Jodie! I kept checking for new posts and wondering where you had been.
What a beautiful place you visited - it really looks idyllic (and WARM). Glad you had a wonderful visit.
Here, we've just been happy for some milder temperatures (which means 40s for here at this time of year) to melt most of the snow that we received. Still have ugly, dirty, ice mountains of snow but they're going, ever so slowly.
Glad to see you back,
Linda :)
What a beautiful way to spend Valentine's, girl.
Hugz, Z
Oh my sweet friend, Thank you so much for this wonderful little post.. I would love to visit such a beautiful place.. Looks like heaven to me.. Some day I will!! Hope you are having a wonderful day!!
Hugs, Linda
Hey Jodie Girl
Nice to see you posting again, I missed you
This place is so lovely...I am so glad you had such a great time there.
Many Blessings
Rebecca
What a beautiful place rich with history. You are lucky to live close to places such as this. Where have you been girl? Please don't say taking a blog nap. I have missed you!
xo,
Danielle
What a gorgeous place! I love historical places like that to visit. Glad you had a great time.
Wow...What a Beautiful place...I'll be adding it to my wish list of places to visit someday! I don't know if I would have closed my eyes...I would be afraid to miss one second of it!!
Just gorgeous. Looks like a beautiful place to spend some time with your true love on Valentines Day!
Looks like a great time!
Love that sporty little car...
YAY! Karen
Hey Jodie, I was beginning to think you HAD gone to sleep for 20 years. Welcome back to the land of the living. lol.
Blessings
Hi Jodie! What a beautiful place! My husband and I love exploring gorgeous places like that!
Thanks for sharing this beautiful spot today. I've not been to Louisiana...but I am gonna' make it someday!
Xo
Jo
What a gorgeous place that is! I'd love to see the historical parts of Louisiana. :-)
Beautiful! I was about ready to call and see if Rip Van had taken you hostage. Thank goodness you are still awake and able to share your lovely state's history with us. Hopefully Rip didn't get caught up at a Daq Shack! Missed you, Love, Pam
Beautiful!!!
Hey Jodie girl! My dad used to have an office in New Iberia. We lived in Broussard at the time -- I was 12. Was this place even in operation then? Sure is beautiful! Thanks for sharing! Best wishes and blessings, Tammy
Hello Jofi,
I haven't seen you in awhile and wanted to pop over to say hello!
Hope you are doing well!
Suzann ~xoxo~
Hi Jodie!!!
Sure did miss you! This place looks lovely and would be perfect for some much needed R&R!!
Hope all is well ~ and much, much warmer than here!!
Hey little sister,
I miss these posts. I think you ARE Rip. Having some Southern Comfort & sleeping only to find that nothing in blogland has changed. All of your friends are still here anxious to hear a story & see some pictures from our favorite storyteller. YOU! Love you, miss you. Now get in that car & drive over here to help me take care of your niece & nephews! Mama's about to lose it in a big way!
Lisa Marie
What a beautiful place to explore and relish the day in! Thanks for taking us on a fairytale tour. Hope you are doing great!
xxoo
Heidi
Hope you are just to busy having a wonderful life to find time to blog. Miss you.
VictorianGypsy
Jodie!
I've missed you. I came by to see what you've been up to. (You have the most charming posts, you know?)
Hope all is well, friend. xo.
Wow! What a very gorgeous garden! If I see this in my dreams, I rather choose to sleep for several years.
Your pictures are stunning! I love the whole garden and the balcony!
Hope all is well with you. Surely do miss your posts. Guess you are cooling your jets. Come back soon.
Oh my goodness~~Miss jodie!! Beautiful post!! I am going back fro a second look~~~
It makes my heart happy!!
xo
Kay Ellen
Gorgeous photos and story! I want to visit there some day! Hope your March is wonderful dear Jodie.
Hey Jodie....!
I see you haven't posted for a bit Lovey....I HOPE all is well over your way....!!!!!
I leave for Texas tomorrow & was wondering if you were going to Round Top....?
I MISSED you at Theresa's Blog Party in September & would LOVE the opportunity to catch up with ya'll....!
Cheers for now,
Tamarah :o)
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