ACL Missippi River Cruise: Begin trip to Mississippi River trip from Memphis to New Orleans on March 10, 2019

We flew into Memphis one day early to participate in a pre-trip visit to Elvis Presley's Graceland and adjacent Presley Enterprises' Exhibit Area on March 11, 2019. Double click to enlarge image or video.

Guest House at Graceland

1950's Cafe

Granddaughter Lisa Marie Presley now has title to Graceland

Video of my Graceland pictures:

Elvis and Parents

Elvis, Mother, Father and Grandmother are buried at Graceland

Elvis and sun Records Sam Phillips

Lorraine Motel and Martin Luther King Memorial

Video of guide Hanna and ACL Historian Jim Wilson:

Continue tour of Memphis (buildings):

Sun Records Building:

Saint Jude Hospital Foundation and founder actor Danny Thomas:

Queen of the River Boat before departing Memphis

Memphis

First Night Dan Knowles and Eddie Coffey video:

Historic Vicksburg Walking Excursion

Crape Myrtle Tree not yet in bloom but will have pink blossoms like different tree in the background

Gas Lamp

Old, original brick payment

Vicksburg Military Park Excursion

Second Night's Jazz Entertainment:

March 14, 2019 Natchez, MS

Longwood Plantation Video of second, never completed floor:

St. Francisville, LA and Rosedown Plantation:

Rosedown Plantation

Longwood (octagonal house never completed due to civil war) Plantation

Old, original cotton gin(erator)

500 pound bale of cotton

Another place (front gang plank) to dock because of high river water level

High water level at temporary dock location

Myrtles Plantation

Since cameras were not allowed inside, the following pictures were extracted from the Internet:

The video below was recorded but does not have an images:

Arrive Baton Rouge, LA

Jim's Bourbon briefing

Hourmas House and Plantation

Atchafalaya Basin Excursion

LA State Capitol Building

Tallest State Capitol in US. Site of assassination of Governor Huey P. Long in 1932

Museum located next to dock but had no time to visit

Houmas House

Garden Video:

Depart Baton Rouge and on to New Orleans

Sunrise view March 18, 2019 from our cabin

March 18, Oak Alley Plantation

The historic grounds and exhibits at Oak Alley Plantation reflect the evolution of this National Historic site. Visitors are encouraged to allow a minimum of 2 hours to explore the grounds and exhibits.

For hours & admissions, learn more HERE.

The Landscape

From its 28 Oaks to its open spaces, to its hidden nooks and crannies, Oak Alley’s Landscape tells the story of a plantation in its evolution. Wide pastures stand where a Pecan Grove once thrived. A 1920’s formal garden quietly preserves the remains of a 1830’s kitchen hidden under its turf. As a landscape that speaks truthfully of its past with the parts that remain, it offers visitors an unrestricted opportunity to detach, contemplate and imagine. (Insider tip: Come early before the crowds)

The Slavery Exhibit

Oak Alley as a sugar plantation was built by and relied on enslaved men, women and children. This self-guided exhibit focuses on some of the individuals who were owned and kept on the plantation, their lives and living conditions. It also includes a look into life after emancipation, as laborers continued to live in the increasingly squalid housing until the 20th century. (Insider’s tip: No time restrictions so feel free to allow at least an hour for this exhibit)

The "Big House"

Plantation mansions were called “Big Houses” referencing their relative difference in stature compared to the enslaved dwellings and other outbuildings that made up the sugar plantation complex. The ‘Big House’ at Oak Alley is no exception. Built with success, prestige and power in mind, the Oak Alley ‘Big House’ commands attention. (Insider’s tip: if a person in your party is unable to climb stairs, be sure to let your interpreter know. The 2nd floor portion of the visit is available on Ipad for mobility-challenged guests. Please also note that while photography is not permitted inside the mansion, visitors are encouraged to take photos on the balcony.)

The Sugarcane Exhibit & Theatre

With a 3 dimensional map of the Roman family empire and exhibit detailing how sugarcane was grown and processed—both when Oak Alley was an operating plantation as well as today—this space has lots to offer. (Insider’s Tip: Visit this exhibit before you reach the mansion, it is packed with stories of how the plantation functioned, as well as just how important slavery was to creating the plantation and the mansion you are about to tour.)