Our trip with our good friends...

 During the 4th of July weekend

we went on a trip to

Natchitoches, LA. with our friends

Michele and Leo Smith.

On the way, we stopped at Hodges Gardens.
 We enjoyed the beautiful waterfalls....

...and lots of flowers.

Some fun little critters...

...and some not so little.

While we were at Natchitoches...we stopped in at

 Stephen Wanger's art gallery.

He makes these beautiful pictures of Louisiana from

recycled Mardi Gras beads. Oak Alley is just one of his

amazing works of art.  A lot of his work features scenes

from hurricane Katrina and the strength of the 

Louisiana spirit.

After getting in our traditional shopping spree of

downtown Natchitoches, we found

the perfect spot to watch the fireworks.

It was a perfect night...enjoying the company

 of fun friends in semi-low humidity.

The next day we went to the Alligator park 

on the outskirts of Natchitoches.

I wasn't really sure what to expect but

it wasn't this...this was amazing...

and it deserves its own post.

Come back in a couple of days and it will be ready

to amaze and astound!!!