Road Trip Through the Heartland | A Cross-US Self-Drive Journey

🌳 Oak Alley Plantation | A Glossy Facade with a Hidden Past After a night’s rest, we drove west along the Mississippi River in the early morning, heading toward Baton Rouge, the capital of Louisiana. Along the way, we made a stop at the famous Oak Alley Plantation—where we unexpectedly uncovered layers of the American South’s complex history... 💔 Beauty and Pain at Oak Alley This plantation lives up to its name: two rows of century-old oak trees stand solemnly along the path, their branches weaving together into a long green tunnel leading to the pristine white Southern mansion. It was so beautiful it took our breath away! Walking on the red bricks, we felt transported back in time.✨ Yet behind this elegance lies the legacy of slavery in the American South.✨ Once a thriving cotton plantation, Oak Alley relied heavily on the labor of enslaved Africans. Rows of preserved cabins behind the main house now display shackles, tools, and oral histories. The further we walked, the heavier our hearts felt.✨ As picturesque as a postcard, this land once witnessed unimaginable suffering. The preserved slave quarters, chains, and personal accounts reveal a painful history where beauty and brutality coexisted. ✨ Baton Rouge | The Low-Key State Capital After leaving Oak Alley, we headed straight to Baton Rouge, home of Louisiana State University! 🐯 The campus is famous for dominating NCAA sports championships—it’s huge, filled with classic Southern architecture, and the breeze by the lake makes you want to sit and daydream forever. We spotted plenty of bright-eyed students around—the sunshine was practically buzzing with youth!✨ 🏛 The Unique Louisiana State Capitol Our last stop before returning to New Orleans was the State Capitol. Unlike traditional domed government buildings, this one is designed in the style of the Empire State Building—striking and monumental.✨ We got lucky: it was a session day, and we got to see lawmakers debate issues in real life. This isn’t just a political hub—it’s a window into the state’s culture and values. Definitely worth a visit!✨ Next stop: back to New Orleans to explore the city’s French charm ✨ #USA #BatonRouge #OakAlleyPlantation #Louisiana