We love to discover the little hidden jewels of history dotted throughout Southern Louisiana. One of which, the Plaquemine Lock Historic Site (near Baton Rouge), we visited last Friday. Our friends and fellow homeschooling family, the Lewis's, joined us on our learning trek. Now, I bet you're asking yourself, "What's a lock?"
I like to think of it as a gateway between two bodies of water. In this case, it's a gateway between the Mississippi River and Plaquemine Bayou, which ultimately leads to the Atchafalaya Basin (Louisiana's interior). In yesteryears, the Plaquemine Lock connected a booming route of commerce for the heavy logging of Cypress trees in the basin, not to mention a nice shortcut from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. It was closed in the early 1960s after a bigger, wider port (Port Allen) opened 10 miles north of Plaquemine.
Boiling off the excess water from the sugarcane juice
Sadie and Aisling bundled up together in one coat
A put-put Bateau, used for catfishing in the swamps
and visited the Iberville Museum for a scavenger hunt through the past and a close-up view of Mardi Gras king and queen costumes. 
Look at the size of that cape!
Afterwards, the kids (and some of the adults) enjoyed rolling down the hills surrounding the beautiful grounds.
Before the big rolling race: Cole, Aisling, and Sadie
We also discovered a nice surprise this year while standing at the top of the hill (levee) overlooking the Mississippi River:
Two barges navigating a turn in the Mississippi River
A beautiful bank of fine, white sand!
Aisling, Sadie, & Cole enjoying the feel of sand between their toes as Trevor watches from above.
What a cool guy
Aisling, Sadie, and Cody exploring the "beach" and searching for clams
Cole, Sadie, and Aisling digging in the sand.
Aisling and Sadie dancing for joy!
And walking a little further down the bank, Trevor discovered a shipwreck! We're guessing this boat was destroyed by Hurricane Gustav earlier this year.
What a great and exciting day of learning and discovery!
I like to think of it as a gateway between two bodies of water. In this case, it's a gateway between the Mississippi River and Plaquemine Bayou, which ultimately leads to the Atchafalaya Basin (Louisiana's interior). In yesteryears, the Plaquemine Lock connected a booming route of commerce for the heavy logging of Cypress trees in the basin, not to mention a nice shortcut from the Mississippi River to the Gulf of Mexico. It was closed in the early 1960s after a bigger, wider port (Port Allen) opened 10 miles north of Plaquemine.
Plaquemine Lock and lockhouse
Lock channel and surrounding park grounds
Lock channel and surrounding park groundsEvery year, the Plaquemine Lock Historic Site sponsors a homeschool day in November. We homeschooling families eagerly visit the lock and learn about past and present Louisiana heritage, industry, and culture. This year we learned how to make different fishing nets and how to make sugar from sugarcane,
Boiling off the excess water from the sugarcane juice
Sadie and Aisling bundled up together in one coat
discussed the different types of boats used in the swamplands and various fishing activities,
A put-put Bateau, used for catfishing in the swamps
and visited the Iberville Museum for a scavenger hunt through the past and a close-up view of Mardi Gras king and queen costumes.
Look at the size of that cape!
Afterwards, the kids (and some of the adults) enjoyed rolling down the hills surrounding the beautiful grounds.
Before the big rolling race: Cole, Aisling, and Sadie
We also discovered a nice surprise this year while standing at the top of the hill (levee) overlooking the Mississippi River:
Two barges navigating a turn in the Mississippi RiverA beautiful bank of fine, white sand!
Aisling, Sadie, & Cole enjoying the feel of sand between their toes as Trevor watches from above. 
What a cool guy
Aisling, Sadie, and Cody exploring the "beach" and searching for clams
Cole, Sadie, and Aisling digging in the sand.
Aisling and Sadie dancing for joy!And walking a little further down the bank, Trevor discovered a shipwreck! We're guessing this boat was destroyed by Hurricane Gustav earlier this year.
What a great and exciting day of learning and discovery!
Sadie, Trevor, Aisling, Cole, and Cody exploring the waterline of the Mississippi.
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