Day Tripping
Trampled Rose Ranch- Ponchatoula
For our first DayTripping ride, we
went to the Trampled Rose Ranch, a Bed
and Breakfast in Ponchatoula, right off
of Highway 22. This is a great trip from
almost any direction. Highway 22 runs from
Mandeville in St. Tamminy Parish to Sorento
in Ascension Parish. This is a curvy, two-lane
road for most of it’s length. For those that
prefer, the Ranch is only a couple miles from
the 445 exit from I-12. From my house, it
was a short 30 mile trip down Highway 445
to the intersection of 22.
Trampled Rose is a converted barn set on
3 acres, on a gravel road, and it backs up to
a swamp. If you are looking for a getaway in
the coutry, this is the place. Holly Williams
is the proprietor, and she lives at the ranch
with all of her animals. You would expect
a place like this to have chickens and dogs,
and it does, but there is a lot more. A herd of Nigerian Dwarf goats lives behind the house. These are small dairy
goats, and Holly says they are expecting their first set of kids soon. In the yard with the goats, you will also find a
pair of small Juliana pigs. These are expected to reach a maximum size of 60 pounds, but they are pretty small now.
A couple crested White Pekin ducks are wandering around there, too. In a separate coop and run nearby, a couple
dozen assorted chickens provide eggs in a variety of sizes and colors for the bed and breakfast. There is a pond
further back, which will eventually be home to the ducks, and will be stocked with catfish. It is also home to the
occasion small alligator that wanders in from the swamp.
Inside the house, there are more dogs, and Jonesy the
Squirrel.
The three guestrooms are decorated in a literary
theme, with rooms dedicated to Dorothy Parker, Jack
Kerouac, and Charles Bukowski. Plan to spend time in
the common areas with Holly, discussing music, art,
literature, animals... Any topic at all.
It’s just a short ride to Lee’s Landing on the Tangipahoa
River, and nearby Ponchatoula offers bars, restaurants,
and many antique stores. Holly will show you around
if she isn’t working at her other business, The Tooth
and Nail Trading Company on Magazine St, in New
Orleans, or making jewelry as Small Change Finery.
Wherever you’re coming from, this is going to be a
nice ride. Visit the local attractions, or stay at the ranch
and relax around a fire or in the hot tub, play with the
animals, have a drink and enjoy some eggs fresh from
the coop. It’s a great place to be.
Hilari Dawn
(504) 264-1077
Trampled Rose Ranch Bed & Breakfast
Ponchatoula, Louisiana
[email protected]
Book through http://www.airbnb.com
or find them on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/trampledroseranch
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