The Acadian Trail

MuralTo walk the history of our Acadian ancestors from Acadie to south Louisiana at the Acadian Museum gives us a better appreciation of who we are as a people and a better understanding of the trials and hardships endured to make us who we are today.  Located in St Martinville, everything at the museum is presented in both English and French.  French is the second language of south Louisiana and for some Cajuns it is their first language.  Just as the English tried to destroy families during the exile from Acadie, schools from the 1920s to the 1960s tried to stop the use of Cajun French.  But Cajuns are a strong and proud people and our heritage is important so just as the English failed so the schools failed and the Cajun French language survived and is strong today.  We Cajuns are proud of our past and of our language. Continue reading

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LA 31 Biere

Knott brothersFounded on a simple dream – craft beer to complement Cajun and Creole food and life.  This dream was six years in the making and began when the brew master was stationed in Germany.  Each area of Europe has its own beer and cuisine which makes traveling through Europe a culinary delight.  Bayou Teche Brewing has brought that delight to Acadiana, pairing the unique foods and lifestyle of south Louisiana with its unique biere.  Continue reading

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Grand Isle, LA Birding Trail

Grand IsleGrand Isle, French for Big Island.  This big island at the end of LA 1 is about 8 miles long and up to 1 ½ miles wide with a resident population of about 1500.  This big island may be small but it is rich and big in history.  The first documented settlements began in the 1780s.  Jean Lafitte and his privateers were based on neighboring Grand Terre from 1805 to 1814.  There are still stories of “pirate’s treasure” on Grand Isle.  In the late 1800s Grand Isle became a summer resort and it continues to be so today.  Although the island has been repeatedly damaged by hurricanes including land lost, the resilience of the island and its people should be apparent to any visitor.  On our third annual Mardi Gras on Grand Isle we saw new construction, familiar faces, beaches and open waters calling our fishing poles. Continue reading

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Blue Sky – Calm Water

Dry landAs Laurie marveled at the quiet of the Bonnet Carre’ Spillway today, she remembered her view of the area in 2011 when the bays of the control structure were opened and the Mississippi River was gushing through.

Instead of flowing water, today there were people in the spillway biking, four wheeling, walking, and enjoying all sorts of outdoor activities. The blue skies, mild temperatures and dry weather had people thinking Spring and heading outdoors. Continue reading

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The Chocolate Café – Zachary, LA

Mini Cinnamon Bites and Chocolate Baklava

Mini Cinnamon Buns and Chocolate Baklava

When John approaches “the edge” Laurie knows he either needs food, caffeine or both.  So we’re driving around Zachary, LA mid-morning desperately searching for a coffee house.  Droid tells us, “no Starbucks, no CC’s (Community Coffee’s coffeehouses)…not much around.  Close to desperation John looked around and says, “The Chocolate Café”!  On the front was a neon Coffee sign – we’re parked and going in. Continue reading

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White Pelican Migration

Pelicans FloatingSnow on University Lake …it’s November in Louisiana…no way.

From a distance it looked like snow on University Lake in Baton Rouge, LA.  Cars on the interstate slowed to look at the lake and the moving white blob.  The white was White Pelicans on their southern migration.  The pelicans visit the lake each year to rest for a time during their journey. Continue reading

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Cypress Cafe – Bay St. Louis, MS

City HallLunch by the Bay is one of our favorite things to do when on the Coast.  Today was no different.  We went in search of the perfect café where we could sit outside looking out to the open water, feel the breeze and enjoy the salt air.  Only problem, the day was chilly and very windy; no sitting outside today. Continue reading

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