Day 5 Breaux Bridge,Blue Dog then home...must all good things end? only till next trip

One thing we want to say about the Edgewater Inn, you shouldn't have very high hopes of the promised continental breakfast.  We decided to wait until we got to Breaux Bridge to eat.  We knew the Cafe Des Amis wouldn't have Cajun music playing at breakfast on a Monday morning.  They only do that on Saturdays.  Unfortunately, what we didn't know is that they are closed on Mondays.  What a disappointment.  We went a couple of doors down to Chez Jacqueline where owner Jacqueline herself was attempting to serve as chef, waitress and dishwasher.  She was very friendly and took the time to sit down at each table to get intimately acquainted with each person.  Which meant that no one was cooking while she was chatting.  Which meant that after we'd been there 30 minutes, she'd taken our order, but had never made it back to the kitchen to start cooking it.  When the real waitress arrived, we called her over and did the city thing: we told her we'd received an urgent phone call and had to rush off.  We paid for our coffee, and as we were leaving, we heard Jacqueline yell, "Thanks for telling me."

We meandered a while and took in some sights around charming downtown Breaux Bridge

 

 

 

I'd love to have one of these old iron pots

 

 

 

There was quite a bit of excitement in downtown Breaux Bridge that morning.  We'd finished meandering, as as we walked back to Main Street, we heard the sound of sirens - very loud and very close.  Motorcycle policemen blocked each street that intersected with Main.  Next thing, a big black limo appeared, and who jumped out to take his picture on the old bridge...none other than Hunter Hayes.  They were getting ready for the famous Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival, which takes place next weekend. For his fans, I'm sure you can't understand why we didn't try to get his autograph, but we had another fun treat ahead and rushed off to Lafayette. 

There we visited with Pat and Janet Brewster, dear friends of mine from my years of working at United Space Alliance.  We got to see their office, meet their staff, and hear of their exciting plans for expansion of their business. 

Janet took us out to lunch at the Blue Dog Cafe.  Delicious!  We'll be back again, soon.  But we're definitely to attend the International Festival next year. 

 

That brings us to the end of our trip.  We stopped to visit my sweet Mom for a little while as we drove through Lake Charles, and made a relaxed uneventful trip back to Seabrook.  What fun we've had making memories...until next time. Laissez Bon Temps Rouler!

Day 4 - FINALLY made it to NOLA!

Breakfast at the Camellia Grill


Short wait - we lucked out! everyone else is at the Jazz Fest
 

This place serves the best breakfast EVER!  Forget the calories! Just enjoy the food, the ambiance and people-watching.  I didn't make the CPC - Clean Plate Crew.  The omlette was delicious, but just too much (or maybe I filled up on the hash browns, which were cooked just the way I like them).  Dawn, how were those pecan pancakes? 



I love this!



They let me in the kitchen - BIG mistake!



It took me a while to scramble all these eggs



 



 

It was great fun riding on the St. Charles streetcar. It let us out on Canal just as the clouds darkened and we felt a few drops of rain.

Guess who we ran into fight before the rain?  Forrest.  Forrest Gump.  We had so much in common.  He and I discussed all the wisdom our Mamas had shared with us.

"That's what my mama told me too!"



 

About that time, the skies opened up and the rain poured down.  I'm sure there were many, many people terrifically disappointed by the delay of the morning session of the Jazz Fest, but it didn't faze us a bit.  We rushed to the French Market, pausing only to partake of our second meal of the day, a bloody Mary.  We decided all those veggies counted as a salad.

We meandered through the market, happy for the covered shopping area.  This portion of our journey turned into the working part of the trip.  We talked with several of the vendors about the possibility of a business relationship for our forthcoming upcale on-line boutique adventure, Zelda - Be Legendary. (I know you'll want to hear ALL about it; just ask one of us.) 

The skies soon cleared and we enjoyed more shopping.  Veronica bought a stylish pink hat!  Doesn't she look lovely!



Pit stop at the Omni Hotel...only the finest Ladies Rooms will do

We had a muffaletta (meal 3) at Frank's, then beignets at Cafe du Monde (meal 4) and stopped in at Aunt Sally's Pralines (we only counted the free samples as a snack).  Realizing we needed a little culture on this trip, we walked a couple of blocks down St. Louis to the museum, Hermann-Grima House, a plantation home built in the early 1800's, which once occupied an entire city block.  Unfortunately, it was closed.  Dang it.  It's one of my favorite places near the Vieux Carre'.

We were slow to leave the Cresent City, but we knew this was our last night on the road and a treat was in store.  We headed west out of NOLA on I-10. Our destination, Henderson.  We'd planned to be brave and stay in a houseboat that is towed out into the middle of the Atchfalaya...



This is where we'll stay next time

...but I waited too long to make reservations.  Instead, we drove to Pat's Fisherman's Wharf for dinner (meal 5) and a night at their new Edgewater Inn. 



Dinner was delicious (as always).  Veronica was adventerous (as always) and ordered turtle soup.  She and Dawn swooned over the raw oysters.  I had the biggest stuffed shrimp ever.  All the while we listened to live Cajun music coming from the Atchafalaya Club next door.



Sunset on Henderson Swamp

The hotel was interesting. Only two other rooms were occupied. Ms Flo was our sweet Cajun hostess.  She had a little bedroom behind the front desk, smoked like a chimney, and wore a hot pink moo-moo. 

Day 3 Cypremort Point to Slidell via Abita Springs

Another early morning - we all agreed we could sleep when we get home - and on the road by 9:30 (I know, I know...my "morning" friends would scoff at the idea that 9:30 is early).  Friends Tac and Anne Tacquino made the splendid offer to take us out on their party barge.  They greeted us with mimosas on the back deck.



I could wake up to this every morning & be a happy woman!

 Chef Tac cooked lunch.  Grilled fish and shrimp - delicious! 

Gulp..is that the party boat we're going out in? 


 

Captain Tac & 1st mate Cheryl

                             Note the white flower we've hung from the stern.  Tac says going out with Anne & her girlfriends puts him in touch with his lesbian side. You just gotta love a guy with a sense of humor like that.

Doing the electric sliiiiiiide!

Yep, we're passing a good time!  Laissez bon temps rouler

As reluctant as we were to leave our most excellent hosts, we had another rendezvous...Abita Springs to meet another fun couple, Jason and Lucille Brady.  We headed out on 310, through Morgan City, Paradis (where I spotted a bald eagle!!), and Houma.  Although our original plans included a stop at Destrahan Plantation, again, we'd dawdled and meandered a bit too long, and agreed to put that on the list for the next trip.

Next stop, Abita Springs and the Abita Brewery.  We walked in like we owned the place, but quickly realized that the brewery had closed about two and we'd crashed a wedding.  A quick about-face, and then luckily found the Abita Brew Pub, where we met Cameron, possibly the youngest bartender ever.  Well, he wasn't 12 as we first suspected, but we were convinced he must have barely met minimum age. 



Cameron, exactly how old are you?
 

Dawn, what do you mean, you don't like beer? That's like taking Jan to Napa Valley & finding out she didn't like wine

On to Brandi's lakeside/poolside apartment in Slidell for the night.  She wasn't home, but hopefully will be next time we visit.  (Thanks, Brandi, for letting us stay there.) We crashed immediately upon arrival. Sweet dreams, ladies. 

Beautiful day!

Louisiana state line on the swamp
 

Is that a snake!?!

Most people don't even realize this nature trail is at the reststop when you enter LA. You should stop next time.



What's that green stuff growing in the bayou? 

Traveling trio

A relaxing beginning to a wonderful, fun trip

Wow, we have had the most amazing day, starting at Cheryl's cousin Jan's beautiful garden.

Beautiful iris

Violas

These amaryllis blooms are HUGE!

Look closely!  A garden nymph hiding from view

Kayaking with Donovan on the Bayou Teche

We were lucky to be introduced to Donovan Garcia, a well-know kayaker, Bayou Teche expert guide and Louisiana historian, by my friend Jacquie Wenning.  What a wonderful experience!

I've spent an evening or two on the Bayou Teche, a scenic waterway that "follows a meandering moss-draped, oak tree-lined course through lush vegetation into the geographical heart of Acadiana, winding through rice and sugar cane fields, marsh land and salt dome islands" (from a New Iberia newspaper), but I never dreamed that I'd get into a kayak which would bring me eye level to the gators that live along the shores.  But that I did, along with my fellow travelers. When I'd contacted Jacquie to tell her we'd be coming to spend a night in Franklin, and asked if she had any suggestions for afternoon entertainment, her question was, "How adventerous do you want to be?"   When I asked Dawn and Veronica if they were interested in kayaking, they quickly said yes. I, however, was much slower in my response.  I'd never been in a kayak, canoe or pirogue - I know, can you believe it?!?! Friends who know me well, Sandy and Leslie, even cautioned me against it, worried about me getting eaten by a gater - gulp - I'm brave and I can do it...right?  With some trepedation I said Yes.

We arrived at Donovan's home about 6 and were on the bayou  in minutes, pairing off to carry each kayak from the house to the water.  I was so nervous at first, but by the end, we were all manuvering easily and avoiding collisions with each other. 

 

 

Jacquie - the instigator of our fun!

 

Veronica, Dawn & I...seen here NOT crashing into each other (it took a while to learn that)

Love this shot!

We got this photo of the beautiful sunset, but WAIT... what happens after sunset.  DARK! ooooh, nooooo.  After seeing one alligator swimming ahead of us and hearing one or two splashing startlingly close as we approached their territory, I think we were all a little nervous paddling in the dark and definitely a little tired.  We'd paddled for a couple of hours and by Donovan's estimation, 5 miles.  What an exciting evening! 

I didn't tump over!!
 

 

 

 

 

Prevost House

Can't you picture yourself on this porch with a chilled mint julip? Prevost House c. 1897

St. Joseph Cottage; although it was occupied, we got to see inside! Beautifully done!

 

Beautiful dining room! Exquisitely tasteful decor!
 

Can you believe a piano in a B&B! I LOVED this room!

Entry hall & dining nook.  The tall ceilings accentuated the beauty of this lovely home!
 

 

Cozy kitchen where Jacquie made our dirty martinis w/blue cheese olives! Yum!
 

Day 2 Lake Arthur to Avery Island & Franklin

In addition to waking up in a beautiful, peaceful home, Dawn & Veronica had a treat this morning...meeting my crazy Cajun Uncle Jeffery Boudreaux.  What a great guy!  He and Brenda are a couple of the most hard-working and honest people you'll ever meet AND they happen to be two of my mostest favoritest people in the Whole Wide World!!! Jeffery wasn't able to join us last night, but arrived this morning about 9.  It was another hour before we could tear ourselves away from our hosts. 

Our first stop today was LA, LA for shrimp and corn chowder at the Sugar Chic Bakery before going next door to the LA Bar for their famous bloody Mary. (One of us felt obligated to have a little food before our first drink of the day...hmmmm...don't remember which) 

As we meandered around town (we're great at meandering on this trip), we made an incredible discovery!  Lake Arthur has a new hotel, L'Banca Alberto.  I guess the incredible part is that neither Brenda or Karen told me about it - what were they thinking?  The owner, Bob Palermo, proudly gave us a tour of each room.  It's a fabulous place..check out the room that still has the drive-through window and vault door as part of the decor:

 

 

We lunched at the Regatta restaurant overlooking beautiful Lake Arthur and the Mermentau River. 

BBQ shrimp and grilled shrimp salad

Next stop...McIlhenny Tabasco Factory in Avery Island, LA.  We drove through Gueydan, Erath (which we had even Namibian Veronica pronouncing E-Rat) and Abbeville along the way.  I love those little Cajun towns. 

Building Entry

 

Arrived in the nick of time for the last tour of the day at 3:30

Although we didn't have time for the full tour, we got a glimpse of the beautiful Jungle Gardens and bird sanctuary located on the grounds.  We'd also planned to visit Rip van Winkle Gardens in Jefferson Island.  Alas, we meandered a bit too long.  Maybe next time, but we didn't want to be late for our big adventure...kayaking on the Bayou Teche!

 

Through my friend Jacquie Wenning, we booked a room at her friend's Bed and Breakfast.  We were delighted to meet Donna Tesi, and she was delighted to give us the grand tour of her delightful B&B, Provost House.  The main house, where we stayed, is circa 1897, located in Franklin's historic district.  The ceilings were 14' high and each room was breathtakingly furnished.  The walls featured paintings and sculptures by local artists. The additional B&B home, the St. Joseph Cottage, was also beautiful and homey. 

Tea time in the tub

 

As we unloaded the car, Jacquie arrived to drive us to meet Donovan Garcia, historian and kayak guide extraordinaire.