We stayed at Poches (pronounced Po Shay) RV & Fish Campground in Breaux Bridge, LA which is a short distance from Lafayette. The campground has three different fishing ponds. (It made me wish I had had brought my fishing gear.)
We are in the middle of Acadiana, which an area where Acadians who were expelled from maritime Canada by the British moved to in the 1800's. Their descendants have formed the nucleus of Louisiana's Cajun life and culture. Near us is the Atchafalaya Basin & Swamp, the nation's largest river swamp, containing almost one million acres of hardwoods, swamps, bayous, and backwater lakes. Interesting side story-in the fall of 2014 we were in Acadia National Park in Maine. We had no idea of the connection between that area and Louisiana when we were there.
On Tuesday we decided to take a swamp tour. It was very interesting and the only disappointment was that we didn't see any alligators.
The only alligator we saw!
Flooded Cyprus Trees
These "cones" are roots that let the Cyprus trees live.
The tallest Cyprus tree in the swamp, estimated to be 500 years old.
Beautiful reflection of trees in the water
Louisiana is home to Avery Island, the home of McIlhenny Tabasco Sauce. The seedlings for the peppers are started on the island and then exported to South and Central America where they are grown and then harvested. The peppers are mashed at the factory. The mash ferments and ages for three years in white oak barrels. The aged mash is mixed with vinegar, stirred for a month, strained and poured into slim bottles.
A tour of the factory was followed by the obligatory time at the Tabasco store.
No trip to Louisiana is complete without a trip to New Orleans. Although we skipped Fat Tuesday, there were still plenty of Mardi Gras decorations on the balconies of hotels and apartments.
We decided to take a buggy tour of the French Quarter. Our guide was very colorful. We learned a bit more about the history of the area than what we already knew.
My must have was a stop at Cafe du Monde for beignets. They are wonderful!
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