Louisiana

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We started off in Lake Charles where we enjoyed the world’s largest collection of Mardi Gras costumes which are housed in a few rooms of an old schoolhouse. The design, fabric and bead and feather work were all gleaming in many colorful hues.

The Old City Hall had another bright exhibit, this one of whimsically designed chairs in gleaming primary colors. Unfortunately, we could not take photos but the artist is Peter Shire and looking at his work will make you smile.

Our morning drive along Interstate 10 east to Baton Rouge took us to one of the most beautiful stretches of the interstate highway system. It goes for about twenty miles over the Atchafalala Swamp. Our stop at the visitors center led us to Jimmy Laviolette who took us into the swamp on his boat. On our ride out, Jimmy shared his knowledge of the area where his family has lived for generations.

The day was warm and sunny with the gentlest of breezes. As we rode swiftly across the surface of the river and into the swamp, we found ourselves immersed in nature’s beauty. Jimmy took us across the deep river and onto the shallow water hyacinth covered ponds. The water in the river rode high so the air was clean and fresh though slightly dank in the narrow inlets. Egrets, herons, swallow tail kites, and brown eagles soared overhead or perched on their nests. The limbs of cypress trees were draped with soft Spanish moss. We were startled by leaping mullets. Bull frogs lent background to the call of the birds. Wire traps for crayfish dotted the water. We drifted along touched by the splendor of nature and we could only smile and drink in the short hours of our visit. These pictures show not what we looked at but what we were surrounded by.

We worked up an appetite while on the boat so we went to Boudin’s for gumbo (Jerry) and crabcakes (Anna Lee). While we ate, we enjoyed listening to zydeko and watching others dance.

The next morning we went downtown to the original Old State Capitol Building which was burned in the “War between the States” but Governor Huey Long reconstructed the current Old Capitol with its circular staircase and stained glass windows.

Each of the governors has both a photo on the wall and a bio on a computer terminal. We were mostly interested in Long’s and Edwin Edward’s, as they were best known to us, mainly for their fame and infamy. Long’s terms in office are featured in a room with a black fracture line down the center.

On one side are his attributes, his assistance to blacks and poor people, his support of public education and medical care. On the other side are his vices including graft and dogmatism. Still disputable is who assassinated him. Edwards we in California remember for his connection to Eddie DeBartolo, Jr. of the 49ers.

We were in town for the Fest for All, an excellent art and craft fair. Fortunately we don’t need a thing so we were able to resist buying any of the outstanding ceramic, wood or jewelry items. We did have to sample some local fair food which was good and cheap.