Gabwithgaudets 18
Trip Start
Oct 19, 2005
1
28
Trip End
Apr 25, 2006
Marksville, Louisiana
Tuesday, April 4, 2006
It is 14 min after 9. Rick just suggested that we should keep up the travel blogs. I thought we were done!!!! However, I just have to tell you a few things. Our life is not as exciting as Mexico, no one is breaking down, the roads have improved, shopping is not as cheap and we are not being catered to as we were in Mexico. Rick and I left Winter Ranch for San Antonio on Fri. We camped outside of the city at New Braunfels, approximately 45 min north of San. A. The campground was cheap and in the center of many interesting places. The town of Gruene (pronounced Green) was about 10 min away and, fortunately for us were hosting a craft and cultural fair. I was shopped out, so I just bought a couple of things. Ha Ha It is situated about halfway between San Antonio and Austin on the Guadaloupe River. Gruene can boast of the oldest dance hall in the state and has hosted many of the Country and Western greats like Merle Haggard, George Strait, Travis Tripp, etc. After listening to some "up and coming" talent, we ventured to the local tea room for a late, late lunch. I chose a chipotle duck wrap that was to die for. Timed that right....I didn't have to cook, again. The following day, we visited San Antonio. The highways in the States are fantastic. From where we were to downtown was so simple. Parking was cheap and all the attractions were within walking distance. We started at the picturesque Paseo del Rio, or the River Walk and encountered a festive area where you can eat, shop, dance the night away or just simply cruise down the river. The Alamo, one of many Missions in the area, is located in the heart of the city. It is the famed site of the tragic 1836 holdout against Santa Annas' Mexican Army. This is also where Tennessee born Davy Crocket lost his life. The crowds were huge at the Alamo and as a result we chose to go to the Imax Theatre and view the re-enactment of the "Battle of the Alamo". I don't think we missed much (being Canadians). Of course, we dined for the last time at a local Mexican restaurant. It was great. From S.A, we drove north to the Hill Country. You wouldn't know you were in Texas. It is beautiful and a place I would prefer to winter in. We stopped in the quaint picturesque town of Fredericksburg. Of course we visited the shops, walked the parks, drank at the local brew pubs, browsed the wildseed farm, nurseries, and wineries and ate at the famous local Bavarian House. The area is gorgeous and riddled with so many points of interest. A great Texas hideaway. After three days in the Hill Country, we ventured back through the Lakes and Plains to just east of Austin, the state capitol. Scenery again is so much better than the Rio Grande Valley. Visited Austin, walked to the capitol building, ate lunch on the grounds and then headed back to our RV. Saturday morning we left for Louisiana. Wouldn't you know it, Houston was absolutely no problem going through but we got caught in construction in Beaumont. Entered Louisiana just after noon, stopped at the Tourist Info Centre to find out what was open as far as tourist attractions and campgrounds. The damage has been localized to a couple of parishes along the gulf coast, especially Cameron and of course New Orleans. I just love Louisiana. The people are the friendliest I have come across, not surprising, they are Cajuns... (Acadians by descent). We are camped at Poche's Fish 'N' Camp. There are about eight "acres" of fish fed freshwater ponds. After three days of fishing and not knowing what bait or lure to use, I caught a Sac a lait (crappy, I think). I would interpret that as a "bag of milk" and that is how it fought! Limp! It is something like a three pound bass. There is so much in the area to do, that four days just does not do it. My "Acadian" husband, of course is very interested in his heritage so we visited St Martinville, New Iberia, Breaux Bridge but Lafayette was our main aim. The area is so interesting. We visited the local Cajun villages, shops and historically significant villages. The highlight of my time, the "Swamp Tour" was the BEST! It was two hours of amazement. The Cyprus trees grow out of the water and their root system are like penises sticking out of the bayou, the Spanish Moss needs air and moisture to live, cling to the trees and sway in the breeze, the alligators are numerous...small, medium and large sizes, (I have a story to tell later about these guys) rats (beaver like animal that's a vegetarian), turtles, water lilies, egrets, Scarlett (birds) (sorry, forgot the name... gorgeous). I have amazing pictures of the bayou, but, our alligator pictures are the best. We encountered this old "Alli' who just wouldn't move, even when prodded. He was such a lazy, sleepy soul who just meandered away after we annoyed him SO MUCH! He was at least 17 feet. From the bayou, we crossed the lake and came across some baby alligators. "Bryan Champagne" our guide tried to catch one, and of course, I couldn't resist so I tried to grab one as well with Rick and this other lady holding on to my legs as I fished in the water for one of the little suckers. Anyway, Bryan got one and I just wish I could brag about an alligator biting me........didn't have to say how big it was......did I? Now, all I can say is I had one in my hand. The following day we went to Vermillion Village an Acadian, Cajun Heritage Center that we spent 5 hours at. The host and hostesses were some of the friendliest people I have met. The village depicted the early arrival of the Acadians to the area, as well as the natives and people of colour they encountered and the differences between the three. Now it was time for some serious gambling so we headed up to Marksville to meet friends and to see if I could win some bucks (not the native kind, the money, ha ha). The campground is really nice, our friends were already here, and Dave and Susan introduced us to two of their friends who both happened to be here at the same time. We've done nothing but eat, drink, gamble (except for Rick, Dave and Bob), so needless to say it's been a hard five days. Today was an off day, no drinking. Peter and Mary left Monday morning, Jim and Judy this morning, we're leaving tomorrow and the two other couples are leaving the following day. Rick went out golfing (twice in two days) with the boys and shot his best game ever. There is hope yet for me. Well, since we're now heading north and will meet many of you in the not to distant future, this will probably be my last travel log. This is Joyce and I'm gone.
