Mardi Gras in Louisiana

The pig was mostly demolished by the time we
arrived on Sunday.

There was a big table where outfits were being
sewed and glued. Bags of accessories were
around and some of the ladies enjoyed dressing
us up! And Scott has a silly streak.

Many of the guests were VERY costumed!

This looks pretty strange here but I took the
sequined top and put it over a purple (a
major color for Mardi Gras) top and wore it
with beads and black pants to several 
events.

One end of the party which was at Mark's home

Some of the Pig Roast Crowd poses for a shot.

This neighborhood group had a sign that was very
 elaborate with lots of fringe,
this year's signature addition to every outfit. 

 

But not in New Orleans! We were in the Lafayette area for almost a week and it was Mardi Gras for part of the time. We would have missed it altogether but were saved by our old friend Barney Ussher, now known an Bernard. At our Christmas party our friend Decklin told us that Bernard had married again and was living there. We hadn't seen him for 40 years but when we contacted him, he was delighted that we were coming and persuaded us to come several days earlier so that we could party. And we did!!!

It's easy to meet people in Mamou and maybe
especially at Mardi Gras. And certainly at 
Fred's Lounge!

These four photos are all at Fred's Lounge.

The band was great - Zydeco or Cajun but
all good.

Our first event was a Pig Roast at Bernard and Rubia's good friend Mark's home. There was wonderfully dressed up crowd as you can see from my photos. And they worked on getting us into the spirit of Mardi Gras. Various bling was donated for the event to us. The roast pig was delicious and we met so many fun people. We loved getting to know Bernard's wife Rubia and all their friends.

Our next day was choreographed by our hosts and we danced to the tunes. We spent the morning in Mamou, a small town with a heart and Fred's . They are normally only open all day Saturdays but for Mardi Gras, they open Monday as well, from 9 AM to 5 PM. And the place was hopping at 11 when we arrived and we made new friends immediately. Dancing to Zydeco or Cajun is similar to jitterbug but a bouncier two step. And everyone dances all day and night! There were several food trucks for lunch - boudin, sausage/beans/rice and Cajun tacos for us. We brought some of it back along with some amazing crawfish bisque that we enjoyed the next day. 

These fellows were making boudin, the one on
the left was using his hands to mix up the stuffing,
a blend of pork mixed with onions, peppers,
seasoning and cooked rice. We're at Lakeview now.

Andouille sausages being smoked and grilled.

The crowd gathered around the chickens for the Chicken Drop - lots of money on the line for shit.

This is the barn venue at Lakeview, or a part of it. 

Then we were off to our next stop - Lakeview RV Resort. They have a big event barn with more live music, dancing and a Charcuterie. We were too early and already full for this meal but enjoyed watching the men making boudin and smoking sausages and pork of al types. There was a lively crowd around the Chicken Drop arena. People bet on which square the first chicken will poop!! Really!

Ren and Heather at the Whirlybird gallery

Bernard and Rubia on the dance floor

And the day wasn't over. We had a few hours back at our RV to rest and change for the evening. Bernard wangled tickets for us to the Lundi Gras at the Whirlybird.  This is a big compound with an Airbnb, B&B, a art gallery and studio, and an event space - another barn look alike. "Knock 3 times and whisper low", we were sent by Bernard! We arrived early as recommended before the music began and at first were worried we were in the right place. It seemed dark and not many cars were parked. But a lamp lighted path led us behind the main house and we met the owners, Jim & Christie greeting people. They suggested we tour the gallery and we met the artist if residence there, Ren, who was giving a class in Tibetan flag making! Looked like fun. Scott bought a wonderful blue shirt with embroidered sunflowers that she made. Then we moved into the big barn and the band was already jamming with lots of dancers. We managed to get one seat and later added a second. We took turns resting with Bernard and Rubia. 

It was hard to get photos that night at the Whirlybird but it was an amazing place and evening.

The next day we had our schedule mapped out for us. We met Bernard and Rubia at Iota and although it's a small town, it's a big celebration. Most of the main street was cordoned off with two stages and tons of food and other vendors. We sat next to the main stage (we brought chairs) in the sun and watched the band, dancers and all the crowd. This was a family event and at around 1:30 the kids from the community took the stage. They are fully costumed as you can see from the photos and parade and dance around while gathering the coins that the audience throws. Its a hoot and everyone had fun. 

We were supposed to go on from here to D.I.'s Restaurant for more music and dancing into the night but we begged off. Exhaustion had set in. And we were seeing Bernard and Rubia again on Thursday so we bade farewell to Mardi Gras...for this year. 

The highlight of the time in Iota was the children's
parade.

The costume were all different and elaborate!

After the march there was a scramble for the tossed
coins.

Often they just stood against the edge of the stage
and pointed at their hand. The money was collected
by adults and went to some charity.

Sometimes the masks were a little frightening!

There was some dancing as well. You can see the
fringe here which ornamented most costumes as
it was a theme for this year.

Here's a section of the crowd at Iota.

A view from the stage

Bernard and Rubia's masks on!

On the Water Again (briefly)

Looking down the harbor with the flock of seagulls that followed us. They picked food out of the hands of passengers, including Scott! You can see the end of the barrier island on the right with blindingly white beaches.

Heading down the pier to board our boat.

Multimillion dollar houses lined the harbor along
with condo high-rises.

We saw lots of dolphins but it's hard to get 
good photos. Here's one playing at our bow!

The restaurant we ate at a few days later was just
to the right of the "lighthouse"

Scott and the kids enjoyed feeding the seagulls!

After a rainy day on Sunday where we enjoyed the National Naval Aviation Museum, the sun returned on Monday. We still had a packed week of activities here at Santa Rosa RV Park! Besides the usual daily walks, water aerobics, bingo (We hadn't played this for decades but lucked out this week. I won once and Scott, twice!) etc. our wonderful activities director Kerri put together a trip down to Destin for a Dolphin Cruise. About 25 of us car pooled down and enjoyed the 90 minute cruise out to the Gulf. We saw lots of dolphins including a family with a young one. It was a beautiful day, cool but sunny. It brought back a lot of memories for Scott and I. It was the first real boat trip since we sold Scott Free!

The Air Force Armaments museum. This is the main section of the museum, although a lot of the planes were outside on the grounds. 

Another part we both liked was a film and section
on the Doolittle Raid during WWII

Another day we returned to the Destin area for the Air Force Armaments Museum and a special dinner out at the East Pass Seafood Restaurant in Destin. After we visited the museum, Scott said, "Well, that was depressing!" What did he think? It was a museum of weapons. But there were a few good moments. For me it was a series of stories about heroes in WWII that weren't given the awards and recognition they deserved until well after the war. Many of them were minorities. And Scott enjoyed the planes and engineering videos. 

We had dinner afterwards over looking Destin harbor at a restaurant our captain on the Dolphin cruise had recommended. Because it was cool and cloudy we were one of the few patrons there when we arrived so Scott agreed to sit at the bar. I like to do that once in a while because you end up talking to people and often get to know the bartender. And in fact, that is what happened. Plus, as you can see from the photo below - we had a good view of the waterway and passing boats.

The view from our seats at the bar in the East Pass Seafood Restaurant in Destin

But we're off again on Sunday for Lafayette, LA. We'll spend a week there seeing old friend Barney and his new wife (to us at least) and a couple we met there last year. It's Mardi Gras so it should be lots of fun. We have to leave early next Sunday as we're invited to a Pig Roast that afternoon (followed by the Super Bowl). So it's a dawn departure for the 6 hour plus ride. 

We enjoyed several bike rides in the National Seashore nearby. Although the bike path was along the road, the 35 mile an hour speed limit and little traffic made the riding easy. 

Land Cruising in Style!

This is the view right outside our RV site looking west along the beach. That's the pool deck on the right.

Last year we spent 4 nights at the Santa Rosa RV Resort and enjoyed it so much we opted for 15 nights this year and it has not disappointed.  Our site right on the beach has a lovely view over the water and we're right next to the heated pool. There's a lot going on here almost every day. We walk with a group in the morning at 8 AM weekdays. There is water aerobics twice a week, Bingo twice, card games, coffee & donuts, and a Pancake and Sausage breakfast! We enjoyed watching a fiercely fought corn hole tournament (we'll have to practice up for next year). It's easy to meet people at events or just around the fire pit in the evenings. We've been using our bikes as well and doing our Bone Builder exercises. 

A section of the Corn Hole Tournament

The view from our RV looking east (low tide). 
That is their fishing pier .

We had a great lunch at Red Fish, Blue Fish
over on Santa Rosa Island.

Several times we've taken excursions around the area. First to Eden Gardens State Park east of here with two other stops at Grayton Beach State Park and Topsail Hill Preserve. At Eden Gardens we toured the historic Wesley House and the lovely grounds. The other parks have campgrounds which we might want to extend our stay (more cheaply) in the area next year. They are both right on the beach. 

The Pensacola Lighthouse

That's the beginning of a very long
climb

The view looking east

The view looking down!

A number of people turned around due to the
difficulty, length and steepness. We were fine,
although I took a number of breaks!

Then we headed west on two days. First to the Pensacola Lighthouse, first built in 1825 as a 40 foot tower replacing a Lightship and then was in turn replaced with a 150 foot one in 1859. It was 177 steep steps to the top and we made it! There is a museum there as well with a reconstruction of the lightkeepers quarters. Our second visit to Pensacola was again to the military base, this time for the National Naval Aviation Museum, which is huge and took us a full day. Luckily there is a bar/cafe there so we could fuel up. Hundreds of planes from every era are represented along with artifacts, films, reconstructed vignettes of life at war (all of them) and personal stories. It is an excellent museum but not as good as the WWII Museum in New Orleans, one of my all time favorites. .

We still have a week here before heading west again. Tomorrow a Dolphin Boat Cruise with a group from the RV Park. More on that later!

The historic Wesley House at Eden Gardens - this is the back which faces Tucker Bayou. The house was bought by a very wealthy widow who donated it with all the furniture and possessions to the State after her health made it impossible for her. 

We enjoyed a very good lunch at a 
nearby hotel overlooking the water
afterwards. 

Sorry this is hard to see - it's a crossing the date line ceremony
on board an aircraft carrier. King Neptune and his consorts 
are testing the Polliwogs (first timers). These guys could try 
out for Rue Paul!

You are only seeing a small part of this huge museum!!!

I really loved these recreations of life during the wars - here WWII - but it's a little like the living quarters in MASH too.

Here's a little bar for the soldiers in the 
Pacific.

I always love the stories about women and 
minorities that served. Here an oil painting of 
the first woman Naval aviator, Barbra Allen
in 1974. 

When Subic Bay Naval Station was decommissioned in the Philippines in 1992, the Officer's Club Bar was reassembled here at the Museum and is back in use! I was at Subic Bay myself in 1967 while serving in the Peace Corps in nearby Tarlac. I was invited by a family member who was serving there.