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Published: March 30th 2010
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Spring has come to the deep South, Cajun country to be exact. Even with the cool March wind blowing in from the northwest, all of the trees are sporting baby leaves, and the Gypsy Outhouse is dusted with pollen. The Cypress are grand with their skirted trunks, knobby knees, and drippy Spanish moss. The lunch special at Big Al’s today was shrimp jambalaya and white beans. Steve ordered a crawfish poboy. Our friend Andie turned us on to some cool things to do in Lafayette, LA, and even though Steve always wants to go to New Orleans he’s giving some other parts of the bayou a chance (you just have to mention good music)!
We have camped a little more than half of our trip, spending an average of $20 a night for a campsite. I’m a little miffed that we pay the same as the big rigs who plug in and hook up. Tent campers, which we consider ourselves, used to be segregated from RVs, but not so much any more. California State Parks charged the most at $35 a night, however, last night the RV park owner just waved us off to go over near the lake, no
charge. We had a freebie in the Anza Borega desert one night too.
Our Lonely Planet US Travel Guide has been great at helping us find the good stuff. Wherever we are they offer up several options for lodging, camping, eating and sites. Occasionally the lodging they describe is a hostel, which interests us because its cheaper, we can cook, as well as commune with other travelers (less isolating than a hotel). Five years ago, when we traveled in Australia & New Zealand, we stayed in a lot of hostels, which they call backpackers. Once, when we stayed in the Hostel in the Forest down in south Georgia (Brunswick), we participated in an interesting conversation between the owner, another hostel owner in Florida, and a couple who were thinking of starting one in Savannah.
Anyway, in Lafayette we stayed in a hostel like no other, the Blue Moon Saloon and Guesthouse! The Lonely Planet called it, “not for the faint of heart” whatever that meant, but Andie recommended it too! We paid extra for a private room as opposed to staying in a male or female dorm room. The best part was, we didn’t have to go out
for entertainment, it came to us. Our bedroom was right behind the stage, but the extra insulation and my foam earplugs seemed to handle it!! The first afternoon folks came in (mostly by bicycle), for a group fiddle lesson (ouch!). That night was a Creole jam, not bad! The next morning, while we were sitting on the front porch drinking coffee, a young Frenchman played some nice piano accompanied by a young lady on fiddle. That night the band rocked and the dancers swung, we drank Andygator beer, and walked into our bedroom when we’d had enough!
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Laura
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KATIE!
Can't think of a better way to celebrate than on the open road. Sending love and cheer, Laura