My first stop of the day was the Bluebonnet Swamp Reserve Center, which is just 12 minutes from campus. Due to the fact that there was a rather noisy group of short people from the Y summer camp (one child looked no more than 3) and they were about to have a presentation, the young man at the ticket counter suggested I head out on the trails first. Learning that the Outer Loop, at .49 miles, is the most popular, I set off on that one. I ran into very few people on my walk. It is a well-maintained path, usually bordered with 2x4's. The young man had told me that I would not run into any alligators, as there hadn't been alligators in Baton Rouge in quite a while. In fact, Baton Rouge is really a little too high in term's of elivation for much in the way of swamps.
It was warm and the sun filtered through the trees. There was a tremendous sound of insects, much like cicadas. It was really nice to walk through the woods, when there were commercial buildings just on the other side of the parking lot. A boardwalk eventually appeared to keep one above the mud, then the water of the swamp. Lots of cypress knees and little circles on the water where insects landed. A few dragonflies flitted here and there reminding me of Evinrude in Disney's The Rescuers. I really enjoyed the scenery and walking through the leaves, some brown with age, but others yellow or red having just fallen. It soon became very warm with a slight breeze. I was grateful to not be bothered by bugs or mosquitos, when I was already beginning to perspire way too much.
I eventually switched to the Inner Loop, which was rougher, probably because it was less popular and there were fewer people to tromp over the plants that would sprout there. I cut over on the Highwater Trail and then made my way back to the visitor center. There, I saw the animals, finally. Oh, I'd seen two birds on the trail, but that was it. In the center, there are turtles, snakes, skink and frogs. They also have a nice little gift shop that would appeal to kids.
When I got back to the car, I found I'd walked 1.4 miles, which wasn't bad. I headed downtown to the LSU Museum of Art. Not only did I see nowhere to eat lunch on the way, but I also had a devil of a time finding the parking garage for the museum. I rather hoped there would be a restaurant in the Shaw Center. However, I found myself walking by the Capital City Grill and thought it would be good to have some local food. I suspected it wouldn't be cheap and it wasn't, but the lunch special was only $10. I had an absolutely wonderful serving of Vieux Carre Chicken, which was a boneless chicken breast with Tasso, crawfish and mushroom cream sauce garnished with smoked mozzarella and red bell peppers. The sides were "smashed" potatoes and the daily vegetable, squash. I cannot tell you how disappointed I was, when I found out that they were out of New Orleans-style bread pudding for dessert. I'd been staring at it on the dessert menu on the table all through lunch! I was offered cheesecake instead, but it was New York cheesecake, so what would be the point?
The Shaw Center entrance was right across the courtyard and the LSU MOA is on the 5th floor. The entrance fee is only $5, which was particularly good, given that very large galleries on one end were closed, now that a special exhibit was over. There is variety- jade, vernacular paintings, modern art, botanical watercolors exhibit, installation art and early American furniture and portraits through the 19th century. The entire visit took less than an hour. I did spend some time in their shop. Art museum shops are always interesting.
I noticed that the Old Capitol building was right across the street and decided I was already paying for the car in the garage and had intended to visit it at some point, so why not now? It looks like a castle, which is very different from most statehouses. They offer a free audio tour. So, wand and map in hand, I set out. There is a lovely wrought iron staircase and an incredible stained glass dome. Exhibits included the history of the building, a history of Baton Rouge, governors and Huey Long. I learned that he may not have been murdered, but rather may have been the victim of a bullet from the gun of one of his overzealous bodyguards. Whatever may be the truth, he had a great effect on the state in terms of infrastructure and schools. He loved LSU and worked to improve it. He loved the marching bands and would often march with the drum majors he'd chosen. He wrote music they still use!
I closed the place down at 4 and went back to the garage with another 1.66 miles under my belt. There was very heavy traffic on I10 southbound toward New Orleans, but that was the only backup that slowed me down. That's nothing like I4 around Orlando at that time of day.
The exercise room was empty, when I got there and I listened to all of one episode and part of another of Welcome to Nightvale, while walking another 1.25 miles. What a great way to distract yourself and make yourself stay on the machine.
Tonight, we went out for dinner with my husband's undergrad clarinet professor from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his wife and other clarinetists. We got there about 7 and didn't leave until 10:30. It is a good thing Parrain's didn't need that table. People just kept talking.
I was in the right mood and ordered hushpuppies. For dinner, I had Crawfish Etouffee, which was rather spicy, but good. I chose cole slaw over salad, but it was served before the main course! It also had peanuts in it, which was weird, especially since we were not warned about this beforehand. I finally got my desired dessert- bread pudding- albeit a white chocolate one. There was regular chocolate there, so good. My husband and I split it. It was delicious, but had slivered almonds on top, which also were not mentioned upfront. And who thinks of nuts for that dessert?
Have to carefully plan for tomorrow, as my husband is playing at 1 and I have to go pick up my ticket fairly far from the venue.
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