Arkansas / Louisiana Trip Day 12

Rain was starting to fall as I left not long after 10 and would continue off and on until evening. I headed west along I10 and soon crossed the Mississippi. On the west side of the river, there were signs of industry such as a grain elevator. I hadn't gone 40 miles, when I realized I'd been on a low bridge for quite a while. I moved over to the left lane and could see water between the eastbound and westbound bridges, with trees on the far sides of the bridges, but not between them. I saw a sign with the name of the bayou I was crossing. I also saw several signs proclaiming the Atchafalaya Basin Heritage Area. Intrigued, I decided to stop at the Welcome Center for the area. What a welcome center! They had the usual brochures, but also displays, books and a movie. I didn't feel I had time for the movie, but I liked the place.

It's a good thing I didn't stay too long. The GPS proclaimed I'd arrived at the Acadian Cultural Center in Lafayette, but it was a tennis court. I parked to check the AAA book, but the directions matched. Down the road a bit, I saw the Vermilionvillage and also its address. So, I continued on a bit further and saw the back of a large concrete and brick sign. Passing it and looking back, I saw the national park logo. When I walked up to the building, I thought it odd, that the flags were not flying. I soon saw why- as of last August, they close on Saturday at 12 instead of the 4 in the AAA book. It was now 11:45! i managed to get brochures, postcards, a pin and my national park passport stamped. I also talked to the ranger about the merits of the village nearby and the Acadian Village. I opted for the latter, because they give money to help mentally challenged people. I also asked her about the lunch place I had in mind and she said that it was good. The terrible thing was that there were people stopping here. In the parking lot, I saved a couple from Colorado from getting their little ones all the way up to the building. I showed the young mother the two options and suggested the nearby one might appeal to her little ones more with its music, costumes and demonstrations.

It took about 25 minutes to cross town to the Acadian Village. It is a village of authentic Cajun homes and gives the story of the Acadians who came to Louisiana. It even has its own bayou. I only saw a couple of other people at a distance, as I went on my self-guided tour, taking lots of photos. The rain threatened, but held off. But the humidity was getting me and I could feel the sweat dripping down my back.

There was a nice arts gallery and I got a cypress box and an oyster shell painted with Santa's face. I was the first customer of the day and glad I bought something. In the gift shop, I found some cool ornaments made with gar shells or  crawfish claws. I got a "poinsettia" bloom made of the latter.

Then, I headed off for the Blue Dog Cafe. It was 2:13 when I arrived and they were closed!! Who stops serving between 2 and 5? I searched AAA for other options, but they were too far away. I decided to go to Sans Souci Art Gallery, which sells Louisiana products, hoping a likely place to eat would also be there. I had passed some on the way to Blue Dog, but was loathe to double back due to the time. I passed through University of Louisiana, Lafayette on the way. The gallery was nice, but nothing rocked my world. Nor did I see someplace I wanted to eat. Disgusted, I headed for I10.

A few miles down the road, I pulled off at Exit 109, Breaux Bridge. In spite of the vaguely Cajun name, I didn't see somewhere that looked quick and Cajun. I ate at McDonald's and then got gas, while the price was lower than most along the interstate.

Soon, I was on that bridge again. I rolled down the passenger window and pointed my camera that way, hoping something good would be caught without aiming. There was a lot of traffic. We were particularly slowed by a very large boat that was being towed.

I managed to get back here at 4:20, which let me go to the fitness center to walk before a shower. My husband arrived and we made a dinner of the leftover quiche from one of his meetings and the rest of the dessert I bought the other night.

Then, we headed off for the ICA's awards ceremony. Near the end, my husband was given a plaque for his six years of service on the board, which ends next month. The president made a very nice speech about him, noting how he is the memory of the ICA and has 41 years worth of the journal! Afterwards, my husband had someone take our picture. I took the plaque and left him to the concert.

I had to come back to pack. Church is at 10 and checkout is 11. It doesn't look like they'll let us have late checkout, so the car must be packed before church. I'll have time to kill until the 3 pm Professors Choir, that my husband is in and whose concert I will attend. We leave town after that. I may go to the USS Kidd in my free time.

We plan to get to Tallahassee tomorrow night, which is a long drive. Due to the late hour, tomorrow's adventures will probably have to be documented at a later time.