Local sights

We have enjoyed a variety of activities in our month long stay in Abbeville. We enjoyed the Erath Museum depicting Cajun Life. A tour of downtown Abbeville by the Red Hats. Live music at Savoy's, Fred's Lounge, Touchet's, and Mulate's, and Cafe des Amis. We've had a guided tour at the Longfellw-Evangeline State Historic Site. Taken pictures of the Statue of Evangeline. Enjoyed learning about the sugar industry in Jeanerette and the rice growing in New Iberia at the Konriko Company Store. Vermillionville in Lafayette is a Cajun and Creole folklife park depicting the Acadiana area from 1765-1890. Next door we also learned more about the Acadians at the Jean Lafitte Acadian Cultural Center. It was a fun packed month, we toured these places in between Mardi Gras parties. I'm sure I left something out, but oh it's just a blur......fun fun fun.

Frog Murals in Rayne LA

Back to Cafe des Amis 140 E. Bridge St. in Breaux Bridge for breakfast and dancing to Zydeco music. A live band plays every Saturday morning. 8:30-11:30. Lots of fun!
Today we're stomping with Frank and Dianne
Frank and Dianne in Rayne the Frog Mural town.
Bill and Cheryl our newly recurited Boomer friends.

Suire's

The second time we went back to Suire's our favorite shrimp poboy place we were lucky enough to meet Mary the owner(standing next to Jim)and her daughter. The business is now run by her two daughters. It is a Grocery & restaurant sitting all by itself on the corner on HWY 35 south in Kaplan. We started talking about eating here in Sept. when we left Wa. state. The shrimp just melts in your mouth. And the southern hospitality, so great.....................Please come eat here!

Fred's Lounge 420 6th St in Mamou LA. Is a world famous lounge featuring a unique radio program of live Cajun Music and a broadcast on KVPI(1050). It is open Only on Saturdays from 8:00am till 2:00pm. We all had a great time dancing, some of us even had a beer before noon. Pictured above with Jim is Ms Fred, 92 yrs young, she dances, sings, and carries her own flask on her hip. She and her husband started the bar in 1946.



We also went to Savoy's on the same day. Here they have a Cajun Jam Session from 9:00am till 12:00pm

Mardi Gras Day

This is the big finale. The Mardi Gras Day! We got up early, packed our lunches, our gear(umbrellas, jackets, hats, water, ) for whatever the weather might bring us. Luckily it was a nice day. Lafayette has three parades almost back to back. I have to say I knew we would have fun here but it has exceeded my expectations!

Chicken Run and Church Point Parade

Diane with some Chicken runners
We all went to a farm in Church Point, this was by invitation only. Here we saw the actual Courir(or Run) where the revelers come onto the property, after getting permission from the owner, dance, party and chase the chickens that the farmer donates for their gumbo.
Betty gettin in the grove.

Touchet's Bar

Jim not only jammed with the band but the Nun danced he's feet off and she's 82 years old! Touchet's Bar has a Cajun jam session with a free meal every other Saturday.

Continued Mardi Gras Fun

Our group on Mardi Gras Day in Lafayette
A little time out for crafts. Painted this per request of our host Betty. Too fun!
A great way to start the day. Off to a Cajun breakfast and dancing to Zydeco music at the Cafe des Amis in Breaux Bridge.
After breakfast we were off to a King Cake Party and Dance at Gerry Spanger's (a private resident). This is an open party....all are welcome. We saw alot of the same people who were at the resturant. Following this we were off Touchet's Bar!

EATING AND IMBIBING IN ABBEVILLE

PICTURES SPEAK A THOUSAND WORDS