Chicot State Park, Louisiana Day 2 (GA410)

Mary is no longer available for RV traveling, but we remain good friends.
Because we have 4,000+ postings, I’ve invited her to continue posting entries on this blog.

I’m currently in my 23rd year of full-time RVing and my lifestyle is changing, For more info click Here

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The motorhome is parked at Thousand Trails RV Resort in Bow, Washington. I’ll depart here later this morning.

Since my RVing life is changing (see above), I’m starting to re-visit previously visited places. So rather than constantly re-blogging past entries, I’ve decided to do something different.

  In 2011-2013, Mary and I did a 682 day, 12,679 miles in the motorhome and 8,000 miles in the Bronco, circumnavigation of the United States, which I called The Great Adventure. I called it so because other than my oldest granddaughter’s high school graduation in June in Connecticut, I didn’t know where we would be going or when we would be there!

So, unless I do something really different and unusual warranting a new blog entry, I’ll be posting entries from that trip.

This entry was posted February 25, 2013…

 

 

 

 

The motorhome is parked at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, Louisiana. We are scheduled to depart here on Friday.

 

 

Built in 1939, at 6,400 acres with 198 campsites, it’s Louisiana’s largest state park. You can read about Chicot State Park, Louisiana by clicking this Wikipedia link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicot_State_Park

 

 

The reason we are here is that it’s located along the Zydeco Cajun Prairie Byway which you can read about by clicking this link…
http://zydecocajunbyway.com/links.html

 

 

Yesterday, with a weather forecast of severe thunderstorms with hail and a possible tornado, we decided to stay close to the motorhome. We drove the Bronco the about three miles to the arboretum, within the boundaries of the state park. You can read about the arboretum by clicking this link…
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iarbor.aspx

 

 

The dictionary defines an arboretum as a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes. Here are some of the photos that I took…

 

 

 

 

 

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As promised, we had several HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS WITH DIME-SIZED HAIL. Fortunately, no tornadoes. Here’s a shot of the Bronco looking through the passenger windshield…

 

 

 

 

 

In this next photo, about 150 feet away, as seen through the driver’s windshield, on the left a blue tarp covers a tent and on the right, their truck is barely visible…

 

 

 

 

 

The storm as seen through the dinette window…

 

 

Enjoying arboretums and thunderstorms is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

 

 

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Louisiana. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

 

 

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…
http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

 

 

 

 

TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE! MARY WROTE A MANY GREAT BLOGS…SO WHENEVER SHE PUBLISHED A BLOG POSTING THE SAME DAY THAT I DID…YOU WILL BE ABLE TO READ HER BLOG BY CLICKING THE BELOW LINK! DO IT NOW!

https://otrwjam.wordpress.com/2013/02/26/chicot-park-arboretum/

 

 

 

 

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE PHOTOS.

Forecast for today is sunny and 76 degrees.

Enjoying nice weather is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows my approximate location in the State of Washington. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures with low humidity most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

 

 

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My current travel rig is a 2006 Fleetwood 26′ Class A Motorhome and a towed 1986 Ford Bronco II, Eddie Bauer Model. This photo was taken in the desert at Slab City near Niland, California…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On October 27, 2012, I created a two-minute video titled America The Beautiful. The music America The Beautiful is by Christopher W. French. The photos, which I randomly selected, are from the states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Tennessee, Washington and West Virginia (not shown in that order)…are mine. Yup, That’s me standing in front of the Post Office in Luckenbach, Texas…Y’all!

Click this link to start the video. Make sure you have your speakers turned on and go to full screen asap.
http://youtu.be/FfZUzEB4rM8

 

 

If you would like to see my YouTube videos, click this link… http://www.youtube.com/user/JimJ1579/videos

 

 

There are more than 700 photo albums in my Picasa Web Albums File. To gain access, you simply have to click this link… https://get.google.com/albumarchive/110455945462646142273?source=pwa

 

 

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

 

 

For more information about my books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

 

 

All original works copyrighted – Jim Jaillet -2018

Mamou, Louisiana – The Cajun Music Capital Of The World!

Yesterday we drove the motorhome the about 25 miles from Chicot State Park to Mamou, Louisiana…the Cajun Music Capital Of The World!

Along the way we stopped in Ville Platte at the Swamp Pop Music Museum which is only open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Swamp pop is a musical genre indigenous to the Acadiana region of south Louisiana and an adjoining section of southeast Texas. Created in the 1950s and early 1960s by teenaged Cajuns and black Creoles, it combines New Orleans-style rhythm and blues, country and western, and traditional French Louisiana musical influences.

To read more about Swamp Pop Music, just click this Wikipedia link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swamp_pop

Here are some photos that I took…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

The next stop is unusual for us as it is a repeat. That usually does not happen. We were here in 2010 and had a ball! As long as we are in the area…we just had to come back. Over the years…I believe this is my fourth visit.

Upon arrival in Mamou we pulled the motorhome alongside of Fred’s Lounge – The Cajun Music Capital of the World! Fred’s is only open on Saturday’s from 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM. We lucked with our timing as Taunte (aunt in French) Sue was just coming out of the back door. Luckily she remembered me from my previous visits. Asking if we could park overnight where we were…she said no…she had a better spot at another of her properties about one block away. We followed her and the below photo shows our parking location complete with 30 amp electrical hookup…

As usual, here’s the dinette window view…

Here’s Mary with Taunte Sue…

After getting settled in, we took a walk to the Cajun Music Plaza…directly across the street from Fred’s Lounge…

On the same wall is the Cajun Wall Of Fame…

Did you notice that of the 12 people shown…only one is a woman? Nonetheless than Taunte Sue! She has lived all of her 82 years in Mamou…

Taunte Sue was married to Fred Tate…of Fred’s Lounge which you can read about by clicking this link…
http://www.fredsociety.com/mamou.html

She recently retired after 55 years working there. You can read about her career by clicking this link…
http://www.crowleypostsignal.com/view/full_story/11502385/article-Taunte-Sue-puts-Fred-s-Lounge-doors-behind-her—nephews-nieces–knew-her-rules

We’ve got to leave shortly as Fred’s opens its doors at 7:30 AM and we want to be first in the line. The drinking starts and by 8:00 AM the place is packed by time the band starts playing at 8:00 AM…nonstop until 1:30 PM. I’ll have a Miller Lite…Thanks!

We’ll share with you our adventures of this morning in tomorrow’s Blog posting.

Enjoying local partying spots is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Louisiana. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…
http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2013
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

Chicot State Park, Louisiana – Day 5

The motorhome is parked at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, Louisiana. We are scheduled to depart here today.

Yesterday we took the Bronco and drove around some area back roads and because we need to do some grocery shopping, we ended up back in Ville Platte about 10 miles south of our parking location.

One of the places we ended up visiting is Teet’s Food Store which enjoys a reputation for the best smoked meats in the area.

Lawrence “Teet” DeVille founded the business in 1995. We had the pleasure of meeting him. He speaks with a heavy French accent when he told us about his business. The business is now under the ownership of son Chris who has worked there for over 25 years. Third generation Luke also works there but was not there when we visited. You can buy their products from their official website link…
http://stores.teetsfoodstore.com/StoreFront.bok

Here are some photos that I took…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

Lawrence and Ruby DeVille a long tie ago…

Lawrence and Chris…

They took us out back and showed us the smokehouse that has been in operation since 1974…

They use oak wood to start a fire in this container, then wheel it into the smokehouse.,,

Depending on how much meat is in the smokehouse, the process takes 6-8 hours…

The finished products…

A photo of the original store that was across the street…

An award from a 2012 professional competition…

Mary bought several smoked meats that we will be soon enjoying.

Ville Platte also has a couple of other signs that lots of other places should have…

Enjoying local authentic foods is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Louisiana. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…
http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2013
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

Chicot State Park, Louisiana – Day 4

The motorhome is parked at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, Louisiana. We are scheduled to depart here tomorrow.

Yesterday was a delightful sunny, 69 degree, day with a gentle breeze. We had a very leisurely day…doing minor repairs and some regular maintenance on the motorhome and Bronco. We took the Bronco to see other areas of the park. Here are some of the photos that I took…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

In other news…some sad news for me…

I received a phone call a few days ago from Ceecee Canvasser telling me that my very good friend Aaron, age 73,  suffered a stroke while dancing…which he loved to do. Yesterday she called again telling me he had passed away. I first met Aaron and CeeCee back in 1997 and over the years developed a very close relationship. Somewhere along the way we got to calling each other…Uncle. Uncle Aaron and I shared many, many hours of interesting conversation together. I shall miss Uncle Aaron greatly. Rest in peace amigo…

Marys husband George was 73 years old when he passed away in 2000. Mary and I will both become 73 later this year. Hmmmm….

Enjoying beautiful state parks is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Louisiana. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…
http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2013
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

Chicot State Park, Louisiana – Day 3

The motorhome is parked at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, Louisiana. We are scheduled to depart here on Friday.

Built in 1939, at 6,400 acres with 198 campsites, it’s Louisiana’s largest state park. You can read about Chicot State Park, Louisiana by clicking this Wikipedia link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicot_State_Park

The reason we are here is that it’s located along the Zydeco Cajun Prairie Byway which you can read about by clicking this link…
http://zydecocajunbyway.com/links.html

Yesterday we took the Bronco the about 10 miles south to the city of Ville Platte (Flat Town in French). You can read about Ville Platte by clicking this Wikipedia link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ville_Platte,_Louisiana

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

Before we headed out, I took this photo of our neighborhood squirrel…

Here’s a few shots of around Ville Platte…

The old bank building is now a restaurant called The Cock’s Tail which features a lot of paintings by local artists. We did not eat there, but you can find out about this place by clicking this link…
https://www.facebook.com/Brownren

Because Mary and I are no-salt people, we were intrigued by Jack Miller’s Seasoning with no salt, we went to Jack Miller’s factory where they make a variety of Cajun seasonings and sauces. You can read about them and order their products by clicking their official website link…
http://www.jackmillers.com/

We were greeted by second generation owner Kermit Miller and third generation follow-up Christian. They explained that they do not make the no-salt seasoning at that location which makes only barbecue sauce. They further explained that Jack Miller started in the restaurant business in 1941 and has been making seasonings and sauces since 1955. Here are some of the photos that I took…

They gave us a sample of their products…

I’ve tasted Jack Miller’s products in the past and they are delicious! Try them…you’ll like them!

Enjoying visiting local businesses is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Louisiana. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…
http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2013
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust

Chicot State Park, Louisiana – Day 2

The motorhome is parked at Chicot State Park near Ville Platte, Louisiana. We are scheduled to depart here on Friday.

Built in 1939, at 6,400 acres with 198 campsites, it’s Louisiana’s largest state park. You can read about Chicot State Park, Louisiana by clicking this Wikipedia link…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicot_State_Park

The reason we are here is that it’s located along the Zydeco Cajun Prairie Byway which you can read about by clicking this link…
http://zydecocajunbyway.com/links.html

Yesterday, with a weather forecast of severe thunderstorms with hail and a possible tornado, we decided to stay close to the motorhome. We drove the Bronco the about three miles to the arboretum, within the boundaries of the state park. You can read about the arboretum by clicking this link…
http://www.crt.state.la.us/parks/iarbor.aspx

The dictionary defines an arboretum as a place where trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants are cultivated for scientific and educational purposes. Here are some of the photos that I took…

As always you may left click upon an image to see an enlarged view and then click once again to see an even larger view…

As promised, we had several HEAVY THUNDERSTORMS WITH DIME-SIZED HAIL. Fortunately, no tornadoes. Here’s a shot of the Bronco looking through the passenger windshield…

In this next photo, about 150 feet away, as seen through the driver’s windshield, on the left a blue tarp covers a tent and on the right, their truck is barely visible…

The storm as seen through the dinette window…

Enjoying arboretums and thunderstorms is another joy in the life of a full-time RVer!

The red dot on the below map shows our approximate location in the State of Louisiana. You may double left-click the map to make it larger…

Enjoying 65-75 degree temperatures most of the year is a primary joy in the RVing lifestyle!

“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving”…Albert Einstein

If you have not checked out my Ramblin Man’s Photos Blog, you can do so by clicking this link…
http://ramblinmanphotos.wordpress.com/

All original material Copyright – Jim Jaillet 2013
For more information about my three books, click this link:
http://www.lulu.com/spotlight/panamaorbust