This post reflects the date the entry took place. Because I was using a national wireless connection provided by work, I felt it more appropriate to enter these when I got home. As a result, this is being written on Sunday, April 29, 2007.
Today we planned for a trip to Lafayette to visit the Jean Lafitte Museum and Vermillionville. Both of these attractions offer a glimpse into the rich heritage of the Acadian roots of Louisiana so it was with great excitement that we prepared for out trip. To best accommodate our need for sustenance, we started out by having another wonderful fried seafood lunch (Grannie sprung for lunch, which for me consisted of a fried shrimp PoBoy) then set ourselves to getting out of the house.
We got to the Lefitte museum just before 4:00 to find out that Vermillionville closes at 4:00. So we decided to hang out at the museum and catch a bunch of Cajun history before heading out to Shuck’s Oyster House for dinner. We watched the story of the first settlers of Acadia (Nova Scotia) and how badly they were treated by so many different people. Ultimately the development of Louisiana can be attributed to the horrible manner in which the original Acadians were treated and subsequently banished from their settled homelands. It is very sad, but very informative and educational. It was very moving.
We also learned about the community that was founded in Bayou Shane (sp?) and how the last person to spend their entire life in that community recently dies (within the last 10 years or so). It was amazing to hear the stories of people literally setting in a swamp, and how that swamp community blossomed to about 500 people complete with their own Post Office. Until the Mississippi River decided to intervene, their community was a thriving little place to dwell.
After our trip to the museum, the crew decided to head over to a seafood joint that sells fresh seafood and other Cajun niceties. Along the way, we ran into something that caught Rebekah’s attention and made the entire van laugh. From Rebekah’s mouth to you: “Look, a house made entirely of roof!”
I think the house is condemned (no wonder, half of it seemed to sink right into the ground) but the thought of a house made entirely of roof is plenty to make a family want to laugh. Especially as we began to see the thunder to clouds roll in. But there will be more on that later. Now we get to talk about Shuck’s.
Shuck’s was rocking as a gang of us ordered everything from fried catfish to oysters on the halfshell. In fact, I tried raw fresh oysters for the first time ever and I gotta tell you, I really enjoyed them. The kids got a chance to see the oysters getting cracked open. We also got to see a string of nasty looking alley cats gathering outside. Apparently, leftovers are left over for the cats behind the restaurant. They know when to come to get the best meals of their day. The cats are not much to look at, but they sure are smart.
Anyway, there as not a whole lot left to the trip. The rain and thunder were forecast to come in tonight and they did not disappoint. When we left Shuck’s we were embraced by a torrential rain and thunder storm that most California’s don’t ever have the privilege to experience. And all night long, as we tossed and turned in 70 degree weather, the thunder and lightning, striking about every 4 seconds or so, rocked our house and let us know just how small we really are. I mean literally you could feel the house shake as the thunder blasted the heavens above our heads. It was scary, exhilarating and fun all at the same time.
On the bright side of this whole trip though, today marked a historic day for my wife and I… we have slept in the same bed for an entire week straight for the first time in over four years. Praise God.
Stats: 7/45
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