Drawn further east, we packed up and said “goodbye” to Galveston. The Bolivar Ferry whisked us off the island for the low, low, price of free.
We’ve been on several cruises, but our accommodations on this trip were the best we have ever had! Too bad our cruise ended after only 30 minutes. But that was enough to see some wildlife.
Soon we were driving our Grand Suite off the boat, laughing at those stuck in Houston traffic and enjoying our seaside route up the Texas coast on our way to….
The good folks in Lafayette, LA, welcomed us for a two-day stay. Lafayette lies in the Heart of Acadiana, or Cajun Country. This cultural melting-pot wowed us with food.
The Boucherie Board and Crawfish Pot Pie at Bon Temps.
The National Park Service’s Acadian Cultural Center presented a moving historical account of the people who settled in this region and challenged the kids with an in-depth Junior Ranger Program.
We spent most of a day at Avery Island, home to Jungle Gardens and the McIlhenny Tabasco Factory. The factory tour tracks everything from pepper growing and harvesting, to sauce production and bottling/packaging.
The tour ends at the Country Store where you can sample a variety of Tabasco products, including jalapeño ice cream. Tasty!
We enjoyed touring Jungle Gardens, a 170-acre semi-tropical garden established by Ned McIlhenny in the 1920’s.
Bird City
A 900-year old Buddha Statue
Our short stay in Acadiana proved surprisingly entertaining. But before we knew it, we were Mississippi bayou bound.
We settled in at Davis Bayou Campground, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore.
The kids completed the Junior Ranger program.Short hikes within the park revealed the wonders of the Bayou.
Short drives just outside the park revealed the wonders of sugar.
A sugar high propelled us into Florida where we setup camp at the Panama City Beach RV Resort.
We will be in Florida for about a month as we work our way down the Gulf side to the Everglades and Keys and then up the Atlantic Coast. Look us up if you plan to be in the area.
you are right next door !!! getting closer!