Along the Bayou

Thursday Feb. 17: Thibodeaux, situated along the 65+ mile Bayou Lafourche [see photo], is where Beverly lives (bowling friend of Ruth’s from early ‘70’s New Orleans). Our first evening there Beverly took us out for local food (catfish, shrimp, gumbo, oysters) at Politz’s Restaurant. It does such a big business it only opens Thursday through Sunday. The place was packed.

Friday Beverly gave us a great tour starting with the Acadian Cultural Center where we learned all about the French Canadians who were expelled from Nova Scotia in 1755, then settled in Louisiana. You can read about their trials and tribulations here, or in Longfellow’s Evangeline Other highlights on our tour: Rienzi Plantation Home, photo with Ruth and Tom (for sale, by the way – Ruth considered it), Laurel Valley Plantation (abandoned sugar cane operation – not considered) [Photo shows abandoned worker housing], St. Joseph’s Cathedral (magnificent parish church dating back to 1817), and lunch at Bubba’s II overlooking the bayou, an eatery icon for the area (and “No. 1 Sports Bar in America”). There were alligators around there but none appeared for our ready cameras.

One of our best experiences came at the Jolly Inn in Houma, LA, a Cajun music hall and café. Oh boy, Tom and Ruth even danced! Together! More than that they JOINED the zydeco band….