"On The Geaux" By Cajun Daddy 

            Good morning cousins and couyons, Cajun Daddy here. It’s good to be back in the great state where I was born and raised. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, why, Cajun Daddy, where for the love of etouffee and potato salad have you been? We haven’t seen you in a while. True, I did leave my homeland for a spell after I retired. Well, actually, after I retired, the wife and I—her name’s Eureka (that’s not her real name, just what I said the first time I saw her) decided to buy one of those big fifth-wheel campers and head out to see the country. Now, I didn’t want to leave my beloved Louisiana for nothing, you understand, but you know how it is when a woman gets her mind on something. They give you subtle hints and generally make your life miserable until you give in, and so it was with me.

            In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be giving you “some background” about my life living in the Cajun heartland of Louisiana and my whereabouts since I retired, but for now, just rest assured that I’m back in the place that I love more than anywhere else in this big-ole world, and I’m here to provide you with some insights into upcoming events that you might want to check out.     

            My job is to give you guys a list of some things to do and places to go around this great state of ours, with a little something extra on the side. Check back weekly for my updates for things to do on the weekends, as well as for my Lagniappe Section which contains what I call my “Hot Sauce” stuff:  The Off the Calendar Pick of the Week and Stuff Cajun People Like. Hope you enjoy it now, podnas. 

Top Five Things to do this weekend in Louisiana: 

            1.  Cajun Music:  Beausoleil, Mamou Playboys, and Feufollet

                        When:  Saturday, July 25^th

                        Where:  Dixie Landing, I-10 at Highland Road; Baton Rouge

                        Region:  Plantation Country

                        Note:  Fiddle, accordion, and steel guitars are the order of the day. If you like to dance and pass a good time, this is the place for you to be this weekend. Free to pass holders or with regular admission. More information can be found at www.bluebayou.com.  

            2.  Feliciana Hummingbird Celebration

                        When:  Friday July 24^th and Saturday July 25.

                        Where:  Rosedown Plantation, 12501 La. 10; St. Francisville

                        Region:  Plantation Country

                        Note:  Celebration starts at 6:00 Friday. Admission is $10.00. On Saturday, visitors can visit the gardens of the Carlisle Rogillion and the Murrell Butler homes. Admission is $5.00. More information can be found at www.audubonbirdfest.com 

3.      Jazz Photo Exhibit. Jam Sessions: America’s Jazz Ambassadors Embrace the World.

                        When:  Starting Wednesday, July 22.

                        Where:  Old U.S. Mint, 400 Esplanade Ave.; New Orleans

                        Region:  Greater New Orleans

                        Note:  The event is free to Friends of the Cabildo Members and $35.00 to the general public. Complimentary wine will be served and a viewing of the photos will be from 6:00-8:00 P.M. 

4.      Wine Tasting at Madewood Plantation                        

                        When:  Friday, July 24. 6:00 P.M.

                        Where:  Madewood Plantation, La. 308; Napoleonville

                        Region:  Cajun Country

                        Note:  Tickets for the wine tasting are $15.00. For wine and dinner, tickets                                    cost $45.00. 

            5.  Carville Walking Tour and Film

                        When:  Friday, July 24. 2-4 P.M.

                        Where:  National Hansen’s Disease Museum, 5445 Point Clair Road,                                               Carville.

                        Region:  Plantation Country

                        Note: Patients with Hansen’s disease—an infectious disease that can cause deformities in the hands, feet, and skin—can be quarantined for life. The documentary, entitled Triumph at Carville, is one hour long and takes you through the history of the Carville compound, the international destination for leprosy patients. The walking tour also last an hour. For people interested in this topic, author—and former prisoner—Neil White has recently published a book, In the Sanctuary of Outcasts about his times as prisoner at the Carville Compound, living alongside other prisoners and lepers.

Lagniappe Section 

Off the Calendar Pick of the Week:  The summer is quickly coming to an end. For a nice and quiet get-a-way before the hustle of school shopping and the murmur of football games, take a trip up I-49 and head to historic Natchitoches, founded in 1714—the oldest permanent settlement in Louisiana. Stay in one of the many hotels or bed and breakfast locations and enjoy the quaint ambience of small town Louisiana: great shopping, dining, and relaxing.   

Stuff Cajun People Like:  When’s the last time you enjoyed a nice chunk of Hog’s Head Cheese? Man, I’m telling you what, you can’t beat a good piece of fiery hog’s head cheese—a unique mix of spices, gelled pork, and green onions. It’s especially good sitting on top a slice of Pepper-Jack cheese and a cracker. Down where I come from in south Louisiana, any get-together wouldn’t be complete without the stuff. As my grandpa use to say, “Man, close dat door!” 

On the Geaux is a weekly column containing upcoming events and travel destinations in Louisiana, with a little something extra. Email items for On the Geaux to cajundaddmail@aol.com for inclusion in the column. 

You know what I like? Gumbo. Once, when the wife and I were in New Orleans we found a whole restaurant dedicated to nothing but the stuff. Man, I thought I died and went to Cajun Heaven. 

            Some people been asking me, “Cajun Daddy, where you gone when you retired. Well, I’ll tell ya. I went up to Las Vegas

 

 

 

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