A Cajun Blast on the Swamp ( Part I )

After a scrumptious Cajun breakfast, on Sunday, we headed out to find some fun on the Atchafalaya Basin, better known as the Henderson Swamp. It was a partly cloudy day, with the threat of scattered storms, which stayed to the south of the area. Our first stop was Basin Landing, a combination boat landing/bed and breakfast/bar/fishing supply store. It's quite a unique place and takes you back in time with it's rustic charm and retro Turtle's Bar. (click to enlarge)

There were lots of boaters, spending the afternoon on the water.
The water on the Basin is oil free and the fishing and crawfishing is good!

This is a deluxe houseboat , complete with floating kitchen and Tikki Bar! I would love to buy it and call it the Blogland Express! Imagine the fun we could have on this! Woo hoo!

The patrons at Turtle's Bar are very friendly and are usually ready to party.
Lots of cold beer and great music! There is also a billiard room and video poker.

But my favorite part of Turtle's is their fabulous retro jukebox. You don't see these too much, anymore. What a selection! A little Credence Clearwater Revival, elevated the mood!

It was almost time to go to the Sunday afternoon dance, at Whiskey River Landing, but we were starving and wanted to get a bite to eat, so we headed over to the nearby, Landry's Restaurant. 

My family has been eating at Landry's for over 30 years and I have many fond memories of eating delectable Sunday dinners here, with my parents and children, back when seafood platters were only $5.95!

I didn't want a big heavy meal, so I ordered a divine Shrimp Poboy! Out of this world, cher! Not one drop of oil on these babies! Absolute heaven for a shrimp-o-holic, like me! Cest bon, cher!


It was then time to head over to Whiskey River, to dance these calories off. Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin' Cajuns were rockin' the spirited crowd. Whiskey River is a combination boat landing/ dancehall/bar on the Henderson levee. Oh, and there was some nitty- gritty dancin' going on! Lassiez les bon temps, rouler, cher!!

To be continued.........

Wishing ya'll a fun, happy weekend! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

Spring Fever on the Bayou ! + A Cajun Getaway !

We started off the weekend on Friday at noon, at this week's T.G.I.F. Bach Lunch, at Parc Sans Souci, in downtown Lafayette. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and 78 degrees, and just perfect for an outdoor concert and lunch. . It's all about preserving our fabulous Cajun culture and having fun! The addition of two beautiful concert parks to downtown Lafayette has enabled the city to host huge festivals and weekly concerts, at no cost to it's citizens. (click to enlarge)

The crowd was excited and dancing up a storm! Cedric Watson and Bijou Creole entertained the crowd with their soulful, traditional Cajun and Zydeco music! A mighty fine fiddle and band!

Some chose to sit and listen, while others chose to dance a few!

A bon ton' was had by all!

******

Since we've been having one gorgeous Spring day, after another, here in Cajun country, I've really been enjoying all of the beautiful flowers and blooms. Just driving along my usual route, is absolute heaven! The azaleas are in full bloom and are everywhere. It is so wonderful and it all has given me a bit of Spring fever and a strong "ahnvie" to get out to nature, while the pristine weather lasts!

I will be going to the Atchafalaya Basin, better known as the "Henderson Swamp", for the weekend, cher and who only knows what fun Cajun adventures, await me there! This is the perfect time of year to go boating or just relax and enjoy the beauty of the basin.

I am renting my little floating, houseboat chalet, (on right) the same place that I had, the last time that I took a little impromptu getaway to the swamp.

We will also be going to Turtle's Bar, at Basin Landing. And eating some fabulous fresh seafood at Pat's Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant! I cannot wait to have a broiled seafood platter! Divine!

And Whiskey River Landing for the weekly, Sunday afternoon dance. Jamie Bergeron and the Kickin' Cajuns will entertain the crowd. Woo hoo! Hope to see ya'll there!

Laissez les bon temps rouler, cher! The life of a Cajun is oh so good! Hope that ya'll have a fun and fantastic weekend, mon cher amis!! Merci beaucoup for stopping by!

More Cajun Fun on the Swamp + French Rockin' Boogie

After a fabulous lunch of Crawfish Etoufee and Fried Catfish, ordered to go, from one of our favorite restaurants, we headed over to the levee in Henderson for a little fun in the sun. It wasn't quite as hot today and there were clouds, here and there, so it turned out to be a good day for water sports. We boarded the boat at McGee's landing and headed out for a beautiful boat ride. There was a nice breeze on the water that saved us. We ran into friends on boats and jet skis and others who were water skiing. Then, we all refreshed at McGee's Restaurant with iced cold drinks, until it was time to go to the dance at Whiskey River.

 When we arrived, the place was packed to capacity, and overflowing with hot, dancing, nitty- gritty Zydeco fans. Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie were rocking the house. The dance floor was so crowded that when I ventured onto it to get the video clip, I got stuck in the middle of the dance floor and couldn't get out of the crowd until the song was over! I was nearly knocked down by the  dancers, but I well understand that there's no parking on the dance floor at Angelle's Whiskey River Dance Hall. "If you can't keep up with the big dogs, here, stay off the dance floor" !! The wood floor beneath was vibrating so hard that I thought it would cave in or that surely the roof might blow off!! 


 
 Geno Delafose & French Rockin' Boogie