Scott was up by 6:30 and patiently waited for the rest of us to wake up. It was a bit of a rough night of sleeping.  We had been used to sleeping in a comfortably air conditioned basement.  It was only seventy-nine degrees, but incredibly humid.  The frogs were giving quite a show and even Cody was hoping they might have an intermission so we could slip off to sleep.

We were surrounded by water and yet I didn’t see a single mosquito.  We discovered that we had picked quite a beautiful site despite having to choose it in the dark.

We drove to the day use area to cook up some breakfast at a picnic table.  This is what I call a kitchen with a view.  We were surrounded by water here too.  The boys had eggs while the ladies had yogurt and cereal.

We were on the road by 9:30 heading towards Lafayette, LA

We stopped a little after 11 at the Vermilionville.  We learned about the history of the settlement of the area, watersheds, animals, architecture, and more.

In the first house we entered we also learned about how the warm ocean waters cause hurricanes.

Scott was on a mission to see an alligator.  We sat at the end of almost every pier looking into the dark water for air bubbles.  Scott wasn’t getting any gators waiting for them, so he extended an arm towards the water, I just happened to be in the way, to give the gators some bait.  Despite his extra effort no gators jumped up to greet him to Louisiana.

In the 1910’s laws were passed banning the use of any language besides English in an effort to “Americanize” new settlers to the area.  The musician in the schoolhouse was quite knowledgeable and entertaining. He spoke about the blending of cultures in language, music, and even food.

These are two of Scott’s favorite areas: woodwork and blacksmith shops.

There is a tiny turtle on the pier.  Not long before we arrived there was a gator on the pier.

The flowers and flowering trees were so beautiful.

Scott discovered a ferry that you could pull yourself across a waterway with via a rope.

The wreath in the picture frame is of human hair. The docent wasn’t sure of the symbolism, but was fairly certain that it wasn’t a memorial as it is a open loop rather than closed, as is customary.

Turns out you can’t bait the alligators at this site, much to Scott’s disappointment.  As I walked back to the van I couldn’t help but notice how low to the ground the van is on our trips.

Finally!  The Fox house!  Scott and I were here almost twenty years when we traveled the country.  Duck and Linda showed us a Mardi Gras experience we will never forget and probably will never be matched again.  Not that we would want to try, we are older now and the energy level isn’t quite what it used to be.  Well, maybe Duck’s is still the same!

Duck’s daughter was the same age as ours.  They started off playing the game of Life.  Linda had asked what we wanted to drink ahead of time.  I had messaged back, “Surprise us!”  We were treated to Red Roosters.  The food was flowing and I may have eaten more in one afternoon than I had in the entire week, but the warm laugher that flowed filled us more than anything.

Duck’s kids took ours down to the coulee, the creek flowing strong from the rain that had just rolled through.

Sock it to me cake.  I had moved from the counter of food so I would stop eating and I had to ask about the cake that had a sticker on it that said, “Sock it to me.”  Turns out it is a delicious cake.  Linda, or Gammer, and Scott’s mom have been friends since childhood. She was very similar to Wendy in her continued offers to make us food and bring us anything we could possibly want. Consequently the minute I asked about it she jumped up and had a piece in front of me.  This is why I was laughing hysterically.  I was just asking about, not necessarily needing the cake.  It tasted like coffee cake covered in some extra sugar.  Mmm.  Scott really liked Linda’s nickname of Gammer.  Her first grandson couldn’t say Grandma, so she’s been Gammer ever since.

The kids ran in the sprinkler and sprayed each other for a bit.

Duck’s son showed Cody his Nerf gun and then they moved out back to shoot some more.

Scott went outside to check on the boys and then he disappeared.  Turns out he was napping on the porch swing.  It was at this point that I decided we should be responsible and let the Fox Family get ready for the work week and head on down the road.  Scott had other ideas and it seemed I was the only one in the room looking to end the party.  So we stayed.

The kids were dropping off fast, so we made up the beds on the floor and then played some Uno.  Although, most of us were so tired we might have spent more time trying to figure out whose turn it was than actually playing.  We took breaks outside to chat and to check on the kids, but it was a warm and relaxed evening filled with laughter.  I’m thankful the Fox Family was willing to keep us overnight, our cheeks were stuck in smiles as we drifted off to sleep.