Incoming Journey from Birmingham, Alabama (April 5-10, 2022)
JOURNEY COORDINATORS: INCOMING - LARRY JONAS OUTGOING - VICKI SMITH
FF Baton Rouge welcomed eleven FF Birmingham, AL. Ambassadors for a five day Journey which followed a much enjoyed two-day pre-journey stay in New Orleans by seven of the eleven Ambassadors. Their New Orleans stay was graciously planned and coordinated by our two FFBR members Hazel and Chris Pomfret who reside in New Orleans.
Our Birmingham Ambassadors arrived in Baton Rouge in late afternoon April 5 and were met by their respective FFBR home hosts. Our visiting Ambassadors were introduced to FFBR members later at our Welcome Party featuring a Mardi Gras theme, 'Cajun Dancers' and a jambalaya feast to expose our Birmingham visitors to Baton Rouge and South Louisiana culture.
WEDNESDAY, April 6, started with an early guided tour of the Louisiana State Capitol building followed by a self-guided tour of the Capitol Park Museum which acquainted our Alabama visitors with Louisiana political history and culture. Lunch was enjoyed at the Louisiana State Library in the Capitol View Room. Following lunch everyone utilized the 'CATS' free bus/trolley offering (Route #16) to the Old State Capitol for a movie and guided tour of the marvelous structure plus some area souvenir shopping.
THURSDAY, April 7, billed as 'Cajun Country Day' again started early with a scenic drive across the Atchafalaya river basin and swamp area to our first destination, Jefferson Island. An entertaining guided tour of the Joseph Jefferson Mansion was followed by a walk through the extensive Rip Van Winkle Gardens and all its many springtime offerings. A leisurely lunch and conversation was enjoyed at the 'Cafe Jefferson'. We next meandered through “Cajun Country' to Lake Martin for a swamp tour. All enjoyed an informative and entertaining guided boat tour amongst towering Tupelo and cypress trees to discover native vegetation and wildlife including alligators, turtles, nutria and various fowl such as a pair of nesting osprey and a mother wood duck with her group of vulnerable ducklings. The day concluded by enjoying some 'adult' beverages and local Cajun cuisine.
FRIDAY, April 8, was billed as 'Plantation Day'. An early morning departure to Vacherie LA for a guided tour of Laura Plantation including the Laura Plantation Creole House and representative plantation outbuildings and grounds. This proved to be a most enlightening tour about plantation and Creole plantation life offered by a superb knowledgeable guide. We next ventured to Houma's House Plantation for lunch at the 'Dixie Cafe'. Following lunch all entertained themselves by walking the various beautiful spring gardens of Houma's House Plantation and/or touring Houma's House itself. The return to Baton Rouge was followed by an evening with assigned 'Dinner Hosts' to enjoy a leisurely meal and extended conversation.
SATURDAY, April 9, was a scheduled 'activity of choice' day for our visiting Ambassadors. Guests and hosts collaborated and decided their individual agendas for the day. Varied agenda's included visits to Hilltop Arboretum's plant sale, the West Baton Rouge Parish Museum, Burden Plantation and Gardens; just to name a few of the chosen outings.
SUNDAY, April 10: WHAT A DAY!!! The morning was planned, calm and relaxed, with individual choices of church, LSU campus and 'tiger cage' touring, beignets and coffee etc. Suddenly panic struck as we discovered our planned one hour drive to the Global Wildlife Center (GWC) and their exotic animal 'train' tour would take over two hours; thus leaving us late for the reserved tour. Our I-12 route was closed to clean up a hazardous chemical spill from an overturned transport truck. The result was massive traffic congestion and extended travel delay. Using creative driver ingenuity, skirting numerous detours and utilizing 'Siri' guidance our scattered caravan arrived late to the GWC. Fortunately the GWC chose to delay their final tour of the day almost an hour to allow 'trapped travelers' time to manage traffic problems and not miss the train tour and hungry wildlife. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL!! Our day calmed as we arrived to Bob and Gayle Duncan's home for their featured 'Farewell Party'. Guests enjoyed a Louisiana chocolate dipped strawberry eating contest, crawfish races (no betting and questionable race tactics), a delicious selection of libations, South Louisiana cuisine and conversation. Thanks and Good-byes were expressed by all as the evening ended and thoughts of the next day's departure began.
MONDAY, April 11: We sadly bid farewell to our Alabama Ambassadors after a sequence of South Louisiana sights and experiences plus genuine friendships growth (irrespective of our University's 'rabid football rivalries').
Our Birmingham Ambassadors arrived in Baton Rouge in late afternoon April 5 and were met by their respective FFBR home hosts. Our visiting Ambassadors were introduced to FFBR members later at our Welcome Party featuring a Mardi Gras theme, 'Cajun Dancers' and a jambalaya feast to expose our Birmingham visitors to Baton Rouge and South Louisiana culture.
WEDNESDAY, April 6, started with an early guided tour of the Louisiana State Capitol building followed by a self-guided tour of the Capitol Park Museum which acquainted our Alabama visitors with Louisiana political history and culture. Lunch was enjoyed at the Louisiana State Library in the Capitol View Room. Following lunch everyone utilized the 'CATS' free bus/trolley offering (Route #16) to the Old State Capitol for a movie and guided tour of the marvelous structure plus some area souvenir shopping.
THURSDAY, April 7, billed as 'Cajun Country Day' again started early with a scenic drive across the Atchafalaya river basin and swamp area to our first destination, Jefferson Island. An entertaining guided tour of the Joseph Jefferson Mansion was followed by a walk through the extensive Rip Van Winkle Gardens and all its many springtime offerings. A leisurely lunch and conversation was enjoyed at the 'Cafe Jefferson'. We next meandered through “Cajun Country' to Lake Martin for a swamp tour. All enjoyed an informative and entertaining guided boat tour amongst towering Tupelo and cypress trees to discover native vegetation and wildlife including alligators, turtles, nutria and various fowl such as a pair of nesting osprey and a mother wood duck with her group of vulnerable ducklings. The day concluded by enjoying some 'adult' beverages and local Cajun cuisine.
FRIDAY, April 8, was billed as 'Plantation Day'. An early morning departure to Vacherie LA for a guided tour of Laura Plantation including the Laura Plantation Creole House and representative plantation outbuildings and grounds. This proved to be a most enlightening tour about plantation and Creole plantation life offered by a superb knowledgeable guide. We next ventured to Houma's House Plantation for lunch at the 'Dixie Cafe'. Following lunch all entertained themselves by walking the various beautiful spring gardens of Houma's House Plantation and/or touring Houma's House itself. The return to Baton Rouge was followed by an evening with assigned 'Dinner Hosts' to enjoy a leisurely meal and extended conversation.
SATURDAY, April 9, was a scheduled 'activity of choice' day for our visiting Ambassadors. Guests and hosts collaborated and decided their individual agendas for the day. Varied agenda's included visits to Hilltop Arboretum's plant sale, the West Baton Rouge Parish Museum, Burden Plantation and Gardens; just to name a few of the chosen outings.
SUNDAY, April 10: WHAT A DAY!!! The morning was planned, calm and relaxed, with individual choices of church, LSU campus and 'tiger cage' touring, beignets and coffee etc. Suddenly panic struck as we discovered our planned one hour drive to the Global Wildlife Center (GWC) and their exotic animal 'train' tour would take over two hours; thus leaving us late for the reserved tour. Our I-12 route was closed to clean up a hazardous chemical spill from an overturned transport truck. The result was massive traffic congestion and extended travel delay. Using creative driver ingenuity, skirting numerous detours and utilizing 'Siri' guidance our scattered caravan arrived late to the GWC. Fortunately the GWC chose to delay their final tour of the day almost an hour to allow 'trapped travelers' time to manage traffic problems and not miss the train tour and hungry wildlife. ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL!! Our day calmed as we arrived to Bob and Gayle Duncan's home for their featured 'Farewell Party'. Guests enjoyed a Louisiana chocolate dipped strawberry eating contest, crawfish races (no betting and questionable race tactics), a delicious selection of libations, South Louisiana cuisine and conversation. Thanks and Good-byes were expressed by all as the evening ended and thoughts of the next day's departure began.
MONDAY, April 11: We sadly bid farewell to our Alabama Ambassadors after a sequence of South Louisiana sights and experiences plus genuine friendships growth (irrespective of our University's 'rabid football rivalries').
