Incoming Journey from Columbia Cascade - October 20-25, 2023
Host Coordinator - LaDeta Crawley, Baton Rouge Ambassador Coordinator - Pat Stryker, Columbia Cascade
On October 20-25, Friendship Force of Baton Rouge hosted 12 ambassadors from Columbia Cascade (Oregon/Washington) and 4 ambassadors from Western Kentucky. Two Western Kentucky ladies came early and were taken on Friday about 50 miles south of Baton Rouge for a guided tour and museum at Whitney Plantation which emphasizes the lives and culture of slaves who were the backbone of southern plantations. After a jambalaya lunch at Rice & Roux we drove through the LSU campus (with its homecoming decorations) and downtown (by USS Kidd, River Center, old state capital) and then visited the state capitol and its 27th floor observation deck before going to the home of Lin Ashton for a small welcome dinner for all four of the Western Kentucky folks and hosts. The Columbia Cascade group had visited New Orleans on their own and did not arrive in Baton Rouge until late Friday, so a more inclusive welcome party could not fit the schedule.
 Whitney Plantation - Main House
Baton Rouge day host Morris Welch with Western Kentucky ambassadors Merry Miller and Debbie Babik in front of church at Whitney Plantation.
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Hosts & Western Kentucky Ambassadors at Welcome Party
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Early on Saturday morning, ambassadors and hosts drove to Breaux Bridge about 55 miles west of Baton Rouge for a Zydeco Breakfast at Bucky & Johnny’s with lots of Cajun music, dancing, and merriment.
Cajun Dancing at Buck & Johnny's
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 Hosts & Ambassadors gather outside Buck & Johnny's
The Zydeco Band at Buck & Johnny's
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Next up was a narrated boat tour of the swamps around Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge and then lunch at Crawfish Town USA in Henderson. For the rest of the day, ambassadors enjoyed free time and activities with their Hosts such as visits to Acadian Village or Vermilionville in Lafayette or sights in Baton Rouge such as the old or new state capitols, LSU, Magnolia Mound, Southern University, the USS Kidd destroyer & museum, etc.
Champagne's Swamp Tour on Lake Martin near Breaux Bridge
Vermilionville
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Cajun Cowboys?
Lunch at Crawfish Town USA in Henderson
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Sunday morning started with a visit to the LSU Rural Life Museum which has numerous outdoor structures from southern plantations and an indoor barn with many implements and artifacts of rural life. That was followed by a catered picnic at the Perkins Road Community Park with lots of food and games. Again, late afternoon and evening were devoted to individual activities or dinners with hosts.
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On Monday, we drove about 30 miles north for a guided tour at the Audubon State Historic Site and Oakley Plantation near St. Francisville where John James Audubon once lived, tutored the owner’s daughter, and did a number of his famous paintings. That was followed by lunch at The Francis.
Main House at Oakley Plantation
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Lunch at The Francis in St. Francisville
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After lunch we went to the Port Hudson State Historic Site, location of the last major siege and battle which gave full control of the Mississippi River to Union forces during the Civil War and cut valuable Confederate supply lines. We visited the museum and then went outdoors for a description and demonstration of the weapons and tactics. Guests and hosts then again had free time for independent activities and/or dinner.
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The first stop on Tuesday was a guided tour of the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion and gardens followed by a self-guided tour of the Capitol Park Museum and then lunch at Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken Restaurant located inside The Queen Baton Rouge Casino.
Gardens at Governor's Mansion
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Louisiana Governor's Mansion
State Dining Room
Entry Hall
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Louisiana Purchase Map at Louisiana State Museum
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Exhibit - Huey Long Era
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Exhibit - Civil War in Louisiana
Slave Life & Culture
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Exhibit - Continuing Quest for Equality
Economy - Oil, Gas, Timber, Agriculture
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1953 Baton Rouge Bus Boycott
Civil War Submarine
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After a short rest or individual visits, everyone gathered for a gala farewell party with jambalaya, white beans, fried chicken, and other appetizers, side dishes, and desserts. Entertainment was provided by Les Danseurs de la Capitale de Baton Rouge who demonstrated several Cajun dances and music and then involved everyone present in trying out the dances and some Cajun musical instruments. Individual ambassadors received parting gifts and they and their hosts were invited to express what they learned about each other and their observations about this journey. Of course, no journey involving Baton Rouge folks would be complete without a Mardi Gras style "second line" procession & celebration and a closing singing of "Let There Be Peace On Earth."
Les Danseurs de la Capitale de Baton Rouge
Line Dancing
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Friendship Force Washboard & Tambourine Band?
Mardi Gras "Second Line"
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