I continue to be so impressed by the kindness and hospitality shown me by the folks in Louisiana. And, not to mention, Crawfish and Alligators.
Yesterday, I rode my bike from Thibodaux to Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. The ride was extremely challenging as, at times, the rain was torrential. The worst of the rain hit me on the elevated, four-lane, I-10 Interstate. I-10 is an architectural wonder as an 18.2-mile bridge across the Atchafalaya River and its accompanying swamp. Literally built on stilts across a snake and alligator-infested swamp area.
Towards the end of my time on I-10, I saw a sign for a Visitors Center. Allow me to digress and comment on Visitor Centers. We so often see signs for Visitor Centers and I am sure that the majority of readers, and I, ignore them. But, to a tired and weary traveler, in an unfamiliar area, these visitor centers are invaluable.
I walked into the center and met a woman behind the counter named Marilee Thibodeaux. We struck up a conversation and when I informed her that I was, 1) traveling to Breaux Bridge and 2) hoping to find Crawfish and Zydeco music, she did not hesitate but to invite me to the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Poster Unveiling celebration.
A celebration that consisted of Zydeco Music and a celebration of Crawfish. She also saved me valuable minutes, in bad weather, by giving me proper directions to my Bayou Cabin Bed and Breakfast. I took her up on her offer and, her directions.
First, allow me to share pictures of the Bayou Cabin Bed and Breakfast. To say the least, the B&B is rustic and eclectic, not for everyone, but so much fun.
Bayou Cabins Guest EntranceWhat would a Breaux Bridge B&B be without a 30′ CrawfishThe Bayou Cabins B&B Cabins
After checking in, I was off to the Breaux Bridge Crawfish Festival Poster Unveiling
My Host Marilee Thibodeaux
The 2017 Crawfish Festival Queen
And her court
Unfortunately, I had to leave early as the next day I was scheduled for a Champagne’s Cajun Swamp Tour – a display of 50 or more impressive alligators and other animals.
I knew I was in for a treat from the start
Large
Larger
Up close and personal – Close enough to pet – I was told to avoid that
An EgretA Great Blue Heron
Following the swamp tour, I was off to experience Breaux Bridge Crawfish at “Crazy Bout Crawfish”
Crazy Bout Crawfish
A 3 Lb Platter
Getting Ready to Chow Down
A fast-paced, fun 2 days with Crawfish Festivals, Alligators, and Crawfish. Tomorrow I am off to explore the Civil War monuments in Natchez, MS, and Vicksburg, MS.
Paul Kramer’s award-winning and distinguished career is characterized by a long track record of building high-performance sales and marketing communication organizations.
He brings a high-energy, enthusiastic approach to marketing that is contagious and produces results. His expertise is a unique blend of creativity, technical marketing analysis, and a keen business sense for strategic positioning. He has worked with some of the world's greatest communication companies, including Grey Advertising, Bates Worldwide, Saatchi & Saatchi, D.L. Ryan Companies and Epsilon.
He is skilled in all areas of marketing from both the agency and client side of the business. He is especially strong in strategic planning, global marketing, national brand & account management, marketing communications, licensing and business development. In addition, he has a solid thirty plus year management foundation with accomplishments in P&L management, intellectual property, forming and maintaining strategic alliances and building business.
Mr. Kramer has documented successes in companies from $10 Million to $100 Million in size, with industries ranging from automotive, restaurant to consumer packaged goods and durable goods. He brings an unusually strong multi-product, multi-market background. The beneficiaries of his marketing acumen include Johnson & Johnson, M&M Mars, Cadbury, Toyota, The Stanley Works, Timex, Wal*Mart, Alcoa, Novartis and more.
Mr. Kramer has received awards for his career accomplishments, including a Promotional Marketing Association Reggie for Global Marketing and a Promotional Marketing Association Reggie for Account Specific Marketing. Mr. Kramer is married to Catherine and has two beautiful daughters, Emma and Sarah, and his hobbies include tennis, motorcycling, and boating.
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8 thoughts on “Crawfish and Aligators in Breaux Bridge”
Now that is exactly what touring on a motorcycle is all about. Meeting great people, seeing new things and staying in unusual places. While the Bayou Cabin would not be for everyone, I would certainly stay there, just for the experience. Folks in that area sound friendly and a poster unveiling celebration sounds like a great excuse for a party! Your trip has started just like you hoped it would, except the rain.
So far it has been outstanding. Some great dive bars along the way. Red Goose Saloon in Thibodaux La was outstanding. Great dive and really fun people.
This post made my day! Love the eclectic B&B and can only imagine what Catherine would call it 🙂 What an amazing opportunity to meet the people in the places you’ve visited… to take the time to stop, talk, laugh and eat with them. I love how everyone has accepted you into their community. Can’t wait to hit some dive bars with you and pclouts here when you return. Safe travels my friend 🙂
Looks like a great adventure. Zydeco has been a “secret” pleasure for me. Mostly secret because no one I have lived with lets me play it out loud. Funny that it runs in the family.
Now that is exactly what touring on a motorcycle is all about. Meeting great people, seeing new things and staying in unusual places. While the Bayou Cabin would not be for everyone, I would certainly stay there, just for the experience. Folks in that area sound friendly and a poster unveiling celebration sounds like a great excuse for a party! Your trip has started just like you hoped it would, except the rain.
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Gary, so far, beyond my wildest expectations. So happy you are following. As my inspiration, it means a lot. Paul
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3 lbs of crawfish?!? Impressive. We’ll need to find a dive up here and go for four. Looks like a great visit and ride.
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So far it has been outstanding. Some great dive bars along the way. Red Goose Saloon in Thibodaux La was outstanding. Great dive and really fun people.
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This post made my day! Love the eclectic B&B and can only imagine what Catherine would call it 🙂 What an amazing opportunity to meet the people in the places you’ve visited… to take the time to stop, talk, laugh and eat with them. I love how everyone has accepted you into their community. Can’t wait to hit some dive bars with you and pclouts here when you return. Safe travels my friend 🙂
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It has been the best. I just left the under the hill tavern in Natchez, Ms and having diner at the Magnolia Grill. I’ll send a pic in a minute.
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Looks like a great adventure. Zydeco has been a “secret” pleasure for me. Mostly secret because no one I have lived with lets me play it out loud. Funny that it runs in the family.
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Paul, thoroughly enjoying your adventure and all the places and people with X’s in the name.
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