News: Arkansas

Ark-A-Bago
Local Chapter
By Gloria Stout

LOUISIANA - Wow! What a week we had at Poche's Fish–N-Camp R.V. Park in Breaux Bridge, LA (April 11 - 16). Fourteen Bago coaches began arriving four to six days early to be sure they did not miss out on the special events our wagonmasters had planned for us. Activities began on Saturday as we caravanned 50 miles to Denham Springs to the home of Gene Wyble's brother, Charles and Gina Wyble. They prepared large pots of seafood gumbo, white beans and sausage, and hamburgers and our ladies brought the extras to complete the authentic Cajun meal. Chapter members were amazed by a demonstration of his airboat's engine and fan power.

Members were out early on the trails for an early morning jog or walk, followed by coffee with Elvan. Sunday, many attended nearby church services. That afternoon, we carpooled to the fairgrounds in New Iberia to attend the Cajun Hot Sauce Festival with live Cajun music and dancing. Many vendors were in competition for the cook-off with their own Cajun cooking of jambalaya, gumbo, sausages and chicken, jellies and hot sauces. The evening drew Bagos to the clubhouse for a relaxing time of games, cards and, of course, "On The Bus."

On Monday a lunch prepared by the Wybles preceded an exciting afternoon of bingo. Among the prizes were two leather handbags and an assortment of tools.

If you were lucky enough to get a sticker on the bottom off your package, you were able to
exchange your gift with another for their gift. One lady chose a bag containing a booby prize, not once but two times. Everyone got a prize and had lots of fun.

Our evening meal brought us to Crawfish Town in nearby Henderson. We enjoyed Cajun cuisine from seafood gumbo to boiled shrimp to catfish and hamburgers. We sampled fried alligator - not bad, it tasted like fried chicken fingers. The Stouts were brave enough to order a huge bowl (three pounds) of boiled crawfish. It was a time of snap, crack, and peel. Marion said, "never again." He worked so hard shelling the crawfish that he almost starved to death in the process. Gloria said, "I love them, bring me more!"

Tuesday half of our group left camp early for a Swamp Tour on Lake Martin while the other half enjoyed a walking tour of Breaux Bridge. Lunch was OYO then we reversed the schedule. The Swamp Tour was hosted by Byron Champaign. The swamps are known for their amazing wildlife and beauty. He informed us that the swamps were home to 205 different species of birds, such as snowy egrets, horned owls, wild ducks, blue herons, pleated woodpeckers, turtles, snakes and many alligators. We saw beautiful blooming flowers, tupelo gum trees, and Spanish moss hanging from a 500-year old cypress tree. The walking tour was quite interesting. History tells us that in 1799, Firmin Breaux, an Acadian pioneer, began buying land in this area where he built the first suspension footbridge across the Bayou Teche Corridor to help ease the passage for family and friends. This bridge was likely made of rope and small planks and was stabilized by being tied to small pilings located at each side of the bridge as well as to a pair of huge live oak trees on both sides of the bayou. This bridge was named Breaux Bridge thus giving name to the present day town of Breaux Bridge, LA. In 1818, Firmin's son built the first vehicular bridge, allowing passage of wagons and thus increased commerce in the area. Presently, Breaux Bridge is known for its Cajun French ancestry and its crawfish farming. It is nationally known as "the Crawfish Capital of the World."

Wednesday we ventured to Vermilionville for a boat ride and a walking tour of the town. From the informative brochures, we learned that in 1755 French speaking Acadians, known as Cajuns, were forced by the British to leave their homeland of Nova Scotia, Canada and sent into exile in Southern Louisiana. Once here, these Cajuns joined with Native Americans, Creoles (the descendents of Africa), West Indian and European pioneers. Here in Louisiana, they survived and flourished and their stories are being recreated today in this special place called Vermilionville, LA.

Thursday we motored over to Avery Island to tour the factory where the World Famous Tabasco Pepper Sauce is made. Each January, Capsicum Pepper Plant seeds are planted and grown in greenhouses on the island and exported to Central and South America where they are cultivated and harvested. The peppers are sent back to the factory on Avery Island to be mashed and prepared for aging three years in white oak barrels with the lids covered with salt from Avery Island. They are then mixed with premium vinegar and other ingredients, stirred continuously for a month, strained and poured into bottles, and labeled "McIlhenny Co. Tabasco Brand Pepper Sauce." Tabasco Pepper Sauce is shipped to many different countries around the world. While there on Avery Island, we visited the beautiful Avery Island 200-acre jungle gardens and bird sanctuary.

Thursday we ate dinner at Mulate's and enjoyed our last Cajun meal while listening to French Cajun music, a finale to a great Cajun Country adventure. Etoufee (ay too FAY) and Jambalaya (Jum ba LIE ya) YOU ALL!!!

A big "thank you" was given to Gene and Brenda Wyble for a wonderful week in LA. They were even nominated to be full-time wagonmasters for all our future campouts. Would you believe they so graciously declined the offer. Such an honor - and they declined. Sincerely, "thank you," Gene and Brenda, for such a wonderful and memorable week in YOUR homeland. You certainly were remarkable wagonmasters during this whole Ark-A-Bago trip!

Winnebago-Itasca Travelers