The Coushatta Indian casino at Kinder seemed far enough south to miss the snow. There were plenty of spaces available at the campground.

If I were going to be parked on concrete why not in front of the casino? I later learned I avoided 4" of snow as I escaped Hot Springs just in time.

From Kinder I meandered along highway 90 and spent the next night at the Jennings Wal-mart before wandering on over to the Crowley Wal-mart. I began to pass the ever present crawfish ponds which have wire traps that are baited. Then the crawfish farmer collects them from his boat with a paddle wheel on the back for propulsion. I also began to enjoy spring - tulip trees, yellow jasmine, irises, azaleas. I was in no rush since the Cajun Campground, my destination, was flooded.

Crowley claims to be the rice capitol. It seems that most towns in Acadiana have a claim to fame, a museum for such, and a festival of some sort.

I ventured over to Rayne in the rain, known as the Frog Capitol. Their are many murals throughout the town. In Lafayette I learned that every YMCA is not a place to exercise. Their's was a child care center. So much for exercise on this trip.

At last I arrived in Eunice where I would spend the week for Mardi Gras.

11 FreeRoaders convened on Thursday and were thankful that the flooded bayou had receded and we were able to get into our campground. Here we would spend one week exploring the area and learning more about the prairie cajun culture. Cajun cooking was often provided by Francis and Missy, our fabulous campground hosts.

Each night we gathered around a campfire and listened to various musicians play and sing. The damp weather did not dampen our spirits. In no campground have I found a friendlier group of people.

On Friday we visited the old steamboat town of Washington, the third oldest settlement in Louisiana. After touring the town and a brief stop at the visitor's center we went to the Old School Mall for lunch. The potato soup seemed to be the favorite for a chilly day.

Joan and Elaine making a menu choice.

Phil & Kay dine while Elvis watches.

Then it was on to Opelousas, another old town in Louisiana, for a tour of the Tony Chachere factory. Clark, Vi and Mary avoid the smell of the spices.

Susan and Kay at the Opelousas museum.

Could it be Mary at large, Betty, Clark and Susan??

After our Friday night potluck supper in the campground pavilion those who brought costumes took part in the judging while we were entertained by T-Stan and the Cajun Band.

Vi, Mary, and Clark always enjoy a meal and a visit.

Many pitched in to mix, cut and fry the beignets that were offered to the campers on Saturday morning. After our coffee and beignets in the pavilion we had a busy day ahead. Rose collects the beignets to be dusted with powdered sugar.

Tommy and Clark waste no time in filling their bowls.

The kids play with the crawfish that will soon be offered with corn and potatoes for lunch.

Our first stop was Savoy's music center for the Saturday morning jam session. As would be expected at this time of the year the place was packed and one group of musicians and part of the crowd overflowed into the parking area. People from all over the world join in the music while others sip coffee, eat boudin, and tap their feet.

The instruments don't have to be fancy.

Wilson and friends escape the inside crowd to the bed of a pickup.

Elaine, Vi, Betty, Clark, Joan, Mary and Ardie gather outside of Savoy's for the music.

Fred's was packed and the crowd loves it when Tante Sue plays her accordian or takes a swig of hot damn from her holster.

A few miles north of Eunice we experienced the wild and crazy crowd assembled in Mamou and put in a visit to Fred's Lounge. Each Saturday morning the crowd assembles at 8 until 1 for a live band and radio show broadcast from Fred's. During Mardi Gras they open a couple of extra days.

Then we head back south for a special matinee performance of the "Rendezvous des Cajuns" Cajun Music Radio Show in the Liberty Theater. Normally they have an evening Saturday show which for $5 is well worth the money .. if you like Cajun music. Of course, I assumed everyone does! We (most of us that is) enjoyed two bands: Kenneth Thibodeaux & Cajun Dance and the Jambalaya Cajun Band.

Between the performances we were entertained by some Mardi Gras who came to entertain the audience and beg for "cinq sous" (5 cents) to help with the ingredients for their gumbo.

A member of the Jambalaya Cajun Band in a costume that is very typical for this area. Many of the masks are made using screen.

The Liberty Center in the heart of downtown Eunice.

On Sunday the children gathered at the Eunice armory. Before leaving for their courir, the various age groups had a chance to chase a chicken.

The children's Mardi Gras run left from the National Guard Armory at 9 a.m. and some of us were there to watch the children leave on their floats.

We didn't realize they would be throwing beads and since we were the first people they passed we got plenty.

Meanwhile back in town much cooking is taking place for the boucherie. They are preparing to feed the masses in town for the festivities.

These folks are preparing the ingredients for the boudin.

Mary, Clark, and Kay are reminded of life on the farm. After all, this is a boucherie! The children's courir and boucherie took place on Sunday.

The Eunice area Mardi Gras is a centuries old tradition where the revelers go from house to house on Fat Tuesday begging for ingredients for a gumbo after the capitaine (captain) obtains permission for the group to go onto private property. The owner will throw a live chicken into the air for the Mardi Gras group to catch for their dinner. They don't hesitate to stop traffic on the highway and it is best to go prepared with plenty of nickels.

We first went west to Basile where they are noted for their begging. Then down the road to Iota.

And always there is music.

Now where would Clark and Mary get nickels on Fat Tuesday? The banks, like every place else, are closed.

The group piles onto the wagon for the next stop.

At this house they kneel and sing their Mardi Gras song.

At the end of the day the Eunice parade came through town after their courir. The prizes of the day were the chickens but I wonder how many really went into a gumbo.