By
Minuet in G (MinnieG)
(a 1979 Argosy made by Airstream that wishes she could hop on a barge
and sail down the Mississippi River)
Guess I can wish all I want...it's not happening.
Vannie and Dave are members of the Louisiana Airstream Unit.
It seems they never have been in the right place at the right time
to join this group on a rally...until NOW.
Can you see me?.....Right smack-dab in the middle.
Judi and Jim Ruimerman hosted.
They are living in Baton Rouge, so they were
familiar with all the places to see.
LSU CENTER FOR RIVER STUDIES
MISSISSIPPI RIVER MODEL
150 Terrace Avenue
Wow...who knew????
This was a very interesting tour. Our guide was Nancy Broussard.
Nancy used to work for a TV station in Lafayette.
The LSU Center does research dedicated to coastal restoration and river management.
Nancy explained the different land formations
during the last eons.
This project is dedicated to Louisiana's 20 coastal parishes.
and Nancy was part of the treasure. Vannie said she was very knowledgeable
about the various exhibits and loved sharing with all the Airstreamers.
Map showing new land growth...or lack there of.
More exhibits
Dave really wanted to take a spin in this air boat.
Some of the group had taken air boat tours before.
Dave said it was on his bucket list the next time
he was in Louisiana.
The Lower Mississippi River Physical Model
The model is 10,000 square feet and features the
the Mississippi River Delta covering southeast Louisiana.
Vannie said that when you walk into this room your breathe is taken away
from the enormous size of this model.
According to Dave, it was pretty much like a gigantic laptop.
Information can be downloaded and manipulated while studying
these coastal problems.
Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
LUNCH TIME
MIKE ANDERSON'S SEAFOOD RESTAURANT
Vannie's plate
Fried Catfish with Crawfish Etouffee topping
Seafood Platter
Seafood gumbo, Fried Catfish, Crawfish etouffee, Fried Shrimp,
Crab Ball, Hushpuppy
New Airstream Friends
Larry and Marilyn
from Lafayette
Judi Ruimerman
Diana Hobbs and Charlie Davis
AFTERNOON AT THE LOUISIANA STATE CAPITOL BUILDING
900 North 3rd Street
FUN FACTS
Tallest state capitol in the United States
450 feet tall
Constructed out of Alabama limestone
Observation deck and gift shop in the 27th floor
To get to the front doors, you must climb a huge staircase with one step for each of the 48 states, listed in order of their admittance to the Union.
(Alaska and Hawaii were added to the last step when they were admitted.)
The building is topped with a 23 foot tall lantern
It took 2,500 rail cars to transport the limestone and marble in the construction of the building.
Louisiana's 40th governor, Huey Long, was instrumental in getting it built in 1930-31
Cost...$5 million
Long claimed that only St. Peter's Cathedral in Rome
compared to the Louisiana Capitol Building.
On September 8, 1935 Huey Long was assassinated in this building by Dr. Carl Weiss.
There are still bullet-holes outside the governor's office.
...and many stories abound as to what exactly happened on that day so many years ago.
Vannie and Dave have visited this capitol building many many times
when Vannie's mom (Madge) was a housemother at LSU...1970-80.
V and D's kids (Ashley and Emilie) loved riding the elevator up
to the gift shop where there was a plethora of wonderful souvenirs.
Pencils, pencil sharpeners, pens, small pocket knives, banners,
miniature capitol buildings, and, of course, the ever popular
machine that will flatten your penny with an embossed capitol building on it...
...and to V and D's amazment so many of those wonderful souvenirs were still there...
even the amazing penny machine.
The gift shop had spiffed up somewhat. There were really nice t-shirts and socks
and pretty jewelry with the state of Louisiana front and center.
A view of Baton Rouge and The Mighty Mississippi River
Capitol Gardens
In the center Huey Long is buried.
His grave is marked with a 12-foot tall bronze statue of Long.
It was a great rally, even though we did have some rainy messy weather.
Thank you, Jim and Judi...
After the rally, we spent the night with our cousin, Emmilee Green,
in Harrisonburg, LA...
Great visit
(V and D forgot to take one picture...ugh)
Then on for a quick visit in Bernice, LA.
There I am on Vannie and Dave's property.
They hired a guy to clear a spot and create a nice little driveway
and a fence in front with a gate.
Oak Bend Estates
The sunset was beautiful!!!
There is water on V & D's property...
BUT...NO electricity!!!
It was cold!!!
Dave read about heating up a clay flower pot on the gas burner.
Well, darn if it didn't help a lot.
BUT...it was still cold!!!
This was what Vannie slept in. BRRRR
The second night we were there, Dave's hot water bottles were delivered.
Those hot water bottles saved the day.
Vannie said they were her new best friends.
Note to self...when camping in the winter with no electricity,
always pack a clay flower pot and a hot water bottle.
Happy New Year
2023
