I left Gainesville, FL at 7:40am today. I would have left earlier, but I had to scrape the ice off the windshield!!! Windshield ice? In Florida? Believe it. We had just wintered the coldest night in north central Florida --- time to head south? How about west?
My destination is Breaux Bridge, Louisiana - just two hours west of New Orleans and 15 minutes east of Lafayette, LA - the heart of Cajun Country, where the weekend starts on Wednesday and the most difficult part of living here is, "Which dance/music event should I attend?'
The weather was sunny and proceeded to warm as I drove west and entered the afternoon hours. Crossing the Mississippi River Bridge in Baton Rouge, LA opens the door - and the radio airwaves - to Cajun, zydeco, French music. With a slow, quick, quick driver's seat dance, I crossed the Basin Bridge over the Henderson Lake shimmering in the evening sun and surrounded by the Atchafalaya Basin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atchafalaya_Basin).
One more turn and I am crossing my last bridge - Pont Breaux - named for the man who built the bridge over Bayou Teche in 1799. After his death, his wife, Scholastique Breaux laid out the town that would become Breaux Bridge (Pont Breaux).
Here, Cajun French is the first language of many residents, with street signs and town markers proudly proclaiming this heritage. But, the town has become a favorite of artists and musicians, bringing huge talent and creativity to this formerly sleepy village.
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