Leaving Arkansas, going south, we went deeper and deeper into the dense trees and swamplands. It was a bit creepy finding a RV Park flanking the AR/LA border. Mind you, we don’t travel by way of the main highway... off the beat’n path we go, by way of the back roads. Well, maybe we should’ve reconsidered - the towns we passed had signs of guns, ammo, cheap gas and tobacco.
The roads became narrower and narrower, the swamps denser and the trees completely covered with Spanish Moss… just like an episode of the ‘Walking Dead’… lots of abandoned trailer homes, broken down agricultural equipment and moss covered trees.
Any moment, I expected a Zombie to pop out ready to eat our brains…. Allan says, as long as they don’t carry banjos… we’re OK, en…e..en..e..en..twaing…twaing… (that was the tune of the Deliverance Banjo sound, just so you know).
The roads became narrower and narrower, the swamps denser and the trees completely covered with Spanish Moss… just like an episode of the ‘Walking Dead’… lots of abandoned trailer homes, broken down agricultural equipment and moss covered trees.
Any moment, I expected a Zombie to pop out ready to eat our brains…. Allan says, as long as they don’t carry banjos… we’re OK, en…e..en..e..en..twaing…twaing… (that was the tune of the Deliverance Banjo sound, just so you know).
Soooo….on our way to Huttig we go where supposedly the Fesenthal National Wild Life Refuge campground of Marais is located. After a couple of ‘Alligator Crossings’ signs, we find our campground…in the middle of no-where! Of course, not a single person was found to register with, so on we go to find a campground site which looked a bit ‘civilized’ with electricity & water, that’s all we needed.
Phew, found one! While swatting all the horse flies and getting rid of a wasp nest under the electrical box, we camped for the night. Dark night… silence… is that good or bad??? Oh well, lock the door and go to sleep.
Next day, waking up to hunter’s gunshots, we found the dump tank and a very heavy southern accented cigarette smoking lady in charge of the camp proclaiming “Y’all had a great night, right?” Hey, who’s to argue, we’re outa here!
Onward we go to find the Cane River Creole Historic Site and the Southern Plantations.
We have migrated from corn country into cotton plantations! Another amazing part of history is upon us.
We got there just as they were closing the park. But, in our persuasive ways, the ranger re-opened the park site and gave us a personal tour of the plantation.
Colonial Roots, King Cotton, Civil War and Old Ways – What does it mean to be Creole?
Historically, Creole refers to those born in Louisiana during the French and Spanish periods, regardless of ethnicity. Creole transcends racial boundaries. It connects people to their colonial roots, be they descendants of European settlers, enslaved Africans or those of mixed heritage, which may include African, French, Spanish, and American Indian influences. Creole planters of King Cotton fiercely clung to their culture which was deep rooted to the crop, the hard practicalities of frontier life and Catholicism. The Creole tradition that had sustained planters and workers for nearly three centuries endured. Some older planters and workers spoke French well into the 20th century. Today, the Creole way of life remains an evolving and vibrant culture. Interesting indeed! Thank you, Mr. Ranger.
Check out our ‘Travel in pictures’ page. I am just ‘IN LOVE’ with the over one-hundred-year-old Oak Trees… AWESOME!
We have migrated from corn country into cotton plantations! Another amazing part of history is upon us.
We got there just as they were closing the park. But, in our persuasive ways, the ranger re-opened the park site and gave us a personal tour of the plantation.
Colonial Roots, King Cotton, Civil War and Old Ways – What does it mean to be Creole?
Historically, Creole refers to those born in Louisiana during the French and Spanish periods, regardless of ethnicity. Creole transcends racial boundaries. It connects people to their colonial roots, be they descendants of European settlers, enslaved Africans or those of mixed heritage, which may include African, French, Spanish, and American Indian influences. Creole planters of King Cotton fiercely clung to their culture which was deep rooted to the crop, the hard practicalities of frontier life and Catholicism. The Creole tradition that had sustained planters and workers for nearly three centuries endured. Some older planters and workers spoke French well into the 20th century. Today, the Creole way of life remains an evolving and vibrant culture. Interesting indeed! Thank you, Mr. Ranger.
Check out our ‘Travel in pictures’ page. I am just ‘IN LOVE’ with the over one-hundred-year-old Oak Trees… AWESOME!