Betty's RV Park, Friends, Food, Music and Mardi Gras

We drove the 1,100 miles from the Florida Keys to Betty's RV Park in four days so we were looking forward to resting up when we arrived. Since this is our tenth time here we should have realized that was not going to happen. It has been a whirlwind start to our two-month stay.

The first night Betty made two huge pots of her famous gumbo to feed everyone in the park. Of course as always there was her great happy hour(s) where we had the chance to meet new friends and get caught up with several old ones whom we have met here and crossed paths with on the road over the years.

So much for resting! On Saturday we were up early to go to Breaux Bridge for the Zydeco Breakfast. The Cafe des Amis, where it has been a Saturday morning tradition for years, has closed and it is now at Buck and Johnny's just down the street. Dan and Sue, Kathy and Dave and Barb joined us.

We were there on the right day, as Geno Delafose and French Rockin' Boogie was the band this week. We were not the only people who were happy. After years of waiting, Geno finally got the chance to play with Barb on the washboard. He was thrilled.:-) 

Where's Nanc? Buck and Johnny's has a much bigger dance floor and, as you can see, the place was packed and rockin. We hope to get back here before we leave in April.

On Saturday afternoon we went to the Museum Cafe for the Cajun jam session. This is something we always look forward to as we have gotten to know most of the musicians. The jam sessions are held to help keep the traditional Cajun music alive and we are disappointed to see that there are a lot fewer people in attendance than there has been in years past.  

We really look forward to seeing our friend Ollie who we met at our first jam session ten years ago. She is such a regular they have a special beer koozie for her. 

Ollie, Jim and Elda sharing a hug at the Museum Cafe. I'm always happy to see these two great ladies.

On Sunday we were up early again to get to Scott for our first Mardi Gras parade. You have to get there early to get a parking place and a front row spot for catching beads.

Most of the floats are raised so the krewe members can see the people and throw the beads. All the floats have a Cajun theme.

Bernie, Michelle, Kathy, Fred and Dave having a good time. Where are Dave's beads?

Sue, Dan, Deb, Dodo, Bernie, Carol and John begging. Shouting "Throw me something Mister" is the traditional way to get some beads.

Nanc, Barb, Dan, Deb, Jim and Dodo looking for some booty.

Wow, I not only got a lot of beads I got a Moon Pie for lunch.

Beads aren't the only thing they throw. Sue got a new pair of undies.

Loved the decorating job on this truck and float. Looks like they went mud bogging on the way to the parade. Glad it didn't rain, it would have ruined the theme.

This is Heinz and Angela's first time at Mardi Gras and they loved it. Barb is a veteran Mardi Graser and had a sign to get noticed. There is an art to getting the most beads and it is not what you may think it is..

Kathy, Sue, Carol, Barb, Merlene, Deb and Dodo showing off their catches. This was only the first parade and we are all looking forward to getting more beads and other booty.

Sunday evening we had a Super Bowl party to watch a great game. While Kathy and Dave (dressed in green) where the only people from Philly, I think everyone was happy to see the Pats go down.

A group of us drove to New Iberia to have lunch at Bon Creole. This is one of  those off the beaten path places that has great gumbo and po' boys. They have redone the murals on the building since our last visit making the exterior more appealing.

The lunch bunch at Bon Creole. The interior theme is like a swamp camp.

Another day another great lunch place. We drove to Morvant's in Youngsville, a place known for its fantastic burgers. This is my kind of burger place, they don't ask how you want it cooked because they know that the way they have been doing it is the correct way.

Some of the great food I have had this week. Top left is Betty's gumbo, right is Dupuy's oysters, bottom is the Morvant burger with onion rings and a half shrimp po'boy and a cup of gumbo at Bon Creole. Center is a fried boudin ball stuffed with pepper jack cheese from Billy's in Scott. The food in Louisiana is always one of the things we look forward to when we come to Betty's.

Last August was Bernie and Dodo's 50th anniversary but they wanted to celebrate with their friends at Betty's. It was a fun filled evening with live music, great food and friends.

The happy couple doing the anniversary dance.

The music was swamp pop provided by Don Rich on the piano and saxaphonist, Nelson. They had Betty's Louisiana Room rockin. 

Betty enjoying her favorite musician, Don Rich. 

A grand time was had by all; top Merlene, Dan, Joe and Kristi and bottom Cordell and Monica, Kathy and Dave.

More people having fun, top Celine and Jean Paul, Kathy and Dave, (yes there are two Dave and Kathy couples here), bottom Fred and Michelle, Heinz, Angela, Pricilla and Dave.

As the music got hotter Jim and Bobby took the floor with some great moves to one of our favorite Cajun songs, The Backdoor.

Betty and Dan joined in for a few steps.

Of course when Don Rich learned that washboard player Barb was at Betty's, he said it would be a thrill for him to play with her. This is the second Louisiana musician this week who has had a dream come true getting to play with Barb. 

The ladies Kathy, Deb, Merlene, Nanc, Joyce, Sue, Dodo, Monica, Kristi, Ginny, Barb and Betty were photo bombed by someone. It was a fantastic evening of great music and getting to celebrate Bernie and Dodo's 50th anniversary.

We did all this during our first week in Louisiana and are looking forward to a visit from my brother Rick and his wife Denise and more Mardi Gras fun this week.