Music, Foods and Friends Come and Go

Just as spring brings change to Louisiana, it also brings big changes here at Betty's RV Park. Many people who have been here for extended stays are heading out to places all over North America. At the same time, snowbirds who are leaving other warm winter stops and heading north are stopping by for a few days of Cajun culture. Some of these people are old friends we have met here over the years and others are new friends. Even with all these new people, the good music, good food and good times continue. 

We had been to Dupuy's a couple times for their great oysters. On one visit we ordered a dozen and they mixed up our order and we never got them. We had plenty of other food and they took them off the bill so it was not a big deal. On our next visit, as soon as we sat down the waitress asked if we wanted oysters and quickly brought us a dozen. They were great and when we got the bill we discovered they were on the house. That is real customer service.

If it's Saturday, it's a Cajun jam session. This week it was at Touchet's and many RVers from Betty's joined the locals for a fun afternoon of music.

Calvin Touchet, who no longer runs the bar, was back in his usual chair when Derek and Donna took a break. He has been doing much better since his back surgery.

John, Steve, Sharon and Penny enjoying the music in the Horny Corner at Touchet's.

Velma (a local), Penny, Sharon and Nanc acting up at the jam.

We picked up our friend Ollie, who we met here ten years ago, and took her to the jam. She is a great friend who is still going strong at 90. These Cajuns live a long time.

The music continued on Betty's deck when Dan, David and Steve practiced while Jean Paul who is just learning took note.

One thing that happens at Betty's or just about any RV park is if someone is having a problem people will pitch in to help. Wendell was having an issue with the automatic step and Richard, John and Dan (under the rig) stepped in to lend a hand. It was not a 100% fix, but it was good enough that Wendell and Ruth will be able to travel. One job I failed to write about was Dan and Reid helping me hook up our new DVD/CD player. They not only got the CD working, but by changing a few wires around we can now watch DVDs. Thanks Dan and Reid!!

Of course, every afternoon at 4:30 is the start of Betty's famous happy hours. Since all of us have made so many friends here, we were all very happy to give a big shout out to our friend Ray Wright who had been discharged from the hospital after beating a very bad bacterial infection.  We all sure wish Ray a speedy recuperation.

Jim and Cookie where the first of many departures we will be having for the rest of our stay. While no one likes to leave Betty's, we always say if you don't leave you can't come back. Safe travels friends.

You never know who might be driving the rigs. Wendell and Ruth let Daisy take the wheel.

We are always searching for new experiences in Cajun country and Abshire's was one of those that will stay on our must do stops for a great lunch. It is a very small grocery with a small lunch counter, three tables and great food. We went after the noon rush so we did not overwhelm the place.

At the three tables, top left; Lynn, Richard, Dan, Merlene, right; John, Sharon, Penny and Steve; bottom are Jean Paul, Celine, Sue and Dan.

At the lunch counter are Tom, David, Kathy, Louie, Chari, Nanc, Judy and George and me. That is 21 people and there were only 20 seats, so we ate in shifts.

This is the kitchen behind the counter.  A pot of rice, a very small grill, a little fryer and a four burner stove where Leshea prepares all the food. While the food was being prepared there were dishes for George to wash because they only have 19 plates.

I had the $9.99 lunch special that included catfish sauce picante over rice, green bean casserole, fried catfish, a shrimp wrap and a crawfish mini pie. It was all great and I ate the whole thing.

So many people had the famous shrimp salad that they had to be made in two shifts because the grill is to small for all the shrimp, onions, mushrooms and jalapenos to be grilled at the same time. Those items are put on a bed of lettuce and tomato and topped with a dressing and bacon (that Nanc and Judy opted not to have). After seeing the salad, a return to Abshire's is on my to do list before we depart. 

The gang with Leshea who worked very hard to get us all fed. If you are in the area and want a unique eating experience, you need to add Abshire's to your must do lunch list.

A few of the new people at Betty's who we have met on our many visits here. Ruth and Wendell (middle) are fulltimers who are here for a month with Ann and Don (right), Wayne and Marlene (top left) and Judy and George (bottom left) who are just here for a few days as they head to other places.

The fun times continue and we are looking forward to seeing many more friends who will be stopping at Betty's before we leave in the middle of the month.