Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



Active Topics || Favorites || Member List || Search || About Us || Help || Register || Login
Across Time and Place
 4Real Forums : Across Time and Place
Subject Topic: Jean Lafitte & Louisiana Post ReplyPost New Topic
Author
Message << Prev Topic | Next Topic >>
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
Posted: March 05 2006 at 8:38pm | IP Logged Quote Kelly
OK all you Louisiana gang. We're on the trail of Jean Lafitte and I'm looking for any and all family-friendly travel information/tips etc. pertinant to The Gentleman Pirate and that part of Louisiana (or even LA in general). Has anyone here ever been to his old stomping grounds and is there anything there worth seeing (in the Lafitte arena, that is, I know there's plenty worthy of seeing!)? Also, (this is probably a stupid question, but...) can people visit New Orleans now, is the French quarter accessible? The zoo? The Battle of New Orleans battlefield? Any opinions from our cajuns out there, and please be frank! After all the suffering NO and LA endured this year, I wonder if it's a wise time to visit, on the other hand, I'm wondering if maybe the tourist trade would be especially welcome?

All advise welcome!

Kelly in FL   
Back to Top View Kelly's Profile Search for other posts by Kelly
 
Cay Gibson
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star
Avatar

Joined: July 16 2005
Location: Louisiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 5193
Posted: March 05 2006 at 9:49pm | IP Logged Quote Cay Gibson
Kelly,
PM me your mailing address. I'll go by the tourist bureau and pick up some JL pamphlets. Legends about him abound in this region of LA.

There is sparse info on him in my Pirate's Pantry cookbook that I received as a wedding gift but has a wonderful page on "The Legend of Jean Lafitte" and a map of where his "supposed" treasure lurks:

(1) harbor at the mouth of the Calcasieu River
(2) Dead Man's Lake
(3) along the banks of the Calcasieu River
(4) along the shore of Big Lake
(5) Niblett's Bluff
(6) bottom of Contraband Bayou
(7) marshes south of Lake Charles

I can mail you the map. My dc always seem to make a connection through maps...excuse the pun.

Every year we have
Contraband Days which is when the pirates take over the city for two whole weeks. There are treasure hunts and pirate costume contests and boat races and bathtub races, etc. It's lots of fun and second only to Mardi Gras in New Orleans.

We also had a lifesize, fully attired statue of Jean Lafitte in our Civic Center but the center was damaged during Hurricane Rita and most of it is still closed off. I'm not sure if the statue survived or not.

Probably more than you wanted to know.

__________________
Cay Gibson
"There are 49 states, then there is Louisiana." ~ Chef Emeril
wife to Mark '86
mom to 5
Cajun Cottage Under the Oaks
Back to Top View Cay Gibson's Profile Search for other posts by Cay Gibson Visit Cay Gibson's Homepage
 
Shari in NY
Forum Pro
Forum Pro


Joined: Nov 23 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 358
Posted: March 06 2006 at 8:09am | IP Logged Quote Shari in NY
Dear Kelly,
I think New Orleans is ready for tourists. My daughter is there now working as a travel nurse. Several hotels are open, taxis are running, the French Corner is still beautiful, the zoo is open but ,alas the aquarium is not. Still, sounds like lots to see. My daughter was amazed at standing in Bourbon Street and looking UP at cruise ships. I wish I was there!

Shari in sunny but chilly NY
Back to Top View Shari in NY's Profile Search for other posts by Shari in NY
 
Kelly
Forum All-Star
Forum All-Star


Joined: Feb 21 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1211
Posted: March 07 2006 at 7:56am | IP Logged Quote Kelly
Thank you, Cay and Shari, for your info! Anyone else with suggestions, please let me know

Kelly in FL
Back to Top View Kelly's Profile Search for other posts by Kelly
 

If you wish to post a reply to this topic you must first login
If you are not already registered you must first register

  [Add this topic to My Favorites] Post ReplyPost New Topic
Printable version Printable version

Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Hosting and Support provided by theNetSmith.com