After spending three weeks in the flatlands of Oklahoma, I need to revisit my homeland–Louisiana. Actually, I’m from Texas but we’ve lived in Louisiana for 20+ years; it’s home now. Daughter was born in Louisiana, graduated from LSU and claims the state and the college with Tiger pride. In fact, she discovered the Falls. Here she is standing beneath a waterfall. Okay, so it’s not Niagara Falls but it’s still a waterfall.
There are about fifteen waterfalls hidden within 5,000 acres just two hours northwest of New Orleans, near St. Francisville, and not far from the infamous Angola Prison. One can hike, bike, go birding or hunting on the acreage.

Daughter and friends took a hiking tour through Pack and Paddle. For upcoming trips and events, go HERE. 

Louisiana is an interesting state. Visitors can come any time of the year and there will be a festival they can experience. Check out all the festivals HERE. 

Fais do-do is a name for a Cajun dance party or hoedown, originating before World War II. The name comes  from the French phrase that roughly translates as “go to beddy-bye.” Young Cajun mothers took their crying infants into a “cry room” and whispered “fais do do”, hoping to get their whimpering baby to sleep. It’s said they were afraid their hubbys would dance with someone else if they didn’t get the kiddo to sleep and get back out there. Before the party began, attendees gathered ingredients to make a big pot of gumbo.

 I certainly ate my share of chicken and sausage gumbo … before I became a vegetarian.

Now, if you’re a writer who wants to plop your characters in the middle of Louisiana to fall in love, murder someone or discover weird circles in sugar cane fields, please, do your research. North Louisiana, South Louisiana, Central Louisiana and Southwest Louisiana are all extremely different from each other. There’s nothing worse than an author misrepresenting our state.

You know all those movies you watch (and laugh at) set in Louisiana? For the record, we don’t talk that way!