Down in the Bayou

On Tuesday, Julia and I spent the day being tourists in Louisiana.  We started the day with a swamp tour!



The Jean Lafitte Preserve is a beautiful area.  I was hoping to see an alligator, but I didn't need to worry. We saw probably 20 in the canal and in the bayou.  Our tour captain fed this one to bring him closer (which seems like a bad idea to me!).



The herons, the frogs clicking, the marsh mallows and spanish moss and cyprus trees--it was beautiful and strange.







Our tour captain was delightful--funny and knowledgeable, and he obviously loves this area. 

  He brought out a little alligator and taped his mouth so we could pass him around and hold him.  Not everyone wanted to, but most of us did! This is Julia holding him.




We also saw carp jumping!  The captain said the vibrations from the boat make them jump.



I'm so glad we had the chance to do this!  What a great way to start our tourist day!  Tomorrow I'll show you The French Quarter of New Orleans.