Sunday, Valentine's Day, we quickly packed the truck and got on the road for our annual Mamou Mardi Gras Adventure! We had been having some truck problems the week before- you know the "last-payment-is-in-the-mail-itis". We were confident, however, that all had been resolved and just in time! As you can see...there were still a few adjustments to be made.
Even stranded on the side of the road not sure if we were just going to give up or carry on, we found the humor in the irony...
With no help from Franklin here, we rested our faith in the hands of Ian Macgyv-Miller who on the fourth break down finally patched the issue with -no lie- sandpaper and zip ties. I have no idea how, but we made it all the way to Eunice without further issues. We had an awesome afternoon in Eunice (better late than never) and indulged in the food and festivities. We got to watch the childern's Mardi Gras parade for the first time- it was really wonderful. I don't know how I don't have a picture of it, but Blayne had some many beads around her neck she practically fell over.
After the evening in Eunice we headed back to Chicot State Park where the men took all the children and cooked us a lovely dinner. The women got a chance to hang out together and enjoy some quiet and some wine. It was a little unconventional for Valentine's Day- but it was AWESOME! We had a great time.
Above are the usual suspects...all friends and neighbors: The Hoerners (who are the native New Orlean folk and started the tradition), The Batchelors, The Shields and us. It is a great group with lots of kids to help entertain and babysit!
Here are our "cabins"- gorgeous- but a little nerve racking for a parent of a 2 year old...Somehow last year when we decided we needed to make reservations well in advance to ensure we would get the lodging on, or in this case, more like in the water, we overlooked the phyiscal development (and the addition of a baby) that progresses in a year's time. Needless to say, Blayne spent much of the weekend in a life jacket.
This (above) is actually a good preface to the pics to follow...and explains a lot to those of us who have seen it in person. We headed out bright and early Mardi Gras day in the parade as always; This year with a bigger truck, a bigger trailor and a better selection of beads, gifts, etc. After all, we are from Texas.
And although Texans we may be, Texan fans we are not. Who Dat?
(I promise no children rode the duck while the truck was moving.) And, no, we didn't forget our trophy.
Mardi Gras 2010!
Another huge success despite our trying start. What fun! And to think we used to celebrate Fausnaught Day instead!?!
