Fourteen hundred miles after leaving home we are still having a great time.
 State parks are empty and we have yet to see another Vanagon.

A huge thanks goes out to Gene P. who sent us a suggestion which we
followed even though it meant a total detour from where we were when we
read his email.    He said "You didn't ask for suggestions, but where you
are, with a meandering blue highway agenda, brings you the option at one of
the truly great experiences.  In Mamou, Louisiana is a joint called Fred's
Lounge.  It's owned and run by "Tante Sue De Mamou" the widow of the guy
that opened it in 1946.  It's opened ONLY on Saturday MORNINGS from 8 until
2 PM, and last I knew there was still a live radio show broadcasting live
Cajun music from there starting at 9am. (KVPI 1050 AM).  Mamou is nowhere,
in the middle of vast farmland in Cajun country, about in the middle of the
triangle of Lafayette, Lake Charles and Alexandria.  And you have to turn
off the back roads into the town to find the place. Just a fantastic
experience.  Samples:
http://mamou-la.purzuit.com/**video/ObmlfKfZuAc.html<http://mamou-la.purzuit.com/video/ObmlfKfZuAc.html>
http://mamou-la.purzuit.com/**video/inB9Hvrf8JI.html<http://mamou-la.purzuit.com/video/inB9Hvrf8JI.html>
Go for it, wish I could be there again."

Of course we couldn't resist since we grew up in Louisiana (my wife's
father was cajun French and only learned English when he started school)
but we moved away years ago and had never heard of Fred's Lounge.  We were
there Sat morning and what an experience it was.  Cajun music, dancing, and
Tante Sue who is a real whirlwind in her 80's.  She worked the
crowd, handed out boudin sausage, souvenir matches, danced with locals and
tourist alike, and gladly posed for pictures.  We grinned from ear to ear
for hours and one of the old regulars told us with a twinkle in his eye "I
come here every Sat and if there were 2 Saturdays in the week, I would come
twice a week."  We talked with locals, a group of 6 travelers from
Kentucky, and a couple from Ontario.  Our trip is off to a great start.

We are now headed across Texas on roads yet to be determined.   Keep the
suggestions coming.

Harold & Faye

--
Harold Teer
1991 Westy
Harrisonburg, VA