A couple of days ago, we booked a bayou tour, since it was on our way from New Orleans to Miramar Beach. And we just wanted to get a bit of the Bayou experience while we were in this neck of the woods.
But with Clara’s ear feeling the way it was, we weren’t sure that it was going to happen.
Miraculously, she woke up and was feeling a million times better. After a single dose of the antibiotic! Her hearing was still bit sketchy in that ear, but it wasn’t painful. We were incredibly grateful. And surprised, frankly.
NOLA mural
She assured us that she was feeling up to a Bayou tour and so we decided to go for it! But first, on our way out of town, we dropped by the ‘Greetings from NOLA mural’. Cause it’s freaking cute. And we’re freaking cute. So, obviously it needed to happen.
Raising Cane’s
For lunch, we stopped at another Southern institution: Raising Cane’s chicken fingers. It was most excellent. Also, it is a shame we have picky eaters. We would have been just fine ordering drinks only for certain children. On an unrelated note, would anyone like an 8-year-old, a 5-year-old and/or a 2-year-old? (It’s a buy one get one on the two year olds)
The Bayou Tour
After lunch, Jonathan had a couple of quick work meetings, which he took in the car, but after that, we were off to do our tour! And it turns out, the tour was in Mississippi. We did not realize that. But it was kinda awesome. Cause now we have been to Mississippi, we didn’t just drive through it! Cute! We went and checked in at the desk, and shortly thereafter, we were able to board!
We obviously got to see some scenery, but we also got to see some wildlife. I took really good notes. As you will soon find out.
Flora and Fauna (and we were merry because the weather was fine)
Obviously, since it’s January, the trees don’t have many leaves. 
I’m sure it’s unreal during the peak growing season. 
Cute little guy 
Boaty McBoatface 
There’s a little turtle on the end of that log. Kinda hard to see, but he’s there. 
This is called a bird…. I think I would have a promising career as a bayou tour guide… 
It’s beautiful here. 
Trash panda 
This is a bird. 
Al… 
Alli…. 
Alligat…. 
Alligator! 
This was the only one we saw. I gotta milk the photos as much as I can. 
Now, trash pandas are another story. We saw plenty of them. 
Our guide, Wade. 
Such an unusual landscape 
Oh, now here’s something really special. It’s called a bird. 
Crazy tree (I’m telling you, bayou tour guide is going on my resume) 
This little chick DID NOT want to sit down. 
Rollin down the bayou! 
Wiggly yams 
Funky roots 
More funky roots
After we spent some time checking out the main part of the Bayou, Wade, our guide took us a little further downstream toward the estuary, where the fresh water and salt water start mixing. You end up with a completely different set of plants.
Estuary time
Bye bye bayou 
Sassafras 
So glad she’s feeling better 
Fellas 
We’re in yud 
Landscape is starting to change 
I am a yam wrestler. 
It kinda reminds me of a corn maze. 
We couldn’t believe it. A bird. 
Marshy 
This is called a white bird 
To no one’s surprise, Evie refused to wear her life jacket. 
Squishy little fella. He was more cooperative. This time. 
Man, those clouds 
So pretty Wiggly yams. I was kinda relieved that we were nearing the end…
After we toured the main part of the bayou, our guide took us a couple miles downstream, so that we could see the estuary, where the salt water and fresh water start mixing. It’s amazing what a difference you see over such a short distance. The plants are completely different.
Much of the wildlife is the same. It was lovely. But, by this point, the twins were really started to get crazy. As awesome as everything was, we were kinda relieved to be nearing the end.
An Unexpectedly awesome part of the tour
One of the unexpectedly interesting parts of the tour was seeing some of the evidence of hurricanes.
Many of the houses in the area were destroyed in 2005 when hurricane Katrina happened. Many didn’t rebuild. The owner of this house raised the house up, so that the bottom of the house was at the level that the swells reached when Katrina happened. 
Really puts it into perspective. The bottom of that house is nearly 20 feet off the ground. 
More houses on piles 
So crazy to contemplate. 
These beech trees were knocked down during last year’s hurricane season. As you can see, they have shallow root system, and so many of them ended up in this state all over the area. 
Tall houses 
This bridge is nearly 100 years old. Not really hurricane related. But…. 
The thing has character. And it has sure withstood some hurricanes.
We definitely enjoyed the tour, even if the wildlife was feeling a bit shy. I’m pretty happy that we didn’t see any snakes…not gonna lie.
After we finished up our tour, we hopped in the car and we were off to Florida!
Love all of this so much. Keep up the great work. Miss by grandbabies and you. Be safe!
Thanks Mam. We miss you too. Kees.