Darrow: Swamps and Plantation Splendor

Darrow

December 21, 2025

Hello from Darrow Louisiana population 2000, our first stop after New Orleans. Ironically, 222 years ago (on December 1803), the United States purchased Louisiana from the French. Jefferson said whoever controlled New Orleans was our enemy, and the purchase doubled the size of the United States.

We woke up here in a thick fog, which lasted till we drove to Cajun Pride, operator of a swamp boat operation. We boarded a pontoon looking for wildlife. Alligators lurked looking for Captain Hook. Wild razorbacks rooted, scarfing corn thrown by our captain, from racoon families. Surprisingly, no mosquitoes sought our Yankee blood, despite 78-degree weather.

In the afternoon, we toured Houmas, a Greek revival home with a 38-acre garden decked out for Papa Noel, a Cajun version of St. Nick. Papa Noel arrives in a pirogue, drawn by alligators.  Seems appropriate.

 

Life aboard a cruise ship is a culinary delight. Tonight–tough choices for dinner: Rack of lamb or sea bass or both? And chocolate cheese cake? Praline? Gelato? I think the (in)correct answer was “all of the above.”