Spotlight: Honey Island Swamp; Slidell, LA

Spotlight: Honey Island Swamp is a marshland, north-east of Lake Pontchartrain, near the Louisiana/Mississippi border. The swamp got its name due to the abundance of honey bees that were found on one of the islands. The swamp, managed by the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, is regarded as one of the least altered swamps in the country, and covers an area more than 20 miles long by 7 miles wide (approximately 70,000 acres). The swamp is inhabited by a large variety of fauna, including various species of: alligators, turtles, snakes, frogs, birds, fish, nutria, deer, red fox, bobcat, black bear, feral hogs, opossum, raccoon, otter, beaver, muskrat and mink. Legend also claims that it is the home of the Honey Island Swamp Monster - a creature similar to Bigfoot.

Honey Island Swamp

     The Honey Island Swamp Tour is conducted on small boats (both covered and uncovered) that allow deep access into the swamp. The boats are Coast Guard-inspected and the tours are given by knowledgeable, licensed professionals native to the area.

On the boat with our guide

Location: 41490 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell, LA 70461; Lat: 30.3030228   Lon: -89.706459 (about a 45-minute drive from New Orleans).

Cost: $34/adult, $23/child (cash); group rates are available for groups of 16+

Time: The 2-hour tour is offered daily (except major holidays) at 9:00 am, 11:30 am, 2 pm and sometimes at 4:30 pm (seasonally). Guests are asked to arrive 1/2 hour early.

Description: The Honey Island Swamp Tour was the most fun activity we did on our Louisiana trip. The day we were supposed to go, there was a tornado that touched down on the other side of the lake, and rain was coming down in torrents. Luckily, we were able to reschedule without paying a fee.

Large mansion - riverside property

Typical riverside home

Small riverside cabins

     The tour was very interesting. Our guide told us stories about growing up along the swamp, as well as details about the local flora and fauna - including some of the homo sapiens that live in a wide variety of homes along the river banks travelling to and from the swamp. On the tour we saw several alligators, a raccoon, apple snail eggs, a turtle, two snakes, some crawfish (caught in a trap), egrets, herons and ducks. The gators and raccoon were enticed to come close to the boat through the judicious use of marshmallows so that we could get some excellent pictures.

Gator on the prowl

Swamp raccoon

Egret along the riverbank

Rating: 5 stars

Things You Should Know: - Reservations are required (985-641-1769)

- To reach Honey Island Swamp, you will need to cross Lake Pontchartrain via HWY 11 or I-10. The highway crosses the lake on an extended bridge.

- Remember that the animals on the tour are wild. The guide will remind you to keep your body inside the boat at all times because the gators are looking for a hand out.

Gator looking for a handout

- The Honey Island Swamp Tour does offer hotel pick-up (7:45 for the 9:00 am tour; 12:30 for the 2 pm tour) for guests for an additional fee. 

- Guests are asked to pay in cash.

Nearby: Lake Pontchartrain, Lake Catherine, New Orleans, Lake Borgne (actually an estuary)

Spotlight: New Orleans, LA

Spotlight: New Orleans was founded in 1718 by French colonists. The city, and its port, were the crown jewel of French territory in North America. When the newly created United States tried to purchase the city and port from France, they were originally rebuffed. However, when  Napoleon found himself in an economic crisis that threatened his vast empire, he offered to sell the entire territory (most of the Mississippi's drainage basin west of the river) to the United States for 15 million dollars (approximately $18 per square mile). Of course, this didn't take into consideration the Native American's claims to the land. Following the purchase, Anglo-Americans flooded into the city during the early 1800's, doubling its size by 1840, when it became the young nation's third most populous city - and its wealthiest. The state of Louisiana was established in 1812, with New Orleans as its capital city. Less than a year later, the city was the site of the Battle of New Orleans - the final armed conflict of the War of 1812. Today, the former state capital is still the largest city in the state of Louisiana, with a population of about 400,000 people. Due to its ideal location on the delta of the Mississippi River, the port of New Orleans remains one of the major economic and commercial hubs in the Gulf area of the Caribbean Sea. 

     New Orleans is famous for its unique Creole culture (a unique mixture that blends aspects of the original indigenous inhabitants, the early French settlers, and the infusion of slaves imported from Africa). Among the culturally diverse aspects of Creole culture, visitors are intrigued by NOLA's unique jazz music, Creole cuisine, the colonial architecture that dominates the French Quarter, the vibrant night life along Bourbon Street, and its annual festivals - particularly Mardi Gras. It is no wonder that New Orleans is often described at the "most unique" city in the United States. In addition to the activities highlighted below, other interesting sites in the city include: The Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 (2.5 stars), the mansions of the Garden District (2 stars), City Park, and a Jazz Cruise on the Steamboat Natchez (3 stars).

Lafayette Cemetery No. 1

The Robinson Mansion (Garden District)

Jazz Cruise on Steamboat Natchez

Activities: 

The National WWII Museum:  The National WWII Museum is an interactive, immersive experience that features several galleries: The Arsenal of Democracy Gallery (Louisiana Memorial Pavilion) focuses on telling the story of how the war was won with a series of exhibits taking visitors from the worldwide pre-war society through each stage of the war up through the Manhattan Project. The Road to Berlin: European Theater Galleries focuses on the U.S. campaign to defeat the Axis powers in Europe and preserve Freedom. "From faltering first battles in North Africa to the bloody struggle at Germany's doorstep, the immersive galleries in Road to Berlin recreate actual battle settings and villages—with crumbling walls, bomb-torn rooftops, icy pathways, and a chillingly realistic soundscape—as the evocative backdrop for period newsreels, video histories, interactive kiosks, macro-artifacts, and digital displays dive deeper into the story.". The Road to Tokyo: Pacific Theater Galleries retrace the U.S. journey from Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay. "Exhibits explore the evolving strategy for fighting relentless Japanese forces in Asia and the Pacific, examining cultural differences, logistical challenges, and the staggering range of extreme conditions that confronted American military forces." The Liberation Pavilion explores the end of World War II, the Holocaust, the postwar years and the war's continuing impact on society today. The U.S. Freedom Pavilion features six restored WWII planes, as well as several other restored vehicles from the war. The Hall of Democracy features special exhibits that periodically change. The Solomon Victory Theater is where you can experience Beyond All Boundaries - a 4D experience (48 min.) is narrated by Tom Hanks and features "dazzling effects," CGI animation and personal experiences from individuals who participated in the conflict.

Military uniforms from WWII

WWII fighter plane and vehicles

Visual aide of troops at the time the U.S. entered the war

Location: Located in the New Orleans Historic Warehouse District at 525 Andrew Higgins Boulevard. There is a somewhat reasonably priced parking garage across the street.

Hours: Open daily from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm except for Mardi Gras day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Christmas Day. For WWII enthusiasts, this is easily an all day activity. We spent 2 hours (without seeing the movies) and explored less than half of the museum's galleries.

Cost: $36/adult, $33/senior, $26/student, $26/military; Two extra on-site movies: Beyond All Boundaries & Priddy Family Freedom Theater are $9 each or $12 for a combo ticket; Second Day ticket - $15

Rating: 5 stars

Jackson Square: Formerly known as Place d'Armes by the French, and Plaza de Armas by the Spanish, Jackson Square is a plaza at the east end of New Orleans in the French Quarter. The square was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1960 for it's historical importance to the city and the nation.

Statue of Andrew Jackson

It was here, in the Cabildo (on the NW corner of the Square), that the territory of Louisiana was officially transferred to the United States on December 20, 1803 following its purchase from France. The Cabildo served as the center of New Orleans government, under the Spanish, French and United States, until 1853. It has since been converted into a museum featuring various permanent and temporary exhibits of historical importance. Currently, the exhibits include: the Marquis de Lafayette, the Battle of New Orleans, Rodrigue: Before the Blue Dog, the Legacy of Spain in New Orleans, and the history of the Cabildo.

Battle of New Orleans Exhibit at El Cabildo

The St. Louis Cathedral (located on the northern side of the Square) is a Catholic cathedral which serves as the Archdiocese for New Orleans. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Louis (King Louis IX of France). The current cathedral was built on the site of a previous cathedral (destroyed in a fire in 1788) and was completed in the 1850's. Part of the building was damaged in a bombing incident in 1909, but has been restored.

St. Louis Cathedral

The area around Jackson Square is often filled with venders and entertainers performing impromptu shows for tips from the crowd. There are also a number of popular restaurants that specialize in Cajun-style dishes.

Artist stands in front of the Cabildo

Location: Located in the French Quarter of New Orleans at 751 Decatur St.

Hours: Jackson Square is open from 8 am to 7 pm daily. The Cabildo and St. Louis Cathedral are open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.

Cost: The Cabildo costs $11/adult, $9/senior, military or student; children under 6 are free. Admission to St. Louis Cathedral is free, but a $1 donation is requested.

Rating: 3 stars

Audubon Parks: Located along the western curve of the Mississippi River crescent, the Audubon Park is the second largest park in New Orleans. A 1.8-mile jogging path encircles the park, which hosts a grove of ancient oak trees, a lagoon, picnic shelters, a playground, tennis courts, riding stables, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, a pool, gazebos, fountains, a WWI monument, a café and a golf course.

Audubon oaks with Spanish moss

Within the park boundaries is the Audubon Zoo. The Zoo spans 58 acres and is home to more than 2,000 animals. The zoo hosts animals from around the world with a variety that would be found in most zoos in the United States, but also a few that were unique to this zoo. There was also an additional section dedicated to animals from the bayou, displayed with a healthy dose of Cajun humor.

Baby Orangutans

Gators lying in wait

A bit of Cajun humor

The Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium are located along the eastern curve of the Mississippi River crescent. The aquarium specializes in sea life in the Americas, with sections dedicated to: the Caribbean, the Amazon, the Gulf of Mexico (or Gulf of America if you prefer) and the Mississippi River. Although this was fairly typical of many aquariums, it had a unique fish that we'd never seen before, the Mississippi paddlefish, which was interesting. Unfortunately, because of the glare on the glass, I couldn't get a good picture. The insectarium was interesting, but wouldn't attract many visitors by itself.

Jelly Fish at the Aquarium

A surprise guest at the Insectarium

Location: Audubon Park and Zoo are located at 6500 Magazine St. The Audubon Aquarium is located at 1 Canal St.

Hours: Audubon Park is open from 5 am to 10 pm Daily; Audubon Zoo is open from 10 am to 5 pm; Audubon Aquarium & Insectarium is open from 10 am - 5 pm.

Cost: Audubon Park is free; Tickets to the zoo or aquarium cost $30-35/adult & $25-30/youth (based on peak times); Tickets for a combo pack to both attractions cost $50/adult & $45/youth (must be used within a week of each other)

Rating: 4 stars

Jean Lafitte NHP: The Jean Lafitte National Historic Park consists of six separate units throughout southern Louisiana, designed to protect the natural and cultural resources of the Mississippi Delta Region. The Acadian Cultural Center (Lafayette), the Prairie Acadian Cultural Center (Eunice), and the Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center are designed to interpret the Cajun culture of the Acadians after their resettlement to the area after their expulsion from Canada by the British following the French and Indian War. 

The Barataria Preserve Visitors Center (Marrero) is designed to interpret the natural and cultural history of the region. The Preserve has boardwalks, trails and canoe tours through the hardwood forests, swamps and marshes that make up the preserve.

Boardwalk trail in Barataria Preserve

Barataria Preserve swamp

The French Quarter Visitors Center focuses on the history of New Orleans and interprets the mixture of cultures that have affected the development of the Creole culture that has evolved in the region.

The Chalmette Battlefield & Cemetery (Chalmette) preserves and interprets the historical importance of the Battle of New Orleans, which occurred on that site. It also protects the national cemetery that was established adjacent to the battlefield in May, 1864. Although a few of the graves hold American soldiers from the Battle of New Orleans, most of the soldiers buried there are casualties or veterans from the Civil War. Other internees are from the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, WWI and WWII, the Korean War and the Vietnam War.

cannon from the Chalmette Battlefield

The Rodriguez Plantation and Macarty House
served as the American HQ during the Battle of N.O.

The Chalmette National Cemetery

Location: Acadian Cultural Center (501 Fisher Rd, Lafayette); Barataria Preserve Visitors Center (6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero); French Quarter VC (419 Decatur St.); Chalmette Battlefield & Cemetery (1 Battlefield Rd., Chalmette); Prairie Acadian Cultural Center (250 Park Ave, Eunice); Wetlands Acadian Cultural Center (314 St Mary St, Thibodaux).

Hours: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm (most sections are closed on Sundays and Mondays)

Cost: free

Rating: 3.5 stars

Things You Should Know: 

- Parking is steep in the French Quarter and tourist areas ($20+ for 2 hours). Honestly, if you don't mind going for a stroll, you'd be better off parking in a cheaper section of town and taking the trolley into the French Quarter.

- Parking for the Audubon Park and Zoo is free! Unfortunately, the Aquarium doesn't have it's own parking and is located in the expensive part of town. If you present your parking ticket from a Premium Parking Lot to the aquarium, they will give you a discounted parking sticker (for $2), but you have to follow a set of instructions (https://audubonnatureinstitute.org/canal-place-parking) to get the rebate.

- Most of the food we had in New Orleans was really good. I would particularly recommend the Camellia Grill (5 stars; open 8 am to midnight) which is located near Audubon Park.

- The Lake Pontchartrain Causeway holds the Guinness Book of Records for the longest continuous span over water in the world (23.875 mi.).

Lake Pontchartrain Causeway

- The Abita Mystery House (0 stars) on the other side of Lake Pontchartrain was the biggest disappointment of the trip. 

- City Park (3+ stars) looks like it could be a fun place, but most of it was closed on Monday, so the only thing we really saw was the Sculpture Garden, which has an eclectic collection of sculptures. 

Part of the Sculpture Garden at City Park

Nearby: Honey Island Swamp Tours, Tammany Trace Bike Path, Baton Rouge (capital of Louisiana)

Spotlight: Homestead Crater; Midway, UT

Spotlight: Homestead Crater is a natural hot springs located in Midway, Utah in Provo Canyon. Simon Schneitter emigrated with his family to Utah from Switzerland as part of a large group of pioneer immigrants from many countries that settled in Midway, Utah to farm the land. "The alpine setting of Midway was reminiscent of Switzerland, making the group of immigrants feel more at home. In 1886, Simon discovered a large, curious-looking rock crater on his farm, with soothing warm mineral water flowing from the rock. It wasn’t long before Simon’s mineral water “Hot Pot” became a local attraction. With the help of his wife Fanny, they began offering meals and attracted even greater crowds. The Schneitters operated the family resort for 67 years where comfort, good food, and the hot water bathing became famous with guests throughout the United States."

The view at the top of Homestead Crater

The view of the vent from inside the crater

Location: 700 North Homestead Drive; Midway, UT

Cost: - Homestead Crater: Swimming in the crater costs $15 M-Th (ages 8+) for a 40-min. swim; and $18 F-Sun. & Holidays (ages 8+); Children (ages 3-7) are $12 M-Th & $15 F-Sun.; Add $8/person if you want to rent snorkeling gear; A 1-hour scuba diving session costs $25 (M-Th) or $30 (F-Sun., Holidays) for certified divers; Non-certified divers can purchase a scuba experience for $150 (gear included; must be 10+ years old) or earn their scuba certificate for $650-$700 (multiple days required to complete)

- Homestead Resort: There are several packages available depending on whether you get a day pass, add daily food and beverage credit, get additional amenities, which room you choose, and whether your visit is on a weekend or week night. Resort packages start at about $200/night on weekdays ($230/night on weekends) but can exceed $1,000/night for a 3-bedroom suite. You can also get a discount with AAA. 

Time: The Homestead Resort is open year-round. The crater is open for swimming from 8:30 am - 10:30 pm (by reservation). Diving hours are from 10:00 am - 8 pm (weekdays) and from 8 am - 8 pm (weekends) - by reservation. 

Description: The resort has a wide variety of rooms to choose from, from family cottages to luxury suites. There are also a couple of dining options on the site: the 1886 Grill Smokehouse (for casual dining) and Simon's Restaurant (for more formal dining), as well as The Milk House for specialty drinks and ice cream. Other amenities on site include: scuba diving, outdoor pools (during summer months), a ski shuttle, meeting rooms, bike rentals and snowmobiling tours. The resort's location in Provo Canyon also offers easy access to several recreational spots including Park City (Olympic Village), Sundance Ski Resort, Soldier Hollow Nordic Center (tubing), and Deer Creek State Park (boating).

Snorklers

The main attraction of the resort is the Homestead Crater - a 55-foot high, beehive-shaped limestone formation. The water in the crater is in the low 90's year round. The pool in the crater is 65 ft. deep and 400 feet wide at the base. Because of its depth, Homestead Crater is the only hot water scuba station in the country. Homestead Crater is one of the few hot springs big enough to actually swim in, and rents snorkeling equipment to those who aren't quite ready to try scuba diving. It also hosts a Stand-up Paddle boarding (including SUP Yoga classes). Of course the most popular activity is to just float and enjoy the soothing effects of the mineral water.

Swimming in the crater

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know:

- Crater soaks must be booked separately from your room reservation. Contact the Homestead Crater to book your soak – 435-657-3840. Reservations are required and should be purchased well in advance of your trip!

- There is no lifeguard on duty, but life vests are required for all swimmers.

- Currently, Homestead Resort is running a special where if you stay for three consecutive nights, the third night is free.

- If you visit Homestead Resort in the winter, make sure that you check out the Midway Ice Castles! These spectacular ice structures are created every winter once the weather is cold enough to support them, and only stay open until the weather gets too warm.

Midway Ice Castles at night

- In addition to skiing, Sundance is also home to the famous Sundance Film Festival, which is usually held the last week of January.

- We ate at Simon's Restaurant, and the food was great.

Nearby: Deer Creek State Park (11 mi. south of Homestead Resort), Soldier Hollow Nordic Center (5 mi. south of Homestead Resort), Park City (18.5 mi. north of Homestead Resort), Sundance Ski Resort (19.5 mi. SW of Homestead Resort, Bridal Veil Falls (19 mi. SW of Homestead Resort)

Nearby Bridal Veil Falls (March)

Spotlight: Yosemite National Park

 Spotlight: Yosemite Valley is the most beautiful 7.5 mile stretch of land in the state of California, and quite possibly the nation. With its magnificent waterfalls, its awesome monoliths of granite, and its stretches of forests and meadows (home to bears, deer, bobcats, and a host of other native plants and animals), Yosemite is simply awe-inspiring. In fact, when photographs of Yosemite Valley, by Carlton Watkins, were sent to Washington D.C., they inspired Pres. Lincoln, in 1864, to sign "the first ever legislation protecting an area based solely on its natural beauty." Although Yosemite was originally placed under the control of the state of California, Yosemite National Park (the first completely national park) was established in 1872 to add greater protection. The park covers 759,620 acres (3,074 km²) and was designated a World Heritage Site in 1984. The park protects several groves of giant sequoia trees and draws about 4 million visitors annually.

Half Dome

Location: Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains in between Tuolumne and Mariposa counties in central California.

Cost: A one-week pass costs between $20-$35 per vehicle; an annual pass costs $70, but you might as well buy an America the Beautiful annual pass for $80 ($20 for seniors). FYI - the park has gone cashless.

Time: Although the park is open all year, certain sections of the park are only open once the snow is cleared (usually late May or early June, but occasionally later) until it is closed by snowfall again (usually November). Although you can see some of the highlights in a one day visit, several days are necessary in order to get a wide perspective of what the park has to offer. Others can spend years exploring the park.

Description: The Park's top tourist stop is obviously Yosemite Valley. The Valley is home to two iconic granite monoliths: El Capitan and Half Dome. It is also home to several famous waterfalls: Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls. Is is also the starting point for a multitude of hiking trails, of variable distances and ability levels. Of course, even if you don't hike, the Valley drive offers great view points of many of the most popular sites. The Valley is also home to Yosemite Village, which is where you'll find most of the amenities that you will need during your stay: dining, lodgings, and souvenirs - but no gas. The park does offer a free shuttle service with stops at the popular tourist spots throughout the valley.

     One of the most popular photo spots in Yosemite is Tunnel View. The viewpoint is located at the entrance of the Wawona Tunnel, located along the Wawona Road - one of the main access roads into the park. The viewpoint offers a spectacular view of Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall.

Tunnel View lookout

     One of the top activities to do in Yosemite is to hike the Mist Trail. Although this trail can be used to hike to the top of Half Dome (about 15 miles), there are other less ambitious destinations. At 0.75 miles, you arrive at the footbridge with an excellent view of Vernal Fall. Shortly past the bridge (0.2 mi.) the Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail diverge. If you climb the Mist Trail for another 0.5 miles up a steep granite staircase (600+ steps), you'll reach the top of Vernal Fall. Continuing for another 1.3 miles, you'll reach Nevada Fall. To hike to both waterfalls, plan on about hiking for 5-6 hours.

Vernal Fall

     Another popular hike is the 5-mile round trip Mirror Lake Loop. The lake's calm surface acts like a giant mirror of the awesome mountains and forests that surround it.

Mirror Lake

     The Mariposa Grove at the southern end of Yosemite National Park has a magnificent grove of giant sequoia trees. The Grizzly Giant is estimated to be 3,000 years old, with a circumference of 90 feet. There is also the California Tunnel Tree, which is the only living sequoia tree in the park with a human-made tunnel carved through the middle of the trunk.

     Yosemite Falls are the tallest waterfall (2,425 ft.) in the United States. The waterfall is actually 3 separate falls with the upper fall (1,430 ft.) being the tallest, the middle fall measuring 675 feet and the lower fall only 320 feet. Although visible from many spots within the park, the popular Lower fall trail is a one-mile paved loop that gives hikers several close-up views of this fabulous marvel.

     Yosemite is heaven for rock climbers. Both El Capitan and Half Dome offer a variety of challenging climbs as well as a few spots where novices can safely try out this dangerous sport.

     

Free climbing at the base of El Capitan

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: 

- All National Parks are free on certain dates throughout the Year. These dates may vary from year-to-year, so you might want to check if you are planning just a day trip.

- Yosemite Valley fills up quickly with tourists. It is recommended that you arrive early (before 8 am) in order to avoid waiting hours just to get into the park, and to find a parking spot once your inside.

- Yosemite Valley is accessible via highways 120, 140 and 41.

- There are no gas services in Yosemite Valley, so enter with a full tank. The closest gas station is Crane Flat Gas Station (15 miles west of the park).

Nearby: Sequoia National Park (123 mi. SE of Yosemite), San Francisco (170 mi. west of Yosemite), Devil's Postpile National Monument (50 mi. south of Yosemite), Lake Tahoe (185 mi. north of Yosemite)