It's Day 251.....It's also January 12 th 2020......and we are in Vidalia Louisiana

It's Day 251.....It's also January 12 th 2020......and we are in Vidalia Louisiana......

OK OK....so much to get to here......This Louisiana.....La Louisianne.....quite a place! I'm Beyond fascinated....immersed ....and excited even ...to learn more about it.....a place that just 24 hours ago....I knew little more about....than the name. Sure...it's "New Orleans....or Nawlins.....if your a local.....that place French colonists founded in 1718, establishing it as a major port city that would play a crucial role in the region's development....and the states economy to this day......and it's Mardi Gras.....that massive 2 week celebration of life, community and culture......and sadly....it was even hurricane Katrina just a few years back.....but as I continue to learn....it's so much more....

I'd just learned....in the last episode......of the fascinating geographic formation of this world of water.....and of the Atchafalaya Swamp.....the incredible work of nature it is......the purpose it serves......and the efforts to save it......there is the fact that we are in a part of the country with more cultural influences than nearly any other.......at least of the places we've been...so far....and there is also the fact that we are now in a state that ranks at the bottom of the list when it comes to things like..... household income levels and literacy rates among it's citizens.....all while these very same people live in one of the richest....if not the richest state in the country when it comes to natural resources....and how those natural resources are produced...and pumped out into the rest of the country.....I've been in Louisiana for less than a day.....and I think I'm in love with this place....and it's people. If I weren't being chased through here by a dang storm.....I'd stick around for a while......and I can guarantee you ......we'll be back.....for an extended imersion into not only the breathtaking landscapes La Louisian has to offer.....but the variety of culture and human experiences.....as well.

Last night in Sulpher......I had focused on the landscape.....how Louisiana came to be......the water......the lifeblood of Louisiana......so during our stay here in Vidalia.....I really want to focus on the people....the cultures.....which I already know.....are the soul of Louisiana.

But before I dig in....

quick reminder.....if your not watching or listening on Spotify or Youtube.....there is a video version of this podcast....I take tons of photo's on this adventure....and have discovered many more....and video's too....so if visuals while listening are helpful...check us out 24/7 on our website....Life Out There dot me......

And this dang storm! Finally caught us.....right here in Vidalia.....but it wasn't to bad....coulda been WAY worse....I really think...in the end....we ended up exactly where we were supposed to be during our very first...."Extreme Weather Event" on the road.....

We made it that 178 miles across Louisiana to Vidalia....I felt relatively good as we pulled into the River View RV park and resort. As I walked into the front office to check in.....the two employee's staring at the television on the wall.....and the weather channel.....well......my first question had already sorta been anwered.......Have we managed to outrun that storm? I asked......both of the very nice ladies pointed to the weather channel...and one said “No tellin…looks like were gonna git some of it…we ain’t too sure how much” Suddenly…I felt just a little less good....but then..... They then went on the explain that they had made arrangements to have someone on staff all night so the entire clubhouse would be open and available should any of us need alternative shelter.....and I felt better again and confident that we had picked the right spot to hunker down for however bad it did…or didn’t get. As I was finishing the paperwork and paying.....one of the ladies looked up and spotted Billie in the front windshield of the motor home and exclaimed....Is that a Bengal? Yea.....I grinned.....that little show off....he's always grabbin the attention.....she asked if I wouldn't mind bringing him in for a quick visit once we got settled......

So Billie, Dougie, and I would get parked and take a quick walk back over to the clubhouse where they both got hugged on and petted for a bit.....Dougie even got puppy treats......needless to say.....Billie and Dougie enjoyed our stay here at river view probably more than I

We spent a very nice evening on the banks of the Mississippi watching the barges go by and watching bridge activity between Vidalia and Nachez Mississippi......just on the other side....

Sitting on a bench starring across the River at Nachez Mississippi......I'd not yet learned of all the history I was looking into. Nachez is the oldest permanent settlement on the Mississippi....And who would'nt want to explore a place that holds an annual MudBug Festival.,,,,like I said ...... we'll get back here.

Before bed I packed a go bag…laptop, phone, keys and a change of clothes in the backpack by the door. Billie slept in his harness and Dougie his collar…and both leashes on top of the backpack. Certainly hoped we would not have to make that dash to the clubhouse…but if we did…we'd be ready.....

Things remained rather uneventful until around midnight when the Thunderstorms and heavy rains woke us up. Poor Dougie…never a fan of the boom booms…had crawled into bed with me and could not get close enough to make the noise go away. An occasional wind gust would give Vacilando a jolt and power went out around 2am. By 3am power was back on and things had appeared to calm down for good. Meanwhile…Billie never left his post on the dash studying the sky that kept lighting up and watching the heavy rains run down the windshield.

Watching the news in the morning…we definitely made the right choice. That storm that had started in Texas.....had now blown across areas like.....Oklahoma.... Arkansas and even parts of Louisiana folks got beat up pretty bad. Several tornado’s touched down throughout the area wreaking havoc for many and sadly... killing 30. 24 hours later there were still over a quarter of a million folks with no power. Thankfully I will remember the two nights I spent on the banks of the Mississippi river.....a bit of a stormy night....but for the most part....we got off easy....

And what about this place called Vidalea? A town of 4000 Louisianans ....... nestled along the banks of the mighty Mississippi.

For centuries......an area of the country the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians would call home. A land that was lush with forests and rivers.....an ideal place to hunt....to fish.....to raise crops.....and to live.

France would claim the massive territory first....but had little presence in this area.....it would be Spain that would colonize the area in the late 1700's.....but Spanish presence in the area would be short lived. During their brief presence in the area they would contribute civic buildings and the first school to the region before ceding the territory to Napolean....and France. Soon after the area would become part of the United States as a result of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

During this period the area would be referred to as Saint-Louis de Natchez.....in recognition of the King of France.....the term Natchez was added to recognize the Choctaw people in the area......and as used by the Choctaw means Place of the Panther.....what Panther had to do with anything was a bit of a mystery to me but it turns out that the Natchez people often incorporated animals into their culture and naming practices. The name "Natchez" reflects the reverence for the panther within the tribe's traditions. The choice of "panther" likely symbolizes strength, agility, and resilience—qualities that the Natchez people admired and identified with in their environment. The Natchez people were another tribe in the area but often times referred to as Choctaw.....I've I'm understanding correctly the two tribes shared the area and worked together to prosper....leading to references that apply to both.

The city was renamed Vidalia in 1811 in honor of its Spanish founder Don José Vidal.

Through it all....Vidalia grew steadily, with its population reaching 449 by 1880. The city became a hub for trade and commerce due to its strategic location on the Mississippi River. The area would also thrive in the agricultural department thanks to the fertile soil and moderate climate. The next surge in growth and economy for the area would come....as it did in many parts of the country....during WW2 when businesses supporting the war effort would find their way to Vidalia...as well as Natchez across the river.

And yep.....I'd done it again.....one more click and I found myself learning of The Great Sandbar Duel, a legendary one-on-one duel involving a guy named Jim Bowie that turned into a violent brawl. This event is still legend in the region. Well....I had to know more about that....and as usual....there are many others that can tell of the legend....way better than I....Here's how the folks over on the YouTube Channel PhatRiver tell the tale.....

Insert video

And just like that.....in six minutes I'd learned of the History....and how tradition of dueling came to be....all those years ago in Europe.....how the ritual came to America.....and was later outlawed. And how one man would cast aside the tradition of fancy revolvers and fight his battles with nothing but a trusty knife.....and how that one man would become legend across the American Southwest......and lives on today ....... each and every time a hunter....or enthusiasts picks up a Bowie knife.

I'd also learn that the entire town of Vidalia would be ...... picked up and moved....relocated....in 1938. Seems navigation and flooding issues had plagued the town so it was decided that the town would move one mile inland. Over 100 buildings were either relocated....or rebuilt in the towns new location. Good things I guess....it was that move that likely made room for the RV park.....and the bench I'm sitting on here today...82 years later.

And.... Vidalia is home to Louisiana's first hydroelectric power plant, the Sidney A. Murray, Jr. Hydroelectric Station, which began operation in 1990. A fascinating engineering marvel. A floating power station that was manufactured in New Orleans....and then maneuvered up the Mississippi using tug boats to its permanent location here in Vidalia....a trek that would take 4 days. The power station was even struck by a tornado during it's journey through Baton Rouge....but managed to come through the encounter with one of natures deadliest forces unharmed. Once set in it's permanent site here in Vidalia....over 250 ,000 (confirm this again) tons of concrete would be poured in...and around the unit to ensure it stayed put. Turbines and generators would be installed onsite. The eight generator units installed were manufactured in Sweden....and are each 28 feet across in Diameter....the largest such units ever built! Over 40 miles of transmission line would need to be installed to connect the massive energy producing unit the power grids. Today....the station remains the largest prefabricated power generating plant in the world. A 2 year project that started with an idea.....today taps into the sheer force of one of the worlds mightiest rivers and supplies clean, and renewable energy to not only Vidalia....but tens of thousands more across Louisiana. It stands today as the single largest project of it's kind in the world.....and the largest hydroelectric power undertaking in the United States since the Hydro-Electric Damn projects of the 30's and 40's. My favorite part of this story is that some 15 years prior to the projects start....Sydney Murry.....the then mayor of Vidalia Louisiana visited the Army Corp of Engineers office in New Orleans and proposed his idea.....a prefabricated hydro-electric plant...a plant that would be built nearly 200 miles away from Vidalia then floated up river......a plant that would be later fitted with engineering marvels from around the world....and a plant that would go on to supply power to 10's of thousands of Louisianans for generations to come.....A plan that was met with critisism and resistance.....but 13 years later as he sat at the dedication of the plant....witnessing it's completion and looking to it's promise.....Everyone agreed that the world could use a few more visionaries like Sidney....Sidney's idea would grow to include over 100,000 humans....in over 20 different countries and 24 states.......Here's what Sidney had to say upon seeing his vision come to life.....

Insert video clip of Sidney....

And that Mississippi River.....another perfect example of....ya think ya know....but do ya really? I mean.....I knew it's big.....but how big.....Wasn't until here in Louisiana that I would learn the full scope....the power....the historical significance....and the nations reliance on it from the very beginning.....and right up through today.

The rivers name comes from the Ojibwe word "Misi-ziibi," which means "Great River". The French adapted this name, and it eventually became the name we use today....sounds like our old friend "phonetic simplification" was at play once again here...... The river is also affectionately known as the "Father of Waters" due to its immense size and the vital role it plays in the region.

A river that forms it's head waters at Lake Itasca .....all the way up in Minnesota.... a small glacial lake, covering only about 1.8 square miles, but it marks the humble beginnings of one of the world's greatest river systems. From this lake, the water flows northward for a short distance before curving to the east and south, eventually making its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico.

Along the way....The Mississippi will flow some 2400 miles making it the second-longest river in North America. ....second only to the Missouri River......which is actually a tributary of the Mississippi ..... and when the two combine....they form the fourth longest river system in the world.

And as we had just learned back in Sulpher....the River has the fourth largest watershed in the world......eventually flowing through the Atchafalaya River basin before evacuating into the gulf of Mexico. A catchment area that spans over 1.3 million square miles and covers a full one third of the US land area. Tributaries of the river cover most all of the northeastern regions of the US via the Ohio River Valley....and reach as far north....and west as Montana and even Canada......

A fascinating history comes along with the river....and mans interaction with....and reliance on it. It might deserve an episode of it's own one day.....but for now.....I still wanted to dig into a bit more of the cultures I've learned of here.....and how they've all left their mark on Louisiana.

The dozens....if not more..... native American tribes in the region....The influence of both French and Spanish settlement the territory....and ultimately the Americans.....but through all this....one group would stand out to me.....

The Acadians.....also known ...... as the Cajuns. A group of French Settlers that would find their way to the northeast regions of Canada in the early 1600's. They would settle in....and exist in peace with the natives of the region....for over 150 years....literally generations....they would prosper throughout the region....even building wealth....and doing so in harmony with all those around them. They believed....and lived their lives by example......that prosperity was in coexisting with their fellow man...regardless of culture. They believed in free trade...amongst all.... they inter-married and had even woven their religious beliefs....their language....and their culture with those of their native neighbors...and other European cultures that had settled in the region. .....to be one big prosperous.....and peaceful community.

Even their name....Akadian....a name these people adopted and proudly called themselves....is a term believed to have originated from the Mi'kmaq word "akadie," which means "place of abundance" or "fertile land"....and the Mikmaq...were indigenous peoples that called the region home for centuries before the arrival of the French settlers.

But then.....man did...what man does.....

The story of the Acadian people is many things.....and like so often.....I could find myself dedicating an entire episode to these people....their story....and their contribution to the culture of Louisiana......and how did they end up in Louisiana? As I said.....there came a point in time when man did......what man does......and perhaps in the case of the Acadians....maybe even take things one step further.....I'll let the folks over on the YouTube Channel Louisiana Dread give us a summary ........of the Acadian Story...

Insert Video....

The first recorded ethnic cleansing of people.....in North America. I had to let that sink in for a moment. I mean.....it wasn't called "ethnic cleansing" at the time.....but it was a practice man has engaged in since nearly the beginning of time.

First....the definition of ethnic cleansing...

"the systematic and deliberate removal of an ethnic or religious group from a specific territory by a more powerful ethnic group, often through violent and coercive means. The goal is to create a region that is ethnically homogeneous by eliminating the presence of the targeted group. This can involve forced displacement, mass killings, destruction of property, and other forms of persecution. it's a deeply troubling and serious violation of human rights, often associated with war crimes and crimes against humanity." close quote.

The Acadians.....a group of French settlers that had lived prosperously...and in harmony....for over 150 in North America....only to become the first example of ethnic cleansing on the North American continent. And sadly.....they would not be the last. If a silver lining can be found in any of this.....it ......for me anyways.....would be that thousands of these incredibly resiliant people would find their way to a place called Louisiana.....learn to rebuild their lives in a region that couldn't be more different than the the homeland that they had just been kicked out of....and 256 years later they have once again proven....that if you treat humans like humans....even those that differ in your beliefs......that a culture and a society can not only survive....but can prosper.....become......and remain....an integral part of any community.

And then....you can't dig very far into the cultural melting pot known as Louisiana...without learning of the Creole. Creole...unlike that of the Cajuns....is less about a specific people.....or nationality......and more about a culture. In true Louisiana fashion. The blending of cultures.....

The term "Creole" comes from the Portuguese word "crioulo," which was used in the 16th and 17th centuries to describe people of mixed European and African descent born in the colonies. The word itself is derived from the Latin term "creare," meaning "to create" or "to be born in a place".

Creole culture includes people of mixed French, Spanish, African, and Native American ancestry. It’s literally a melting pot of ethnic groups.....and Historically, Creole people spoke Louisiana Creole French, a language that blends French with African and Spanish influences. It's also the culture that brought us cuisines like no other.....the culture that would introduce America....and the world to gumbo, jambalaya, beignets and crawfish étouffée.....ahh those mudbugs.....these are more than just meals—they are a celebration of the land and the people who call it home. Each bite tells a story of resilience, creativity, and an unwavering zest for life.. Their influence wouldn't stop at lifestyle and food.....their impact on American music would introduce the world to zydeco.....and leave a huge fingerprint on the American interpretation of Jazz.

So much.....so much.....Loisiana....to absorb.....but ...... there was one last thing.....kinda....eating away at me. In all my digging.....reading....watching.....and learning about Louisiana.....I referenced earlier that I had also learned that while visiting Louisiana....we were visiting a state that pretty consistently ranks....amongst the worst.....in the nation....when it comes to income and poverty levels.....literacy and high school drop out rates.......infant mortality......and even crime rates. All in a place so rich....so rich in culture......so rich in natural beauty.......and rich in natural resources. I came across a video.....The YouTube Channel "Together Louisiana" published a video 2 years ago titled..."Why Louisiana Stays Poor" I'd encourage.....and hope even that anyone out there interested in Corporate greed.....Corporate welfare.....or how badly a practice can go.... when we stop paying attention....when we as Americans stop paying attention and hand decision making over to a few......when the decisions they make affect so many. Louisiana......it turns out....is a classic case study in just how badly things can go for the majority.....while a few corporate interests pocket millions in profit.....pay a few CEO's millions.......for delivering wealth to shareholders......while the communities in which they generate that wealth suffer decline. I'll put a link in the show notes for anyone out there interested in the full detail

$ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RWTic9btP38&t=44s$

Here are my takeaways.....

Louisiana is one of the richest states in the nation. A case study of a single zip code in Louisiana in 2018 revealed the following......

it's home to over 177 separate industries

it generates over 5.3 billion dollars in economic activity each year....thats higher than the GDP of 40 countries on the planet today.

It generates nearly 4 billion dollars in profits each and every year

This same zip code accounts for 12 billion dollars each year in exports......all in a single zip code....the very samd zip code in which...nearly 40 percent of all residents live below the national poverty level.....

That very same zip code holds the highest unemployment rate in the state

The highest crime rate

The second highest incarceration rate in the state

and the lowest life expectancy in the state.

This is all happening in one zip code in Louisiana...simultaneously...and Louisiana has 537 zip codes.

All the while.....Louisiana is second in the nation in crude oil refining.....this state is literally responsible for a quarter of the gas pumped in this country each and every day. Whether you live in Montana.....Georgia......Oregon or New Mexico....there's a one in 4 shot that the gas your pumping into your car this week came through....maybe even from..... Louisiana.

Louisiana ranks number four in the nation in natural gas production......I thought back to learning of natural gas consumption in the US way back when we were in Wyoming....and how over 300 million homes in America consume natural gas on a daily basis.....and yet again...if you live in one of those households...theres a good chance that each time you crank up the heat or fire up the stove....you can thank Louisiana

The state ranks number 3 in the nation in chemical production.

Louisiana is even a top ten oil producing state.

But probably most significant in all of this.....is that Louisiana forms the "heart of the nations pipeline system".....there are over 112,000 miles of pipeline throughout Louisianna that move natural gas....and other fuels.....throught the country on a daily basis......the system is so central to the nations need that the global price for natural gas is set each day in Erath Louisiana.

The state of Louisiana is actually the silicon valley of Petrochemicals.......and yet.....one of the poorest states in the nation..

How does this happen? There's a lot to learn here...and a lot to learn from. I feel like.....it all starts with just knowing about it.......if your going to change it. Improve it....fix it. And I'm glad.....that folks like "Together Louisiana" are aware of it.....Thier video has been viewed nearly 2 million times.....so others are aware of it too....just like me!

Initially, we'd planned just an over night stop in Vidalia.....ride out the storm.....but during that storm....I had awoken with a fever....was all sweaty....the storm passed but the following day I still felt pretty horrible. It was strange....I couldn't imagine what had happened...went to bed feeling fine...but then hot...sweaty....dizzy.....coughing.....the works....pretty clear I'd caught some sorta bug.....but no idea where. Spent most of the next day trying to get through walks with Dougie and sleeping off whatever it was that I had caught. Luckily......by day two .....feeling better.....eating more.....and walks with Dougie were enjoyable again. Took a day or two more to fully pass.....but we were road ready again at least....

And I wanted to push east.....Still had our sights set on the south east corner of Georgia....weather doesn't seem to turn on folks as quickly over there.

We headed out around mid morning.....with the same plan we usually have....just drive. We'll stop.....park....and rest wherever we are when we feel like we need it....

And wherever that is......I wonder what we'll learn there?