Today we went to the swampland at the Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve. Jean Lafitte was a convicted privateer, who won his freedom by helping Andrew Jackson defeat the British in the Battle of New Orleans with his fellow buccaneers. The Barataria Preserve, named after Lafitte's band of men is over 2000 acres of wetland, swamps marshes, etc. Swamp tours by boat are available there. But there are also eight miles of boardwalk which wind through the area. Some of the trails are closed due to the hurricanes and storms which came through the area. The high water and winds tore up parts of the boardwalk. Hurricane Katrina did major damage to the Historical Park. Do not be surprised when you go there.

We saw a small gator , two egrets, many squirrels, and a rare sighting of a swamp deer. It is quite eerie in parts where the Spanish moss hangs from the bald cypresses. The cypresses have knees (they resemble stalagmites or the eyes and nose of a alligator), which rise out of the swamp. The Spanish moss is a cousin of the pineapple. It looks like angel hair or tinsel hanging from the tree. The moss is not a parasite, but an air plant or bromeliad. It just hangs from the tree for a home. Spanish moss is also the reason for the first automobile recall. Henry Ford insisted that his parts come in wooden crates protected by Spanish moss. He used the crates for the floorboards and the moss for stuffing the cushions. He received many complaints from owner about critters coming out of the cushions. Little did he know that you have to boil the moss before using it. Being the generous man that he was, he told the complainers to fix it themselves.

John Pelley is a Geriatric Gypsy. He is retired from the rat race of working. He is a full-time RVer, who ran away from home. He began our travels on the East Coast and, like the migrating birds, seek the warmth of the seasons He has discovered volunteering with the National Park System. He has a CD he has recorded of Native American flute music., A Day with Kokopelli. For pictures, links, and more information visit www.jmpelley.org.

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