Carillon Bell Towers - Morgan City, La

In case you are wondering where I have been, I have been sick.  I am allergic to south Louisiana.  We have known that for years, but this just reminded us how sick I get when I am here.  It started with hayfever (or allergies), not sure which.  Then it fell into my chest which caused my asthma to kick.  I don't feel nearly as bad as I sound, but when I exert any effort whatsoever, I cough like a fool.  Coughing is supposed to be good for you - you know, getting the junk out of your chest?  But I don't think it means you are supposed to turn blue, so I have been resting, taking the meds the Dr has given me and sleeping because I took them.  Sinus meds and decongestants knock me unconscious and I hate it.  Sorry if you missed me, but I think I am back!

I got a chance to take a friend to the Carillon Bell Tower  (pronounced 'carol-on' we were instructed - and when you look at the spelling, they may very well be right though the lady that told us this was not convinced!).

Listen to the bells ringing:

Isn't it relaxing?  If you listen carefully, you can hear the birds in the background too.

The bell tower is a place we love to go to just as a quiet getaway.  You can walk through a swampy area and listen to nature - and watch for snakes....

We have seen snakes, but they just slither off when they hear you coming and don't bother you.  Since I am one that would rather snakes than rats/mice, they are a-ok with me as long as they DO slither away.

There is a path to the tower of bells...

And lots of natural stuff to look at:

The closer you get to the end of the path, you get to see more Cypress Knees swamp and finally the Lake Palourde : 

As you are walking out, you notice a statue of Dr Brownell, whose descendants donated this park in his honor:

Hmm, with that link, I think I might have found another site like geocaching!  I am going to have to check into that further!  Oh well, I cannot seem to find out a better linky for you.  Sorry...

As a bird watcher I have had some trying times... I have forgotten what kind of birds are what!  Can you believe it?  I surely can't.  We saw this one on our drive:

At first I thought it was a young eagle... DUH!  It had a white body, so I was questioning that.  Thankfully we saw some bird watchers and they immediately told me it was an osprey.  I really felt silly then, cause I should have known that.  However, I was glad to have had the opportunity to see one at all.

We have seen lots of bald eagles here.  There is a family living near our campground and we see them nearly every day.  I got a picture, albeit not a great one, but here ya go:

I saw this one while the eagles were flying... I know what it is, but I am going to let my grandkids figure it out and tell us.  Kids?

And finally, what is Louisiana without a gator?  They are starting to come out, but it is the yearlings we are seeing - not the big ones yet.  I guess the big ones know when it is safe.  Anyway, we say a few, and I got a picture to show you:
 

See him sunning on the log in the water?  

We are heading out of Louisiana tomorrow to go to Mississippi.  I am on the healing road and should be able to start posting again regularly.  Can't wait to see what is in store for us.  This job we have waited on for months is finally starting.  Steve's installation will be the final steps in tying up his job with Singapore.  Once he finishes it (3-4 weeks) we will come back here for a week or two so he can redirect all the pieces, parts and paperwork to where they need to go - then we are off to Oklahoma.  

We both wonder if we are doing the right thing - leaving the girls will be so hard.  Leaving friends will be difficult, too.  Food, sights and sounds?  Sure, we are going to miss them all, but in our hearts, we know we want to try it back in Oklahoma where we were raised, and we also want to be near Steve's mom.  So while we are excited about our transfer, we are also apprehensive.  You know, though, we will get through it - God has given His blessing so it will be ok.

Stay tuned!