There is a famous quote that says, “You learn more from failure than from success. Don’t let it stop you. Failure builds character.” Boy does this ring true for us! In this day and age of polished Instagram photos and amazing stories on blogs and other platforms, we often only see the positive side to a story. But there are many benefits of failure. In fact, when chasing the numerous items on our bucket list we have found that failure is good. That is because in all the stupid mistakes we have made chasing various bucket list items something remarkable happened. We Learned! 

So grab your first aid kit & get ready to laugh as we share how failure leads to success by highlighting the many bloopers we have had chasing items on our bucket list. Hopefully, by admitting our faults, mistakes, and failures you too will learn so you can avoid these pitfalls as well.

Our Travel Failures that led to Success

When it comes to tackling travel bucket list items, preparation is always key! But everyone prepares differently. For example, we are more outliners. We like to have a good idea of where we are going and what we like to do but we don’t detail every aspect of our travel. Don’t get us wrong, we love the freedom of not being scheduled. But by being a bit loosey-goosey it has created a few problems while traveling. However, each time our failure led to success because we learned and improved. So what kind of travel fails have we had? Let’s dive into it.

Grab your first aid kit & get ready to laugh as we share how failure leads to success by highlighting the many bloopers we have had chasing the items on the Bucket List Project! #Failure #NeverGiveUp #AlwaysLearning
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1) We have chosen some lousy destinations

The Fail:

For those of you who know us, you know we love exploring great literary spots around the world. So we were very excited to see and hang out at The Petit Poucet in Casablanca. For those who don’t know this cafe was once where Saint-Exupéry, the French author of The Little Prince used to spend time between mail flights across the Sahara drinking with Albert Camus. But now no one there seems to care or honor that history.

We were also pretty disappointed when we visited Barranquilla! Don’t get us wrong, if you show up to this large city during Carnival you will witness one of Colombia’s most important folkloric celebrations, and one of the biggest carnivals in the world according to UNESCO. But when we arrived there was NOTHING happening in the massive city. Even our hotel hosts wondered why on earth we were visiting their city in April.

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

While these destinations were a complete disappointment they didn’t take away from our travel experiences. I mean to be fair, nothing could disappoint us about Casablanca since that is where we got engaged. But, when the main reason for visiting is a bust, you can either rue in disappointment or adapt. So for us, we learned to adapt and find something else to do which led to some fun experiences.

2) We have not packed well

The Fail: 

Nowadays we try to be minimalists when packing but it was not always this way. If you have read our review on the one bag travel system by Journey System then you saw us toting around a gigantic suitcase across all of the United Kingdom. See we thought that if we packed all of our gear together in 1 large suitcase it would not only be easier but save us tons of money on bag fees. But though it may have saved us a few dollars it was an absolute nightmare to drag around the old cobblestone roads of Scotland and England.

We have also failed to pack properly for the weather. For example, driving into Jaisalmer during the Rickshaw Run, we were freezing. This is because we had forgotten to pack warm clothes. So as we raced to the finish line, we were wearing everything we had packed, just to stay warm.

How this Failure Leads to Success: 

After nearly throwing out my back carrying around tons of clothes, we knew something had to change. We realized that though we want to be prepared for different weather issues and certain events, we need to learn to pack better so we can be prepared without extra items. So first we learned about ways to pack for the different environments we were possibly visiting. Then, we discovered the Journey System minimalist backpack and other bags which would allow us to carry all of our gear better and more efficiently.

3) ERIC often forgets to put on Sunscreen

The Fail: 

Perhaps one of the biggest travel fails that I have is getting sunburned while traveling. Likely, this is because growing up, I rarely got sunburned and never developed a good habit of lathering up. There is also something to be said about always backpacking outdoors, hiking in open areas with no real protection. But to be honest, there is no excuse for not taking better care of my skin. 

How this Failure Leads to Success: 

Now, I like my tan complexion. But to be honest, as I am getting older, this constant abuse of my skin and especially my face is worrisome. Plus, we all know that sunburns can lead to serious issues. In fact, according to the National Cancer Institute, 33,000 adults get sunburned every year so bad that they require emergency room visits. Plus, these burns can lead to future skin cancer or worse, melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. So, to prevent future damage, I have become an avid user of Banana Boat Ultra Sport Sunscreen Travel Pack.

4) We have not planned well for ground transportation

The Fail: 

Perhaps one of the biggest travel fails we have is forgetting to plan out our ground transportation. I know this sounds silly. But more often than not, we have arrived at our destination airport with no clue how to get to our hotel. If you can imagine, we are sitting by the luggage carousel when suddenly we realize we have no idea if this city has Uber, a Metro, or a bus system.

This lack of planning also rears its ugly head when we go adventuring. For example, there have been several times when we spent the day at the beaches near Santa Marta or ended up exploring The Great Buddha sitting atop Nakkerd Hill in Phuket and realized we had no clue how to get back to our home base. In most cases, it was a bit nerve-racking.

How this Failure Leads to Success: 

We have made this mistake so often now, you might think that I love to fail. But, with each situation, we have followed a few simple steps to find success. First, we relax. There is no reason to panic or stress out because that just makes the situation worse. Secondly, we have learned to ask for help. Inevitably, people are good and will help you find a way back home. Now of course you should always be cautious and safe. But, we have learned by asking for help that often there may be options like a metro, taxis, Uber, tuk-tuks, collectivos, or even the occasional farm truck that will be glad to give you a ride to your destination.

Hot Tip: We truly feel that most places in the world are safe. However, as in any place you travel please use common sense and stay to main areas while exploring. We also strongly recommend that you consider getting Travel Insurance from World Nomads. It is a simple and flexible insurance to keep you safe while participating in any wild adventure.

Adventure Experience Failures that led to Success

Perhaps the easiest bucket list category to experience failure is your Adventure Activities & Experiences list. This is because more often than not, many of these items rely on physical ability which we may just not have. Now that doesn’t give you a pass to not give it the old college try. But, you need to be prepared because your goal may require a lot of training, effort, practice, and ultimately a little luck.  So is failure good when you strike out attempting an adventure activity or experience? We think so.

1) Eric can’t seem to Kiteboard

The Fail:

I remember the first time I saw kiteboarders cruising around Fort Walton Beach, Florida. It was back in the late 1990s and an outfit known as XL Kites had a van parked on the bay with a group learning how to float their kites. I was immediately awestruck and knew I had to try it. So, my mom bought me lessons and I learned the basics of launching and body dragging. But when it came to putting the board on my feet and actually surfing, I FAILED. I pretty much dragged around the bay face first, drinking up all the saltwater Florida had to offer. 

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

Of course, the scenario above was my first time so that was okay. I mean sports like that are not easy to learn. But I had to make some hard decisions and clarify my commitment to Kiteboarding. So a few months later, I took my savings and bought a board, a Cabrinha Switchblade kite, and a full rig set up. With my new gear, I would practice in Lake Pontchartrain, & the beaches of Gulfport. Often I would return to the XL Kites gang in Fort Walton and ask for help. To further my skills (or at least try to) I even spent a week in Tobago with the Radical Sports Tobago Kiteboarding School.

Now, I have to be honest, I still can’t stand on the board and kite at the same time. Even the guys at Radical Sports Tobago were a bit confused by my lack of ability. Though they were impressed by how much of the Caribbean Sea I could drink without drowning. But through all of this failure, my dream didn’t fade. Maybe it is because I love watching the graceful soaring of other kiteboarders or maybe it is because I am stubborn. But I know that hopefully with continued practice, I will succeed.

2) We can’t catch the Northern Lights

The Fail:

Have you ever felt like Eeyore with a raincloud overhead? I am not going to lie, I feel like that every time I go hunting the Northern Lights! Not because seeing the Aurora Borealis is depressing in any way. No, the fail comes in that even if the forecast of the location & intensity of the aurora is supposed to be perfect, by the time I get out there, a sudden stream of clouds appears. REALLY. This has happened to me in my attempt to see the Northern Lights in Iceland, Alaska, Northern Wyoming, & other places.

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

In order for this failure to lead to success, I had to first accept that the weather is out of my control. It seems pretty obvious but that doesn’t mean I can’t hedge my bets to find success. So in order to increase my odds of seeing the Northern Lights, I learned to research better by visiting sites like NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center or the Aurora Hunter. So, with a little luck, planning, and a whole lot of patience, we will finally witness the magical display of lights, someday.

3) We have had run-ins with the law

The Fail:

When we sign up for different activities or adventures around the world, in no way do we ever attempt anything illegal. But that doesn’t mean we haven’t had issues with law enforcement or security forces. For example, while taking on the wild adventure of driving a tuk-tuk across India, Darcee actually got us stopped by the Indian Police! At first, we assumed they thought we stole the tuk-tuk or maybe Darcee was speeding (if that is even possible in that glorified lawnmower). But in reality, he just wanted to say hi and see if we had a $1.00 U.S. bill since had never seen one ever.

Now in Liechtenstein, things were a little different. Essentially the Swiss Guard came down on Eric after he accidentally tried to illegally re-enter the Schatzkammer which is the Princes of Liechtenstein’s Private Collection of treasures. 

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

When it comes to your failures, we truly hope that none of them require the assistance of law enforcement. But if they do, we have learned to always approach the situation respectfully and even with some positivity. For example, with all the things to do in Liechtenstein, being surrounded by armed guards shouldn’t be high on anyone’s list. But, accidents happen. So by being calm, respectful, and most importantly, apologetic, all was forgiven within moments.

4) We have bitten off more than we could chew

The Fail:

I vividly remember staring at the distance sign at the start of my pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago from St. Jean Pied de Port in France to Santiago de Compostela, Spain. For those who don’t use the metric system, 790 kilometers is roughly 491 miles. Wait, what? That is like walking from New Orleans to Epcot Center in Orlando, Florida but with mountains in the middle! Plus, I was doing it alone and only had a guidebook and painted arrows on random walls and rocks to guide me. The start of the pilgrimage definitely filled me with a bit of doubt.

Another time I felt a bit overwhelmed is in preparation for our Climbing Devil’s Tower for ALS. I mean what kind of crazy person volunteers to climb 867 feet (265 m) from base to summit, with a summit 5,112 feet above sea level? I know it is for an amazing cause but I am not as young as I used to be.

How this Failure Leads to Success:  

Well with the Camino, I realized that my only way home was from Portugal, so no matter what, I had to head that direction. It was then that I realized that if I started to walk and either struggled, decided I didn’t like it, or flat out failed, that was okay. This is because I knew that I could always stop and catch a train or another way back. Now I know that this type of “safety net” thought seems a bit like a way out. But to be honest, sometimes people just need to know there are alternatives or a plan B to make them feel comfortable. 

Another thing I have learned that has lead to success is how to gather your support team. When you are taking on a bucket list item that seems a bit overwhelming, you have to stop and look for help. Inevitably, there are others walking that same trail or climbing that same mountain that share similar fears, challenges, or concerns. It is in those moments that you can find strength to accomplish your goals by doing it together! In many of our successes, we have made great friends who won with us!

Personal Growth Failures that lead to Success

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author of The Power of Positive Thinking, once shared, “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.” I personally love this quote because sometimes it is often hard to relay the benefits of failure to those who only see one final goal. Don’t get me wrong, when it comes to pursuing your bucket list dreams, we want you to keep your eyes on the big prize. But there are so many great and positive side effects to failure especially with items on your personal growth bucket list. Let’s explore a few of our failures that lead to success.

1) I still can’t see my 6 pack abs

The Fail:

I can still remember the feeling of ripping my “fat boy” pants in the parking lot getting out of my car. See back in 2009, I was FAT! I was always husky but that summer as seen in the pic above on the left, I maxed out my 5’8″ frame to a weight of 245lbs. So, rather than buying new suit pants for my job, the year before I had gone to Walmart and bought a pair of those cheaply made black slacks with the elastic band. I mean I didn’t want to buy new expensive pants when I already had some and I could “easily” lose the weight. But I hadn’t. So one day, as I was getting out of my car to visit a client, my cheap Walmart pants tore at the elastic band because I pushed them to the max. It was too much and at the moment, #5) See my 6 Pack was added to my Personal Growth Bucket List.

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Now I will be honest, I thought I would have had a 6 pack by now. I mean that was 11 years ago. But I barely have some details of a 4 pack at times – usually near the summer months. However, that is okay because even though I have yet to get shredded, I still found great success.

You see, in this pursuit for the ideal physique, I still lost nearly 90lbs and have maintained that 157lb weight for over 10 years. Now, it wasn’t easy and I learned that there isn’t 1 way that works for everyone. In fact, I probably have tried about 5 different eating lifestyles and over 45 different workout plans. But I never lost commitment to my goal and my health.

2) I still can’t fluently speak Spanish

The Fail:

So I don’t have many regrets about the choices I have made. But one of the biggest regrets I do have is not studying Spanish more as a kid. My mom tried to get me to learn and initially spoke to me in Spanish. But as I became a stubborn teen, I gave up on it and even rebelled by taking French in high school. However, in my pursuit to learn more about my Cuban heritage and travel more, I have attempted many of the best ways to learn Spanish. The only problem is that I am still nowhere near being fluent enough to have a conversation with my Grandmother.

How this Failure Leads to Success:

So, yes I am still a very long way from fluent conversational Spanish with my Cuban family. But, in this failure, I have had some success. For example, I have learned enough to easily tackle basic travel situations. I have long term traveled to Spain, Colombia, Peru and even parts of Morocco and successfully navigated situations speaking Spanish. Plus, in attempting various ways to learn Spanish, I also discovered better ways of learning subjects overall. That way when I take on future personal growth items, I can find the right resources to help me learn.

Failures in Louisiana that led to Success

In Louisiana, we like to say “laissez les bon temps rouler” which means “let the good times roll.” But we have missed the pirogue a few times by not paying attention. Now don’t get me wrong, we don’t take things too seriously or often live by a schedule down here in the Bayou State. But our lack of organization has led to a few failures. So grab your Mom ‘n ‘em and check out some of our major faux pas while chasing our Louisiana Bucket List!

1) We missed the fais-do-do

The Fail:

For those of you who don’t know a fais-do-do (pronounced fay DOUGH DOUGH) is basically a fun Cajun dance party. In general the best ones are based around food, music, and dancing and are found in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana. So when looking for the best fais-do-do, the infamous Cafe Des Amis topped the list. We kept saying that we were going to take the drive over for a fun weekend. I mean it was barely 3 hours away. But sadly due to our hemming and hawing, we missed our chance and it closed in early 2018.

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Cafe Des Amis WAS world-famous for their Saturday Morning Zydeco Breakfast. Visitors were greeted with spicy bloody mary’s and rich Cajun cuisine like eggs with crawfish étouffée. However, the real highlight was when the  Zydeco band started to play encouraging everyone to dance! So, when we realized that we missed our chance it was a big disappointment. But that didn’t deter us. Instead, we asked around, did a little research, and discovered there is a new kid in town, Buck and Johnny’s, that is offering zydeco music, dancing, and a world famous Zydeco Breakfast.

2) We’ve been a wee bit too close to some gators

The Fail:

It a very popular bucket list item to take a swamp tour, visit an alligator farm, or see them in the wild at Rip’s Rookery in New Iberia. So of course, there have been several times where I wanted to show my Wyoming girlfriend, now wife, some true Louisiana gators. But one of the first times I did this we kind of got a bit too close. While walking the lap around Rip’s Rookery on Jefferson Island we came upon several gators sunbathing. By that time, we had already walked all the way around the island and we weren’t sure we should go back. Needless to say, we RAN by them as fast as humanly possible!

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Outside of improving my time in the 40-yard dash, getting too close to alligators made me learn better safety protocols. So we turned to the Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries website. According to LDWF, most alligators, if left alone, will move on and are generally not a threat to people. However, they do recommend that if you have a close encounter with an alligator, like we did, back away slowly. 

My Failure to Make Amends that led to Success

Asking for forgiveness is HARD! I have often said that my Making Amends Bucket List is easily the hardest list I have created. Perhaps because means I have to not only reach out to those I have hurt but then admit my faults to them. So how can someone fail when trying to say they are sorry? 

1) I haven’t even tried yet

The Fail:

When it comes to making amends, I am a Failure! Why? Because, even though I think about the various people on the list that I have wronged, I have yet to take action. At one point, I tried to find one of the people on my list. But it was a struggle to connect with them and thus I just stopped trying.

How this Failure Leads to Success:

To be honest, it is hard to find success here. Now let me clarify that success will not be measured by obtaining forgiveness from those whom I hurt. Rather, success comes in admitting my faults to the person whom I hurt. Also, when I share here, it not only humbles me but reminds me that I need to try harder. So hopefully my failure leads to success by recommitting myself to try again. 

My Failure to Help Others that led to Success

They say the road to hell is paved with good intentions. But can you actually be a failure when you help others? Maybe. Now don’t get me wrong there is no better way to leave your mark on the world than by finding ways to help others. Plus, there are even studies that helping others can even help you live longer. However, sometimes you might do a bit more harm than good if you don’t plan properly or try to cut corners. 

1) Our Little Library made us ashamed of our-SHELVES

The Fail:

I am not a good carpenter! Not that it is beyond my skill set but I neither have the tools nor the patience to build something with my hands. But that didn’t stop me from wanting to build a Little Library to put out in front of my house. Of course in typical fashion, I had dreams of grandeur of the coolest looking little library packed with books where people would stop by to pick up or share. But rather than buying an official kit from the Little Free Library association, I came up with a “genius” idea to use an old wine crate! Of course, I had great intentions and it all started out great. But having it in New Orleans where it rains all the time or is humid most other days, it all became a big problem. Instead of helping my community with a fun book exchange, my cutting corners lead to a moldy science experiment!  

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Unless the goal was to spread black mold or test the relative breakdown rates of paperback novels, then it is pretty obvious that my little library was a bust. But throughout the whole process, I learned a lot about how to do it better the next time. I realized that if I wanted to create a unique little library for my Irish Channel neighborhood, then I need to figure out how to deal with environmental factors. It also reminded me that there are no short cuts when trying to do something right! Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t do it differently or better, but you have to do it right. Otherwise, you might be sending someone home with a book that even Dr. Who can’t fix.

2) I took my best friend on a Death March

The Fail:

One of my favorite Helping Others Bucket List items is by far #103) Fulfill 1 Bucket List Item for Anyone who helps me with 1 of mine! It is such an amazing feeling when someone gets to tick off a dream item because of your efforts. So, when my best friend Brian shared that he always dreamed of summitting Mt. Whitney and then backpacking the Pacific Crest Trail, I jumped at the chance to make his dream come true. But there was one problem, Brian was a beginner backpacker and not 100% ready for the physical demands of the trail. Don’t get me wrong, he trained. But with all my personal hiking experience I should have directed him better when we planned out our trek. Instead of starting at a pace of 8-10 miles each day, and then slowly working upwards, we planned most days at 15 or more. This wouldn’t have been too bad except that we had to cross over a million peaks of the Sierra Nevada from the Whitney Portal. 

How this Failure Leads to Success:

Luckily we took care of summitting Mount Whitney by day 2. So at least we were able to succeed at standing at the highest point above sea level in the lower 48 states. But by day 5, Brian was done and I was pretty beat up as well. It was a pretty humbling as we sat at the Twin Lakes about 23 miles from Lone Pine. But in that moment of humility, we learned that when life throws us obstacles we can easily change course. Even though we hadn’t made it to Mammoth Lakes we could still enjoy the moment. Instead, we relaxed, met some friends who let us fly fish with them, and recovered in some of the most beautiful parts of California. 

My Failure to keep this post short leads to Success

If you made it this far, congrats! You survived another session with little Eric-Talks-A-Lot! But hopefully, you had a great laugh as we shared our different types of failure. I am sure by reading all the bloopers we have had chasing the many items on the Bucket List Project, you realize that we obviously Love to Fail! But, also, I hope you learned that there are many benefits to failure and that it isn’t always a bad thing.

So now it is your turn! Do you think failure leads to success? Have you ever botched something so bad but still found success? What are some of the best bucket list fails you have ever seen or experienced? Share with us in the comments below and maybe help someone who may be dealing with a similar failure.

Don’t forget to Pin this to your favorite Personal Growth Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, the “How My Failure Leads to Success” contains a few affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

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At the end of each December, I often sit down with my Bucket List notebook and ponder what I want to accomplish and where I want to go for the coming year. For me, I find that writing out a time line not only helps me plan what I want to do but gets me excited about what the coming year has to offer. If you would like to see what we did in 2017, check our 2017 Completed Items.

So how do I choose what do do?

When it comes to inspiration for adding items to my bucket list, there is no doubt that movies inspire me. I love watching movies! They allow me to enter new worlds, explore amazing adventures, and learn about different cultures from around the world. So for my 2018 Bucket List Hopes and Goals, the Bucket List Project is going to the movies, so to speak.

Below I have listed what my 2018 Bucket List Hopes and Goals are and for fun I have added some fun movies we found on Fandango that have helped inspire me. Feel free to click on the movies below and see why these movies may have inspired me!

In 2018, the Bucket List Project's Hopes & Goals are being inspired by Movies. Have you seen this list yet? #bucketlist #2018bucketlist #InspiringMovies
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January

The Brothers Grimm

• #210) Read Books of Fables:
  • #6) Grimms’ Fairy Tales

February

Ratatouille

• #129) Learn How to Make “GrandMom’s Pizza Pie”

March

Rocky IV

• #5) See my 6 Pack Abs

April

Romancing the Stone

• #150) Bath in Volcan del Totumo near Cartagena, Colombia
• #200) Know my home State of Louisiana:
  • #i) Friday “Business” Lunch at Galatoire’s

May

Secretariat

• #78) Go to the Kentucky Derby
• #200) Know my home State of Louisiana:
  • q) Climb Mt Driskill
  •  r) Explore the history of Bonnie & Clyde in Gibsland

June

Gulliver’s Travels

• #203) Read Classic Adventure Books:
  • #4) Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift

July

A Walk In The Woods

• #103) Fullfill 1 Bucket List Item for Anyone who helps me with 1 of mine!
  • Backpack the Pacific Crest Trail & Scale Mt. Whitney in California with Brian Simpson

August

Casablanca

• #156) Travel to Chefchaoueh (the Blue City) of Morocco
• #158) Visit my 5th of the 7 Continents (Africa)
• #155) Ride a Camel in the Sahara Desert

September

• #114) Watch a Movie at a Real Drive In Movie Theater in a Car

October

The Book of Life

• #200) Know my home State of Louisiana:
  •  f) Eat a Zwolle Tamale
• #167) Celebrate Dia De Muertos in Mexico

November

Against All Odds

• #179) Swim in the Cenote at Ik Kil, Yucatan, Mexico
• #180) See the Mayan Temples of Chichen Itza, Yucatan, Mexico
• #130) Eat weird things:
  • #9) Eat Escamoles (aka: ant larvae) in Mexico

December

Steel Magnolias

• #200) Know my home State of Louisiana:
  • k) Return to and eat Meat Pies at Lasyone’s in Natchitoches

The Bucket List Project has created their 2018 hopes and goals that have been all been inspired by movies! #Bucketlist #2018bucketlist #inspiringmovies
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Whenever Possible this Year

• #200) Continue to Explore my home state of Louisiana
• #37) Be in a Movie: Be seen
• #38) Be in TV Show Episode
• #39) Be in a National Commercial
• Try to Make Amends with 1 Person on my List

So what do you think about The Bucket List Project’s 2018 Bucket List hopes and Goals?  Is there anything on the calendar you think is missing that I need to put on there this year? Have you see any of these movies? Which movies inspired you to chase a bucket list dream? Please let me know in the comments below!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post contain affiliate links for fun movies we watch on Fandango. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep The Bucket List Project Blog free, fun, and community supported! I will never recommend a product I don’t genuinely believe in and trust.

The post 2018 BUCKET LIST HOPES AND GOALS appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

It may not be festival season just yet, but it’s still worth thinking about all the things you need ready for when the next season rolls around. Before you know it, it will be here! So, it’s a good idea to spend the next few months taking your time to ensure that you have everything you need ready for your next big music festival. Here’s a checklist to help you get organized.

The Ultimate Festival Checklist has everything you need to get ready for your next big music festival! #MusicFestival #FestivalChecklist #MusicFestivals
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Tickets

First things first – you need your festival tickets. Otherwise, there is no way you are getting into all the concerts and parties! Even though you might think that festival season is a long way off, you will need to get your tickets now before they sell out. Most festivals will be on sale now and will usually sell out a couple of months before the big day, so get yourself sorted with your tickets as soon as possible!

A Tent

Part of the fun of a festival is the camping. You’ll be able to get appropriate tents and camp gear from your local camping shop, but there are also plenty of websites that sell these things as well. Make sure you get a waterproof tent, as you don’t want to wake up in a puddle of water! You should also ensure that the one you buy is big enough for whole group. Otherwise, things could get quite cramped during the night!

Camping Equipment

As well as a tent, you will need plenty of camping gear. This includes things like a camping stove, sleeping bags, and flashlights. Of course, the more camping gear you get, the more comfortable your time at the festival will be. But that could work out quite expensive, though…

Appropriate Clothing

You can never really tell what the weather is going to be like over a festival weekend. Even if you see a forecast before you leave, there is a chance that it might not ring true. And, as you won’t be able to get a hotel room if it does turn out to rain, you need to be very prepared to camp in whatever weather the weekend brings. So always make sure you pack some appropriate clothing. That means, pack plenty of waterproofs even if there is good weather forecast – you can never know what the weather is going to get up to!

Stick to the Ultimate Festival Checklist & you’ll have a smashing time at your next festival! #FestivalChecklist #MusicFestival #FestivalGuide
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Tent Finder

If you have been to a festival before, you will know that there are going to be hundreds of tents in the same field. In some cases, there will be thousands. After a day of watching live concerts and enjoying yourself, it could be very difficult finding your way back to your own tent. Especially if you have enjoyed a few beers! So, you might want to invest in a tent finder. You attach the sensor to your tent and then connect it to your phone via Bluetooth. It’s then easy to track your tent on your phone!

Stick to this checklist and you’ll have a smashing time at your next festival!

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People are often asking me how I learn about these crazy adventures, experiences, or places to travel that are on my Bucket List.  Well, the internet of course! I not only scour the internet but I subscribe to numerous travel and adventure blogs out there to learn about the world.  That is how I found out about The Travel Whispers Blogger Challenge!

The Travel Whispers Blogger Challenge is the brain child of  travel blogger, Stephanie Fox.  Aimed at rounding up 2016 and looking towards 2017, she created 10 out of the ordinary travel questions that would not only share your personal insights on traveling but also introduce other travel bloggers to your readers.  At the bottom of this post, I will list several travel bloggers who are participating as well.  So after reading, please check them out too.  You might find some exciting new bloggers to follow and some great travel ideas for the future!  Also, you can find them across Twitter and Instagram by using the hashtag #TravelWhispers.

When The Travel Whispers Blogger Challenge was passed on to me by Sara & Nacho of I Do What I Want To, I was a  bit nervous to say the least since The Bucket List Project is still a newbie in the blogging world.  However, I found the questions a great way to learn & share not only about myself but my hopes for The Bucket List Project.

Reading The Bucket List Project's answers to the Travel Whispers Blogger Challenge #TravelWhispers
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So with bated breath, here are The Bucket List Project’s answers to The Travel Whispers Blogger Challenge:

1. If you had to move to a country that you’ve NEVER been to, and live there for ten years, where would you go?

I think I would want to go to Cuba since it is where my mother and family are from originally.  To live in such an exotic environment that offers an unbelievable culture all while seeing where my family grew up, would be amazing.  Plus, being ideally located in the Gulf of Mexico, it would allow me the ability to travel home to see my family in the US, while also, being able to explore other parts of Central and South America.

2. If you had to live in a hotel for the rest of your life, which hotel would you choose and why?

Not gonna lie, I would take a hostel, airbnb, a guest house, or even a tent over most hotels any day. To me, most hotels are just places to store my stuff while I am out and about exploring. However, if I had to be sentenced to a hotel I think I would either want to live in the Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans or the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego.

3. If you could only eat the cuisine of one nationality forever more, which would you choose?

This question is tough.  If I could only eat the cuisine of one nationality forever, I would have to either say food from Spain or Thailand (minus the Scorpion on a Stick…been there done that).

When it comes to Spain, I think they offer some of the greatest variety as Barcelona has unbelievable seafood with a Mediterranean flair while up North the pork is phenomenal.  With Thailand, I think it offers a great infusion of Asian styles while also finding some modern flavors from around the world in their more metropolitan cities like Bangkok.

4. Who has given you ‘holiday envy’ this year, and how?

Oddly enough there is a couple who I met in Chiang Mai, Thailand during a holiday festival in 2015, called Yi Peng/Loy Krathong. Hands down Chelsea and Mark give me ‘holiday envy’ for all the holidays and festivals they attend.  Though they currently living in Dubai, they travel all over the place.  In 2016, amid all their awesome travels, I most envied their adventure at Oktoberfest in Munich, which now is on my 2017 Bucket List!

5. If you had to look at the same sunrise or the same sunset every day, where in the world would you never get bored of seeing? Please don’t say sitting outside Cafe Mambo in Ibiza.

I don’t think anything has ever beaten the sunset I saw in Oporto, Portugal.  For the rest of my life, I could easily sit amid the tourists, with a cigar and a glass of port wine, just watching the sun set along the Douro River .

6. If you were taking a ‘staycation’ in your hometown, where would it be and what would you recommend others do?

I am from New Orleans, Louisiana where there is a ton to see, experience, and most importantly EAT! First, if possible, stay at the Hotel Monteleone.  Its one of the older hotels in the French Quarter blocks away from all the fun and action.  However, the most important thing to do is to go down to the famous Carousel Bar and ride the Carousel while having a Sazerac, a Vieux Carre, or any cocktail bartender Marvin Allen recommends.

During the day, you need to explore the art galleries on Royal Street, see St. Louis Cathedral, wander around Jackson square, find treasures in the French Market, and stroll the Moon Walk along the mighty Mississippi River.

At night, you need to stroll Bourbon Street (even us locals do it from time to time), walk through Pat O’Briens courtyard, listen to old school jazz at Preservation Hall, or head over to Frenchman Street to hear some modern Jazz and New Orleans Funk Music. Drink Sazeracs, Pimm’s Cups, Daquiris, Hurricanes, any beer from Abita Brewery or explore any of the pre-prohibition cocktails served throughout the city.

To eat, it really doesn’t matter cause it’s all great! Head over to Café du Monde for beignets if you want a light breakfast.  Though you may want Stanley’s for a hearty breakfast by the cathedral.  For lunch grab yourself a poboy or even better, head over to Central Grocery for a muffuletta sandwich, a bottle of Barqs Rootbeer, and a bag of Zaps Crawtators and head up to the river to eat and watch the river boats!  As for dinner Antoine’s is by far the #1 fine dining restaurant in all of New Orleans in my opinion.

7. Describe your perfect travel day of the year?

My summer was packed with unbelievable days on the Camino and in Portugal afterwards.  But if I had to choose a perfect day, it would be with Darcee in Nassau, Bahamas this past March. We had taken a boat out to the coral reefs for snorkeling and then to scratch off Bucket List #202) Ride in a S.U.B. (Scenic Underwater Bubble).  It was amazing.

8. What have you ticked off your bucket list in 2016?

2016 was a very exciting year for The Bucket List Project as we added many items to the 2016 Completed Items list!  However, I would say the highlight was my pilgrimage along the entire Camino de Santiago.  Not only was it amazing to explore all of Northern Spain, but along my “Walk,” I learned a lot about myself and met some amazing friends. You can read Excerpts from My Personal Diary Along the Camino here.

9. What is top of your travel bucket list for 2017?

I tend to be ambitious and perhaps a bit over zealous when it comes to planning out my Bucket List travel plans every year. 2017 is no different.  When I wrote my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals I realized that I had listed 7 countries outside the US & at least 3 different states from Louisiana.  But I guess that is because I am one of those Shoot for Stars kind of guys. With that said I would have to say which of the 10 destinations is top on my list this year it would be a tie between Alberta, Canada and Morocco.

Alberta escaped me last year, but this year it’s a must for me, if not for Banff National Park alone. We have all seen the remarkable photos of Lake Louise in Banff and that marvelous mountain skyline. Well, I want to see that in person.  Plus Canada is celebrating its 150th anniversary of their National Parks. So all entry is free for the entire year of 2017!

As for Morocco, exploring the Blue City of Chefchaouen, checking out the markets of Casablanca, and taking a camel safari into the desert are all hot on my list!

10. Share your favorite Instagram photo of 2016?

So The Bucket List Project only started on Instagram in September of 2016.  But slowly I have been posting up some of my favorite Bucket List Project pictures from the past.  In November 2015, I was fortunate enough to go to Thailand’s Lantern Festivals of Yi Peng & Loy Krathong.  It was probably one of the best experiences of my life.  While we were all lighting and setting sail to our balloons, I was able to catch this mother and daughter sending off their hopes and dreams into the sky!

Now since this is a Whispers challenge, I would first like to thank by Sara & Nacho of IDoWhatIWantTo who inspired me to participate.  You can read their responses by CLICKING HERE!

You can find more travel whispers at the links below:

Stephanie Fox

Josie Wanders

Young and Undecided

My Own True North

If you are a travel blogger and want to take part in the fun, then join the facebook group here.

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The post The Travel Whispers Blogger Challenge appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

It’s that time again, time for reflecting and planning out my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals!

I was home from India for barely a week when I started getting that same damn question, “So what’s next on the Bucket List Project?” It is a question that sometimes bothers me. I appreciate that people are excited for the next adventure (as am I), but sometimes I just want the chance to enjoy the items previously accomplished and tell that story before moving on to the next. Regardless, 2016 was a great year of amazing adventures, new experiences, and wonderful new friends.  See all the Bucket List items I scratched off in 2016 by CLICKING HERE!

So what’s next on the Bucket List Project?

Trying to figure out what I want to do next can be a rather daunting task, especially since I am such a bucket-luster (is that just a dreamer of buckets?) that dreams of big adventures. Being that 2016 was filled with amazing travel and personal experiences, continuing that level of success can add to the difficulty.

But, for the past several weeks, I have been pondering what exactly my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals are going to be.  Some of the items came easy, as they are items I’ve had on my mind, while others popped up for various reasons.  So, with the use of a modern technology (pen & paper) and a time tested strategy (the line graph), I believe I have come up with a great rough draft of my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals.

Now I know that this technology is somewhat foreign to many, therefore I will post below what is written on my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals graph for easier reading.

Reading the 2017 Bucket List Project's Hopes & Goals. Have you seen this list yet? #bucketlist
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Here is my 2017 Bucket List Hopes and Goals:

February

• #129) Learn How to Make “GrandMom’s Pizza Pie”
• #130) Eat weird things:
  • #18) Eat Pop Rocks & Drink a Coke and Not Explode

March

• #17) Travel to The Republic of Ireland
• #143) Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland
• #210) Explore the Giant Causeway & walk across the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge in Northern Ireland

April

• #18) Travel to Scotland
• #130) Eat weird things:
  • #8) Haggis in Scotland
• #16) Travel to England

May

• #5) See my 6 Pack Abs

June

• #188) See the Synchronous Fireflies in Elkmont, Tennessee
• #100) Do 3rd of 4 Urban Adventures in random city in the U.S

July

• #187) Travel to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada
• #108) Do 4+ OutDoor Adventure “Mud Races” (4th & Final is the Spartan near Banff, Alberta, CA)
• #198) Witness Pink in Nature:
  • c) See a Pink Waterfall
• #118) Geocache in the 2nd of 4 Cities (Edmonton or Calgary)

August

• ????

September

• #66) Travel to the Berlin Wall
• #132) Drink Beer at OktoberFest in Germany
• #189) Travel to Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany

October

• #156) Travel to Chefchaoueh (the Blue City) of Morocco
• #158) Visit my 5th of the 7 Continents (Africa)

November

• 197) Go to Notre Dame vs Navy football game in South Bend (11-18-2017)

December

• ???

Whenever Possible this Year

• #200) Continue to Explore my home state of Louisiana
• #203) Continue Reading my 11 Classic Adventure Books
• #37) Be in a Movie: Be seen
• #38) Be in TV Show Episode
• #39) Be in a National Commercial
• Try to Make Amends with 1 Person on my List
• #103) Fullfill 1 Bucket List Item for Anyone who helps me with 1 of mine!

Now this definitely looks like a lot.  Obviously, this is just a rough draft because with life, especially mine, things are always subject to change. But as a list-maker, I feel writing it all out not only allows me to maintain focus but keeps me accountable.

So what do you think about The Bucket List Project’s 2017 Bucket List hopes and Goals?  Is there anything on the calendar you think is missing that I need to put on there this year? Please let me know in the comments below!

Also , what is on your 2017 Bucket List? I would love to hear about your hopes and goals for 2017!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

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My First Year in the Woods – A Bucket List Adventure

There’s a passage from Hemingway that I’ve often told people if offered a choice I would live in for eternity….

“Now that the bad weather had come, we could leave Paris for a while for a place where this rain would be snow coming down through the pines and covering the road and the high hillsides and at an altitude where we would hear it creak as we walked home at night.  Below Les Avants there was a chalet where the pension was wonderful and where we would be together and have our books and at night be warm in bed together with the windows open and the stars bright.  That was where we would go.”

And that was where I had gone.  While not in my beloved France, I had carved my own version of this utopian scene in my own little patch of forest in the woods.

This first winter I had done just that.  Sat in my bed reading with the window slightly cracked, the snow falling softly with that almost silent swish, the fire cracking in the wood burning stove.  The warmth not fully reaching me in the bed but seeing it there created an internal warmth that spread outward and covered me in it’s own glow.

When people speak of bucket lists they are really speaking of dreams.  The dream of going somewhere or doing something that uplifts their spirit, gives their lives hope, fulfills a deepest wish in their soul, makes them leap out into the world, throw themselves in the mix of humanity and experience.  You could say the cabin was my ultimate bucket list check off.
It’s the first anniversary of acquiring my little patch of felicity in the woods.  It’s been a year of wonder, magic, aggravation, solitude, terror, reflection, disruptions, solace, empowerment, but mostly it’s just been absolutely life changing wonderful.

It’s become not just a place I go to but almost a mental retreat available at all times.  If I’m having a soul punishing day I shift my attention from what I’m working on to looking up a cabin project idea and daydreaming about what I’m going to plunge into on the next trip. Cabin as a state of mind?  I certainly think so.
After traveling around the world and methodically checking off one bucket list destination after the next I came to a point where I was not satisfied with just my week or few days in one of the places that I loved.  I yearned to be able root myself to a specific place of meaning.

I normally spend a lot of time researching interesting places to stay.  Whether just an off the grid destination or someplace that had been designed with a bit of magical realism in mind.  Places where they spent that little extra time to add something intangible that you feel as well as see.  I drew inspiration from these places and wanted to carve something like that as my own.

The cabin was years in coming.   It was a spark in the back of my brain after my first visit to Mammoth Lakes when I was 25.  I didn’t ski, I hadn’t spent much time in snow, and even with being raised basically underwater in New Orleans I was a mountain girl in spirit and I knew it.  My heart soared anytime I saw a peak in the distance.  There was a little leap inside of me every time I saw the topography of the land changing to a rising landscape that directed your eyes and your soul UP!

As I look back on the year it’s sometimes amazing to me that there wasn’t always a cabin.  Maybe in my mind it was always there.  The reality of it was just an extension of someplace I was already living in the deep reaches of my soul.
Why the cabin?
Why did I decide to plant my soul in a spot with no running water in the winter, road access only 4 months of the year, horrible resale value, and a water system that defied logic or reason?
When I inherited the cabin there was a book there.  Sitting solemnly in a stack of other old books on the coffee table called “The Man from Mono”.

On one of those nights that writers always love to write about, where the wind and snow was swirling outside and the wood stove stacked with as much wood as I could squeeze into one metal box.  I was buried under four blankets, wearing a pair of ear muffs, and trying to figure out how to line my long johns with long johns when I realized that I had left my book in the car.  Having no desire to test the limits of my wardrobe and sanity by trying to deconstruct my sofa attire and rig myself back up to go out in the blizzard.  Then snowshoe a mile round trip to the car parked at Tamarack Lodge just to retrieve a small paperback.  Tonight’s reading was going to be “The Man from Mono” by default.
What a find.
As I sat there with my frozen fingers and a bottle of wine that was conveniently chilled to the perfect temperature.  (Not by a wine fridge or any special device, but by the sheer chill of the cabin.)  I delved into this story that brought to light just why we do it.  Why we’ve always done it.

The need to not only be in nature but to conquer it lives very deeply in all of our souls.  John Muir, Shackelton, Franklin, Captain Cook, Krakauer, Ansel Adams, Bruce Chatwin.  Contemporaries to our world and the years behind us.
This man from Mono told a story of a very regular life led in very extraordinary circumstances and hardship.  Where this simple man set up trap lines in the winter, tourists wait in long gate lines to get into one of the most famous National Parks in the world.  His world was challenging and difficult.  He lost many friends to the rigors and dangers of that time and lifestyle.  But you could sense that he wouldn’t have chosen any other life.  His existence was connected and fed by the world in which he lived and the people who also chose that same life.

I was no different.  That siren pull of nature was always beating inside me.
Somebody asked me recently what the best part of having the cabin was and I answered because I knew it was always there.  Always within reach.   Always just a drive away….

Love reading the bucket list adventures of being a new forest service cabin owner at Chateau Fosho!
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About Our Guest Poster:

Raised on the outskirts of New Orleans between the bayou and the river, Michelle Faucheux has always been fascinated with history, travel, adventure, and exploration which has taken her as far as Egypt, Africa, and Antarctica. In a “previous life”, she was an avid concert goer, classic movie buff, and even a 3 time Louisiana Beauty Queen as a young adult. When not in her charming atelier apartment in an old New Orleans Victorian home in the Garden District, you can find Michelle living by a Silver Lake in Los Angeles or Twin Lakes in Mammoth Lakes where she is working as a producer for commercials, music videos, and photo shoots.

To share Michelle’s journey & adventures of being a new forest service cabin owner & the trials and tribulations that go with it, visit her “Chateau Fosho” website when you have some time for escaping to cabin living by visiting: https://chateaufosho.com

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

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December is a magical time of year! Many people celebrate the holiday season with traditional customs passed down from generations of their family and community! This is especially true here in Louisiana, as we celebrate the coming of Christmas and the New Year in beautiful and unique ways. 

Perhaps, one of the most unique ways locals in Louisiana show their holiday spirit is through a Christmas tradition known as ‘the Bonfires on the Levee.’ Here they light up massive bonfires along various river levees to light the way for Papa Nöel (Santa Claus) to find all the good boys and girls of the River Parishes.

The History of Bonfires on the Levee

The history behind how the Christmas bonfires began is a bit blurry.  This is due to the fact that the area now known as the River Parishes was settled by both French and Germans. These settlers celebrated the holidays in various traditions. According to research, when they first arrived, the people of the area often only celebrated Christmas as a church obligation. But for them, New Year’s Eve was the time of gift giving and revelry.

This would be seen as families and friends would gather on New Year’s Eve for a feast of gumbo and eggnog. Then they would gather on the levee to watch the burning of a large cone-shaped bonfire. Here, they would say goodbye to the previous year while celebrating the coming of new one. 

Discover why people in Louisiana light bonfires on the Levee during Christmas to celebrate the coming of Papa Noel! @VisitLouisiana #CajunNightBeforeChristmas #JoyeuxNoel #RiverParishes
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A More Modern Take of the Levee Bonfires

As with many traditions, this revelry gradually evolved toward what we now know as a Christmas celebration. The more common modern and most cherished story is that the Christmas Bonfires on the Levee. It is a Cajun tradition developed to celebrate the coming of “Papa Noël,” the Cajun Santa Claus.

It is said that the residents of the River Parishes (St. James, St. John and St. Charles) would light bonfires along the levees of the Mississippi River to light the way for Papa Noël. With his pirogue drawn by alligators named Gaston, Ninette, TiBoy, Celeste, & Suzette, they deliver gifts to all the good boys and girls.  This wonderful story is recounted in the popular children’s book, Cajun Night Before Christmas.

Building of the Bonfires

The residents of the River Parishes take great pride in the building of their bonfires. To create a bonfire, a family must first file a permit with Pontchartrain Levee Board. This is to be insured in case of an accident as well as notifying proper safety authorities.  Then teams called the ‘Boys of the Bonfire Club’ will deliver logs, branches, kindling, and spars to help the families create their bonfires.

Each family often creates the traditional conical style – a center spar planted dead center in the ground while 3 or 4 other long spars are used as corner edges – meeting at the top of the center spar to create a pyramid.  Next, shorter logs are stacked log cabin style to develop the outer wall of the pyramid. It is then filled with kindling, cotton doused in kerosene, and left-over pieces of wood.  Each bonfire averages about 20 feet high.

In recent years, whether it was to celebrate the holidays, their favorite sports teams, or unique Louisiana symbol, families have become more creative with their designs, adding a little flare to the tradition.

How to Experience the Bonfires on the Levee

If you can make it, the most popular way to experience the Bonfires on the Levee gathering on Christmas Eve. You should arrive at sunset, around 7pm.  Then the bonfires are set ablaze and bowls of hot gumbo and eggnog are served. However, if you can’t make it on Christmas Eve, there are also 2 other ways to experience this Louisiana Bucket List Event earlier in December.

The Events

1. Oak Alley Plantation’s Annual Christmas Bonfire Party: Usually held the 1st Saturday in December, this is a bit more of an organized event held in nearby Vacherie, Louisiana at the famous Oak Alley Plantation.  The party starts at 7pm where you are treated to an unbelievable Cajun/creole buffet style feast by workers in period plantation style costumes. Then around 8pm the brass quintet second line parades everyone to the levee. Here the bonfire is lit, and Christmas carols are sung.  From there, you can stay or return to the plantation for more great food, dancing, and fun. Don’t lollygag though because every year this event sells out quick and reservations are required. Please call 800-44ALLEY to purchase your tickets or visit them online.
2. Festival of the Bonfires: The Festival of the Bonfires is a wonderful small festival usually held the 2nd full weekend (Friday – Sunday) of December in Lutcher, Louisiana.  Their slogan is “CHRISTMAS ON THE RIVER…CAJUN STYLE!” and they live up to the hype.  Of course, you are there to see the bonfires, but the festival offers fun for the whole family.  With live entertainment, crafts, Santa’s Very Merry Forest and carnival rides, it is easy to get in the holiday spirit as you wait for the lighting of the bonfire.  Be ready to eat. There is a large variety of main courses like gumbo, jambalaya, boudin sausage, potato salads, and miscellaneous fried foods. But leave room for desser as the Cajun Christmas treats arrive in full force! You will find various types of bread pudding, brownies, funnel cakes, and even deep-fried Twinkies for the adventurous soul. Make sure you grab some hot cocoa or eggnog around 6:30pm.
   After, head outside to special buses that will shuttle you to the levee. Here at 7pm the Queens of the Festival will light the Bonfires. From there you can catch any of the shuttles back to the festival to enjoy more food or dance the night away to live music.

Joyeux Noel!

Have you ever seen the Bonfires on the Levee in the River Parishes of Louisiana? Do you have Christmas traditions that are unique to your family or community? Tell us all about them in the comments below.

And as Papa Noël says at the end of the Cajun Night Before Christmas:

“An’ I hear him shout loud

As a splashin’ he go

‘Merry Christmas to all

‘Til I say you some mo’!”

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Every weekend in November the small town of Hammond, Louisiana, takes people back in time to a historical 16th century village (Albright) in England.  The Louisiana Renaissance Festival (aka: RenFest) has been a popular destination since the year 2000, celebrating all things from the renaissance era.  Here are the top 6 Reasons You Need To Attend The Louisiana Renaissance Festival:

1) The Shows & Events – There is no lack of entertainment at RenFest.  At the festival (open at 10am) you’ll find many free shows that will transport you back to days of old.  Whether you like comedy, music, juggling, or action, there is something for all ages.  Each show lasts 20 – 40 minutes depending on the show.  I recommend that you acquire a map & schedule of daily events at the entrance (for free) so you know when and where things are going on.  Also, if you want a seat, you should get to the shows about 5 to 10 minutes early.  Some of the fan favorite shows and events at RenFest are:

• Jousting: This is by far the top event to see.  The Jousting Arena is set up at the far end of the property and has several bleachers set up for viewers.  The show is great.  There is an emcee who narrates the events as two knights come out bearing their colors and the narrator divides the crowd to root for their knight!  Of course, there is actual jousting as the knights race toward each other with their lances and strike each other for points.  There is also hand to hand combat as well.  Besides the action, you will find yourself laughing as the two knights play to the crowd.
• Falconry Show: Another great show at the Jousting arena that has owls, hawks and falcons flying freely in this demonstration.  Nearby is a tent where you can see these magnificent birds on their perches before and after performances. You can also have your picture taken with some of them.
• Pandorium Belly Dancing: Over by the Lakeview stage, you can watch gypsies belly dancing.  What is great is not only do they do the typical belly dancing to the accompanying troubadour band but they also tell stories with their dances that kids of all ages enjoy.
• Shakespeare Approves: This show replaces the Robin Hood Presents at the Queen’s stage.  If you want to experience Hamlet in a comedic fashion, then this is the show for you.  William Shakespeare hosts as he tells the story of Hamlet using people from the audience to as his characters.  Its a great way to get the family involved and laugh the whole time.
• The Duelists: Outside of Jousting, this may be one of the best shows at RenFest.  You can find 3 showings of The Duelists at the King’s stage.  The Duelists demonstrate the 10 steps in every epic duel.  They showcase hand to hand combat using a variety of weapons—rapiers, daggers, swords and shields, axes, the halberd, maces, whips and more.  On top of the exciting sword play, the show is chocked with humor and innuendo that will make you laugh out loud.  Be warned, although they invite hecklers to jab at them throughout the show, they do jab back in a fun and comedic way.

2) The Food & Drink – No festival in Louisiana would be worth its salt if it didn’t have unbelievable food and drinks – RenFest doesn’t disappoint.  At the fest you will find all kinds of fair and festival foods typical of both Louisiana and the Renaissance era.

For unique Renaissance foods, look for Turkey Legs, Pretzels, Scotch Eggs, Beef on a Stick, Shepard’s Pie, and a variety of warm soups served in bread bowls.  If that doesn’t appease you, there are burgers, nachos, Chinese food, Mexican food, and even a donut tent.  For dessert, you can find an array of treats like fudge, cotton candy, brownies, candy apples and frozen chocolate covered cheese cakes, among the many options.

To wet your whistle, you will find plenty of beer and wine options throughout the fest.  They even have several pubs in Albright Village where you can grab a pint, sit, and listen to troubadours or catch a show.  For non alcoholic options they have root beer floats, bubble tea, and a make your own flavor of soda booth. For the less adventurous drinker, colas, water, tea, and coffee are also available.

3) Rides and Games – At any festival or school fair you can always expect to see rides and games of chance or skill.  However, at the Louisiana Renaissance Festival expect to see unique versions that test your medieval skills.

The rides are not only a sight to witness, but fun to experience.  You might recognize various carnival rides from modern festivals, but with the twist of old school mechanics.  You will see merry go rounds with powered by small horses, the swinging sea dragon ride made to look like a hippogriff and swung with pullies, or a tea cup like ride called the Crow’s nest spun by men around a pole with ropes and pegs.  There are also a couple of renaissance era themed rides such as a Sliding Joust where you ride a wooden horse and slide down a track while holding a lance hoping to spear the hoop against an opponent coming from the opposite direction.

As for carnival games, there are tons of options for the knight in training.  You can showcase your skills at archery, knife throwing, axe throwing, blow darts, cross bow shooting, catapults, and a rotten tomato throw at the village jester.  If you have little ones that you don’t want hurling weapons around, don’t fret there are plenty of fun activities for the wee ones as well.

4) The Shopping – One of the fun things to do at any festival is window shop the various arts, crafts of miscellaneous merchants pawning their wares.  At The Louisiana Renaissance Festival you won’t be disappointed in the merchants and what they have to offer.  RenFest offers everything from jewelry, hats, and toys to weapons, magic wands, kilts, and period costumes. It is one of the few places perhaps in the world where even children will be happy to explore the shopping booths.

Now I want to go to the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Want to come with me?
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5) The Costumes – As you would expect, there are countless volunteers and workers decked out in full costumes throughout The Louisiana Renaissance Festival.  Dress includes a wide assortment of costumes from pirates, knights in armor, simple medieval renaissance peasants, scots in kilts, and characters dressed as royalty.

What is interesting, is that not only are the workers of RenFest dressed in costumes, but also many attendees.  You will see men walking into the festival wearing a kilt while holding the hands of little princesses and even a little Iron Man.  Feel free to wear your favorite renaissance costume to the festival, you will fit in just fine as it is actually encouraged by RenFest with their daily costume contest held at the Queen’s Stage.

6) Ye Royal Village of Albright – As said earlier, The Louisiana Renaissance Festival has created a historical 16th century English village (Albright) on their 16 acre property in Hammond, Louisiana.  The village is built around a small lake located in the center of the property.  The experience the beauty of the property as you stroll amid pine trees.

Walking the Royal Village of Albright is an experience in itself.  Of course there are shops, food booths, rides, games, and shows but the village comes alive as characters reenact the renaissance period.

You will various period demonstrations, including baking, butter churning, glass blowing, blacksmithing, and sewing. You can even take a tour of a medieval dungeon museum where you can learn different torture techniques used during the renaissance era.

For more information about purchasing tickets or seeing the schedule of events about the Louisiana Renaissance Festival visit their website at www.Larf.net. However, if you would like to ask us questions or share with us your RenFest experiences, leave a comment below!  Huzzah to the Commenters!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

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Being from New Orleans, I never really experienced rodeos or any professional bull riding type events first hand.  However, every year around October there is a slight buzz in the air about the Louisiana State Penitentiary in Angola, Louisiana. NO, I am not referring to the buzz of the infamous electric chair, Gruesome Gertie! The Angola Prison Rodeo is an annual event located on the grounds of the Louisiana State Penitentiary commonly known as “The Farm.” The rodeo is held every Sunday during October and one weekend in April and is worth the drive.

So, why should it be on everyone’s Adventure Activities bucket list – especially if you live in Louisiana?  Well, after experiencing it, here are my top reasons:

The Prison Rodeo Itself

The rodeo is comprised of many different events including the familiar bull riding as well as numerous unexpected entertaining events.  But what is unique is that the inmates participate and run the majority of the events themselves.  These inmates have no experience, but volunteer to participate for both prizes and “glory.”  In total, the inmates participate in about 10 events including: The Grand Entry (Seen Left), Bust Out, Bareback Riding, Wild Horse Race, Bull-Dogging, Inmate Pinball, Chariot Races, Wild Cow Milking, Bull Riding, Convict Poker, & Guts and Glory.

There are several other events that are run by and participated by professionals such as barrel racing by women competing on the professional tour.  Plus you may get a chance to see some professional trick riders or a motorcycle daredevil.  For the safety of the inmates and the entertainment of the onlookers, there are also professional rodeo clowns running around and adding friendly banter with the announcer.

The Arts & Craft Show

Before entering the Rodeo, I recommend getting there at least an hour early to explore the outdoor arts and craft show.  There are paintings, leather goods, jewelry, woodwork, and even beautiful wooden furniture like handmade rocking chairs.  But what is really cool is that many of the stalls are selling items made by the convicts themselves. It’s a unique experience as you walk around the outdoor stalls.  If you decide you want to buy something, you get a purchase ticket from an inmate and take it to the cashier.  Then return with your purchase receipt and can return your item to your car.  At first you may seem a bit put off as you walk amid some free roaming inmates behind a metal fence.  However, you soon relax as you explore the beauty of their handiwork.

Every October there's a slight buzz in the air at the State Penitentiary in Louisiana & it's not from the infamous electric chair, Gruesome Gertie! See why the Angola Prison Rodeo needs to be on your #Bucketlist! #OnlyLouisiana
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The FOOD at the Angola Prison Rodeo

Don’t go to the prison rodeo expecting to eat anything healthy.  But do expect to enjoy the smells and flavors of some of the best fair/rodeo food in the world!  From gigantic smoked turkey legs to bowls of jambalaya to tamales and much more, you can find nearly anything your heart desires (and clog it up) while you eat at this event.

The highlight…DEEP FRIED COKE.  That is right, I said it, DEEP FRIED COCA COLA!!  Essentially, what they do is take coca cola and add it to a batter mixture.  Then they drop the batter ball into a deep fryer and viola, you have DEEP FRIED COKE!  Then they serve you several of the Fried Coke Balls in a cup, cover it with powdered sugar, and whip cream and drop a cherry on top.  It tastes like a coke infused beignet or perhaps a funnel cake ball for you folk outside of Louisiana, just sweeter.

The Neighborhood

Ok so “the Farm” doesn’t have any direct neighbors but St. Francisville is about 20 minutes away. St. Francisville is a popular tourist destination, with a number of restored historic plantations open daily for tours, including Rosedown Plantation State Historic Site, Audubon State Historic Site, Butler Greenwood Plantation, The Haunted Myrtles Plantation, as well as several antebellum gardens.  Since the rodeo is on Sunday, why not make a weekend of it by showing up on Friday night and staying in one of St. Francisville’s beautiful Bed and Breakfasts. There are also plenty of Airbnbs in St. Francisville if you are looking for something a bit more cozy.  But either way, this will allow you to explore the plantations on Saturday and then end your weekend at the Angola Rodeo on Sunday before heading home.

Another thing to do Sunday morning before getting to the rodeo is to explore the hidden Tunica Falls between St. Francisville and Angola. Clark Creek Natural Area, sometimes referred to as Tunica Falls, is a natural haven for bird watching, hiking, photography, botanizing and nature lovers.  There are two trails you can take to reach the falls: the primitive trail or the improved pea graveled trail.  It should take you about 2 hours if you take the improved trail.

So Grab your Cowboy Hat and get Going

So as you can see, the Angola Prison Rodeo is truly not to be missed. It has a little something for everyone. Whether you are a rodeo lover, a foodie, or an art collector, you will enjoy the event. The rodeo is also kid friendly – so the whole family can come!

For more information visit the Angola Prison Rodeo website, or its Facebook page. The event often sells out so be sure to buy your tickets online in advance. Happy trails!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Favorite Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “Angola Prison Rodeo”, may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

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Have you ever dreamed of going on a wild African Safari?  Hell Yeah! 

Oxford Dictionary defines a Safari as “an expedition to observe or hunt animals in their natural habitat, especially in East Africa.”

Growing up reading Zoo Books has inspired many to follow in the footsteps Hemingway or President Roosevelt and fulfill their dream of going on safari.  Who wouldn’t want to take such an epic adventure?  What prevents people from doing so?  Well, usually it is the cost and time to travel to Africa that seems to throw the proverbial monkey wrench in people’s dream to explore such venues.  But what if you could take a day trip and spend less than $40?  Well that is exactly what we did!

Part of my bucket list is #200) Know my home State of Louisiana.  I added this item to my bucket list because often people dream of worlds far away but ignore great adventures in their own back yard. Being born and raised in Louisiana, I figured that I had seen and done most of the major attractions in my home state.  But after much research, I learned that I wasn’t even close.  Therefore, I took it upon myself to find some of the greatest secrets hiding in my own back yard.  This search led to the discovery of a real life safari in my home state of Louisiana at the Global Wildlife Center Safari!

Thus #200) Know my home State of Louisiana: P) Go on Safari at the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom

The Global Wildlife Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation that was established in 1991.  Located in Folsom, Louisiana about 1.5 hours from New Orleans, it is a 900 acre preserve with over 4,000 animals free roaming on premises.  They currently house giraffes, camels, watusi, mesopotamian deer, antelopes, zebras, rheas, mules, alpacas, kangaroos, and something called a Beefalo among many other animals. The property is beautiful to say the least and is a great adventure for the whole family.

When you arrive, you immediately enter the visitor center/gift shop and obtain your tickets.  Tickets start at $17 for adults and $11 for children under the age of 11.  Tour sign ups are usually completed on the hour and within 10 to 15 minutes you are loaded up on safari wagons that are pulled by slow moving tractors.  It is an excellent tour run by local young adults who provide a vast knowledge of the animals, their environments, and a bit of fun humor along the way.  For our experience, the safari ride itself lasted about 1.5 hours which felt like a great return on our investment.

I want to Go on Safari at the Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana! #GlobalWildlifeCenter
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The tour is definitely educational but it is also part petting zoo, as you have the option to obtain a large souvenir cup of food pellets for about $2 or even a family size bucket for $30 to feed the animals as they roam up to the wagons.  This was as much fun for the kids as it is for the adults.  To feel the horns of the monstrous watusi or to pet the many deer, you must be on guard as they hustle you for your pails of food. 

If you feel like splurging, there is also the opportunity to take a tour in a Private Pinzgauer.  Named after an Austrian breed of horse, these former military utility vehicles can accommodate up to eight guests, and this 4×4 can go places our safari wagons could not!  These private tours  are priced around $35 per person for at least an hour.

Whether you take the Private Pinz tour or you jump on the safari wagon, make sure you bring plenty of water cause it gets hot out there.  They are very accommodating and have no objections, I recommend you bring your own personal water bottles to combat the safari heat!

So as you can see, adventure can be found everywhere!  Through research online, I have discovered that many places across the U.S. offer similar wildlife experiences.  Don’t let the distance of Africa deter you from a once in a lifetime Safari adventure that may actually be available in your own backyard.

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Editor’s Note: The 4 Leaf Clover Project: Sharing a Little Luck was originally published May 2016 and has recently been updated and revised for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

When I was creating my Bucket List Project several years ago, I remember being able to bang out 80+ things in the initial writing of my list in that old composite notebook. It came easy to put down travel, adventure, and even personal growth items on my list! But when I went to read what I had written down, almost off of them were about me! This kind of disturbed me a little cause I was raised to always help others whenever a situation presented itself. So I thought that I needed to make sure that I created a part of my bucket list devoted to trying to give back to the world or offering help to those who may need a little bit, hence The Helping Others List.

Now anyone could put “FIND THE CURE TO CANCER!” or even a bit more sensible, “#7) Do Missionary Work in a 3rd World Country” on their list like I did. But then I came across a quote that inspired me:

“I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” ― Mother Teresa

Can you image, Mother Teresa admitting that? I mean she must have cared for more sick and helpless people in Calcutta than I can even imagine. But I stopped. I realized that it even if I cant do something major (like toss a boulder) then maybe I can manage small. Maybe, a little genuine project could be my little stones to cast! Right?

Therefore, I started dreaming of creative little ways to help, say thank you, or just give back to the world! Now this The Helping Others List is a work in progress but its hands down one of my favorite parts of my overall Bucket List Project because it allows me to come up with creative ways to accomplish the main goal of this category like:

141) Find a Leaf Clovers & Give it away to Someone Who Needs Luck!

Why Share a 4 Leaf Clover with Someone?

So why would anyone need a 4 Leaf Clover? How does that Help others & make ripples in waters of life?

Well sometimes we hit a bump in the road. We may pray for improvement & hope for a bit of Luck to carry us out of a storm! So my thought was that these 4 Leaf Clovers, I had found would hopefully assist people who needed some hope. It may or may not actually be Lucky but to me, they are Symbols that someone out there is rooting for, praying for, & Loves you!

Now according to lore, they Say that each of the 4 Leaves of a Clover stands for Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck! So whichever of the 4 someone needed (perhaps all 4), my hope was they got them!

Then when they had come to their Lucky Place, my hope was that they would “Gift” the 4 Leaf Clover to someone who truly needs it & if Possible, let me know where it is

A few years back, The Bucket List Project found SIX 4-Leaf Clovers in New Orleans! Of course it was hard but what they did with them was so EASY that even you can do it! Find out how you can Share a Little Luck with others!
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How to find a Four Leaf Clover

So is finding a 4 leaf clover totally dumb luck? I mean we all hear the stories of 4 leaf clovers but has anyone actually seen even 1 in person? I mean tradition holds that if you find a white clover that has four leaves, you are lucky. So am I trying to force the impossible? The answer is and was for me, not if you believe you can find them and then a little research.

In doing our research, we found that just 1 out of every 10,000 white clovers has four-leaves. If the odds of finding a four-leaf clover are truly 1-in-10,000, how much area do you need for 10,000 clovers and where do you find those patches? Well in New Orleans, after a little research, good weather, and “Luck”, I found four leaf clovers in two separate places!

The 4 Leaf Clover Project: Sharing a little Luck

So, as you can see, between the 2 areas, I was lucky enough to find six actual 4 Leaf Clovers (3 in each area).

Awesome, right?!?!

After bringing these 6 shamrocks home, it was time to create some magic! I went online and found these 3.5×5 Rustic Distressed Wooden table top frames from Amazon so that I could display them.  I wrote special notes for each frame discussing where I had found this specific 4 leaf clover, the idea behind our project to share a little luck, and what my hopes where with these special shamrocks.

But then the hard part came. Who out there needed me to send them this token of Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck?

To be honest, I struggled at first to figure out the who and the why! This was strange because I didn’t have issues like this when I was putting together my Wizard of Oz Dinner idea! I mean, like the famous Wizard said in the book, “I’m a very good man (At least I try to be). I’m just a very bad Wizard.” 

So I sat down and thought and tried to discover the inspiration behind these specific 4 leaf clovers. Perhaps where they were found could help me find the right people! 

The 4 Leaf Clovers of Hope

Now, with the two 4 Leaf Clovers I found by Flood St & Dorgenois St in New Orleans, I realized that they were coming up in vacant lots where homes were destroyed by the levee breach from Hurricane Katrina back in 2005. To me, these lucky little shamrocks reminded me that despite unbelievable devastation, life would find a way to bring beauty back! Therefore, I felt that these 4 leaf clovers embodied a spirit of Rebirth, Regrowth, & Renewal! So, I needed to send these 2 clovers with their story to someone who needed a 2nd chance!

The 4 Leaf Clovers of Strength

Next I found two 4 leaf clovers in Audubon Park next to the Famous Etienne de Boré Oak, or the Tree of Life. But for some reason these clovers gave me a different motive. See, the Tree Of Life is a famous oak tree here in New Orleans, that’s nearly 400 years old. It has seen New Orleans through its greatest and worst times yet still continues to Stand Strong and Grow! But to Celtic People, the Tree Of Life represents Wisdom, Longevity, & most of all, Strength!  So, I felt that these 2 needed to go out to people who were searching for strength.

So with these inspirations in mind, I went on a mission to find these 4 leaf clovers a home. It was a bit weird asking for people in pain or were just needing a bit of luck. But with a little effort, we gave away the last of my 4 frames in the Summer of 2015.

Perhaps these very, small “stones” that were cast across the waters can create many ripples.

Have you ever found a four leaf clover before? Do you feel that they are lucky? Would you be willing to share them with someone else who needs it more than you? Or More importantly, what Ways to Help Others do you have on your own Bucket List? Let us know in the comments below & perhaps inspire someone to make a small ripple today!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

Disclosure: This post, “The 4 Leaf Clover Project: Sharing a little Luck” may contain affiliate links. Using the links doesn’t cost you any extra, and it helps keep the site free, fun, and community supported! Eric & Darcee will never recommend a product that we don’t genuinely believe in, actually use ourselves, have researched, and trust. Please see the disclosure policy for more information.

The post The 4 Leaf Clover Project: Sharing a little Luck appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Ok So I realize that it is already mid May and that 1/3rd of 2016 is already over but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t plan it out!  I just didn’t share it yet!   In fact, every January, I tend to sit down post Christmas and start Bucketlistlusting (is that a word?) from my Old Notebook.  Then I literally create a year graph and draw out how I think I can manage it.  Then I place it by my notebook in a place where I and anyone can see it to always remind me of my commitment to my dreams, hopes, and goals of the year!

But if you read the Origin of our Bucket List Project, I stated that I needed to always post it online for 3 Main Reasons:

1) I need Everyone’s help…keep me accountable, help me find ways to accomplish my goals, or just cheer me on!!

2) I want to help others with their own Bucket List Items.  #103 on my list is to Help anyone Complete an Item on their Bucket List within 1 year of them Helping me Completing one of mine!!

3) I want to Inspire People to Dream & then to GO OUT & COMPLETE THEIR BUCKET LIST!  If I can do this, then ANYONE CAN!  Too many people, my Friends & Family included, just go through life living a mediocre existence!

Therefore, I am here now to post up my 2016 goals for The Bucket List Project & perhaps some insights on how I am going to pursue these items this year.

Now 2016 is a Special year for me in that on February 25th, I actually took my 40th lap around the Sun!  So I decided to go after a couple of big ticket items. So Below, I will list what I had written on my Graph and add or tell you what I have already changed.  Let me know in the comments below if there is anything that is on your list this year or is there anything else that I should add or subtract.  Also, let me know if you want to join me on any of these adventures or projects!

February

• #199) Raise a Minimum of $2,500 for a Charity I Care for Angel’s Place in New Orleans
• #200) Explore my home state of Louisiana
  • c)  See the Preservation Hall Show Live

March

• #202) Ride in a Submersive Underwater Bubble (S.U.B.) in the Bahamas

April

• #118) Geocache in 4 Cities (#1 New Orleans)
• #200) Explore my home state of Louisiana
  • b)Visit Tabasco on Avery Island
  • g) Boudin & Beer at Fred’s Lounge in Mamou
  • h) Zydeco Brunch at Café Des Amis in Breaux Bridge
  • s) Drive the Bayou Teche Byway

May

• #78) Experience the Kentucky Derby
• #104) Finish Reading the 5 Major “Arts” Books
• #203) Start Reading my 11 Classic Adventure Books
• #77) Experience the Indy 500

June

• #188) See the Synchronous Fireflies in Elkmont, Tennessee
• #5) See my 6 Pack Abs

The Next 3 were added to June/July 

• #109) Walk the Camino de Santiago from France to Santiago, Espana
• #185) Visit and Stay with 3 Different Friends who live in Foreign Countries so that I can Reconnect with Old Friends & See that Country through Local Eyes (My Family in Leon, Espana while I am Hiking the Camino)
• #153) Drink Port Wine in Portugal

July

• Do one of my MAKE AMENDS Items hopefully!

August

• #55) Return to Fenway Baseball Park to See the Red Sox Play the Yankees
• #54) Go to a Summer Olympics
• #124) Travel to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
• #185) Visit and Stay with 3 Different Friends who live in Foreign Countries so that I can Reconnect with Old Friends & See that Country through Local Eyes (My Brazilian Friends I met in 2012)

September

• #187) Travel to Banff National Park in Alberta, Canada
• #108) Do 4+ Outdoor Adventure “Mud Races” (4th & Final is the Spartan near Banff, Alberta, CA)

October

• #167) Celebrate Dia De Muertos in Mexico
• #185) Visit and Stay with 3 Different Friends who live in Foreign Countries so that I can Reconnect with Old Friends & See that Country through Local Eyes (Stay or Visit with Mike Poissenot for Dia De Muertos in Mexico)

November

• #70) Climb the Statue of Liberty
• #79) See the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in Person in NYC
• #89) Travel to the Niagara Falls

December

• PREPARE FOR THE ADVENTURE OF MY LIFE!!!!!

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

The post My Hopes & Goals of 2016 appeared first on The Bucket List Project.

Located in the heart of Louisiana’s Cajun country, is the small town of Mamou.  It is famous for its music, musicians & bills itself as “The Cajun Music Capital of the World.”

     Now that all sounds nice & cute but why would anyone take the 3 hour drive from New Orleans, a city with tons of music, just to go to some small town in the middle of nowhere?  Well throughout my project, I have experienced this unique feeling of accidental discovery, especially of simple & small hidden gems.  I guess the best way to describe this happy feeling is when you find a $5 bill that had been forgotten and left in your pants or coat pocket.  When you discover this simple lost treasure, you instantly smile.  So, when I was writing out my list I decided to go in search of little secret gems in my home State of Louisiana, to find that proverbial hidden treasure in my own backyard.  This is what brought me to Mamou, Louisiana to complete:

#200) Know my home State of Louisiana:

              g) Boudin & Beer at Fred’s in Mamou (Completed on 04-30-2016 with Darcee Snider)

GETTING THERE

Fred’s Lounge (420 6th St., Mamou, LA) is a unique experience to say the least & getting there adds to the experience.  There are many ways to get to Mamou, however we took I-10W to LA-13N.  After taking the easy drive up the LA-13N, you finally get to the town of Mamou.  Look for the Hospital sign or just take a right on South Street at the beginning of town and a left on 6th and you are essentially on their “Main Street”.  We drove up on a stormy Saturday Morning so we were able to park across the street, but on a beautiful day it would be easy to imagine tons of trucks and motorcycles lining the streets.  As you walk up to the old door you immediately notice the historic sign outside describing the history of Alfred “Fred” Tate, how he bought the bar in November of 1946, and all he and the Lounge did for Cajun Music.  After checking out the sign, just open the door and dive right in to the heart of Cajun Country!

                                                                              NOW GET READY!

Fred’s is high energy!  Being that it is only open on Saturday mornings beginning at 8:00am and ending around 2:00pm, it gets rowdy fast.  But as soon as you walk in the door, you realize you are going to have fun and can’t help but smile. (Like finding that $5 in your pocket). It isn’t a very big venue but includes a big horseshoe bar to the left and directly across from it is a Cajun band of some 4-5 musicians set up right smack dab in the center of the bar where they are broadcasting their Saturday-morning Cajun-music radio show that has been airing on 1050AM since 1962.

Now despite all those people taking up space on the dance floor, this isn’t a free sit-down concert!  Be prepared to Dance!  Despite the small space, you just can’t help yourself because the music takes control.  Old farmers, young cowboys, Harley riding bad asses, tourists and locals alike all can’t resist the music. Everyone grabs a girl and starts dancing.  The music is truly unbelievable. It’s that old Cajun French that few understand anymore but everyone still feels inside them.

The Legend of Tante Sue

After the death of Fred on July 15, 1992, his wife Tante Sue remained at the bar.  From the way the stories go, she is a pistol of personality with a bad addiction to cinnamon that only shots of Hot Damn can cure.  She would have all kinds of random fun according to the many visitors of the day.  It is said that first she would take the microphone for the weekly tradition wherein she read the guest book to see which visitors traveled the farthest and would give away Cajun prizes such as a seasoning and sauce gift set.  Then, she would walk around to all the dancers and drinkers with a white cake box handing out slices of Boudin and shots of Hot Damn to go with their Beer!

Sadly, Tante Sue doesn’t work there anymore.  But as of April 2016, she is still around. So you may catch her walking down Maine Street with her gun holster filled with a flask of hot damn, when you visit Mamou.

I want to go to Fred's in Mamou, Louisiana for Boudin, Beer, and Live Cajun Music!
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THE BOUDIN & THE BEER

So without Tante Sue did we still have BOUDIN & THE BEER? Definitely…well sort of…kind of….

Day drinking isn’t a big deal coming from a city like New Orleans, but several beers midmorning while Cajun dancing is a unique practice of those skills.  Fred’s is a beer hall, with Coors’ Light flowing like water.  However, if you really want the experience we recommend their specialty beer:

The $2 Schlitz

Now if you aren’t a beer drinker, they have great Bloody Mary’s or you can get a Double Crown & Seven.  You may even decide you need the liquid courage of several shots of Hot Damn in honor of Tante Sue!

Now unfortunately, with Tante Sue’s departure, they don’t seem to be handing out slices of Boudin anymore.  What the hell is Boudin? Basically, boudin is a combination of cooked rice, pork, onions, green peppers and spices injected into a natural casing and served everywhere from the fanciest restaurants to gas stations.  In my personal opinion, it is even better rolled into meat balls and then deep fried!  Now I know that all sounds unbelievable, but as they say in New Orleans, “it ain’t dere no more,” at least at Fred’s.  So, when you decide you can’t dance anymore or savor another sip of Schlitz, walk across the street to the Krazy Cajun Café (411 6th St, Mamou).  Krazy Cajun Café has some of the best breakfast food around.  The pancakes and omelets are awesome and they have daily specials for brunch and lunch foods. If you stick with breakfast definitely get a biscuit as your side cause it was awesome.  Also, I personally recommend sitting at the old diner counter and talking with the staff.  They ladies working there were unbelievably friendly and told us the stories of Mamou, their own children and all the news & gossip of the town.  It was a perfect end to this great adventure.

Have You Ever Been To Fred’s Lounge, the Krazy Cajun Café, or anywhere cool in Mamou? Tell me about Your Experience in the Comments Below?

Don’t forget to Pin this to your Bucket List Board!

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