Lake Charles, LA

As promised, I would blog while on my trip...however I didn't anticipate that my day would be so full...I'm just now got to my room at 11pm. Things got off to a bit of a rocky start - Enterprise Rental Car took much longer than planned and then the stop for lunch was a disaster. Who knew that a lunch at the Cracker Barrel would take nearly an hour and a half...for eggs & bacon no less! A couple of the writers had some delays (and lost luggage, for a few hours at least), but it has been smooth sailing now that everyone has arrived.

We kicked things off with a tour of the Lake Charles Mardi Gras Museum. This museum boasts to have the largest Mardi Gras costume display in the world, and I must admit that it was quite spectacular. Check me out wearing one of the queen head-pieces. Anne, the woman hosting the museum tour, insisted that everyone put it on!!! Maybe someone should be checking my head for lice…ewwww.

It was time for dinner which leads us to the Snake River Grill at the L’Auberge du Lac Resort/Casino. Talk about an amazing dining experience! They truly gave us the royal treatment with each course. This was complete with bacon wrapped dates, crepe duck rolls, lamb-popsicles, onion rings, filet mignon, roasted garlic, lobster mashed potatoes and yes, crème brule for dessert. We were all so full and sleepy that no one was interested in staying at the casino for some gaming…probably for the best.

Below you can check out the video of Gumbeaux Gator, the official ambassador of the SWLA Convention & Visitor's Bureau.