Did You Grow Up In Louisiana? 6 Things That Take Me Back To My Childhood Memories
Kids are different now from when I grew up in the 1980s. We played outside, went to the park, rode our bikes, and went to the skating rinks. We did everything outside—in fact, we were almost locked outside! We knew how to have fun and learned how to entertain ourselves. Today, kids and their parents are glued to an iPad or a phone. Not necessarily a bad thing, but kids are a lot less active than we were. Of course, we didn't have access to the technology of today either.
Earlier this week I came across some old photos and videos, and they got me thinking about my childhood. How growing up in Louisiana is and was a unique experience for most people, regardless of the era. Simply because of the state's vast southern traditions' diverse cultures and 'country upbringing' aspect I guess. My era was the 80s and 90s and a lot was going on in terms of social entertainment for us. There were a bunch of great TV sitcoms, crazy colors on the fashion scene, and a whole lotof girl and boy music groups.
What do you remember the most about growing up in Louisiana? Do you have a favorite memory? Here's a little Louisiana nostalgia from the 80s and 90s that might take you back.
The New Orleans World Fair Gondola
1.) The Gondola sky lift also called the MART (Mississippi Aerial River Transit.) The City of New Orleans had it built before the city hosted the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition. It would carry people from the East of the Mississippi Bank fair site to the West Bank of Algiers.
Before the 1984 New Orleans State Fair, residents of Algiers only traveled to downtown NOLA by ferry. The Fairy started operations in 1878 and happens to be one of the oldest working ferries in the city. which is one of the oldest ferries in the nation
The Froststop Drive-In Restaurant In LaPlace, LA
2.) How many of you remember taking a road trip with the family and stopping for a root beer float, fries, and greasy hamburger at the Froststop Drive-In in LaPlace? The flagship restaurant opened as a root beer stand in 1926 in Springfield, Ohio. The Louisiana location opened its doors on Airline Hwy. in 1958.
You'll be happy to know, it's still open! Next time you're in the LaPlace area stop by for one of the best root beer floats on the planet. Here is a look back at LaPlace Frostop drive-in from the 60s and what it looks like today.
Cat Island, Home To The Oldest Bald Cypress Tree In America
3.) A survivor of the cypress logging after the Civil War, this bald cypress is the sixth-largest tree in the U.S. and the largest tree east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. It boasts a height of around 83 feet and a circumference of over 57 feet. Located in the back of the remote Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge, across the aptly named “low water bridge,” due to how close it frequently is to the rushing creek, this tree is one of a few in the area that are impressively large.
The tree is believed to be 1,200 to 1,500 years old, meaning it began growing around the same time as the death of Charlemagne, the first Holy Roman Emperor of Europe.
Cat Island is not an island at all, but the surrounding area is so often flooded that it would be easy to mistake it for one. The refuge is bounded by the Mississippi River and Bayou Sara, and it tends to be flooded from December through June. During those times, the area where the bald cypress stands is only reachable by boat.The largest cypress tree in the United States. It’s located on Cat Island in West Feliciana Parish. It’s estimated to be 1200-1500 years old.
Do You Remember The TV Chef Justin Wilson?
4.) I used to love Justin Wilson talk. I guarantee it! He was so funny, especially when he would "told you a story." before he would start his show. Half of the things he said I could barely understand. Ironically, he wasn't Cajun, he just did a good impression (though some real Cajun's found his humor degrading).
Wilson hosted a popular show on PBS called Louisiana Cookin in the 80s and 90s and I used to watch it all the time. Do you remember his show?
The Mardi Gras Ladder Chair Phenomenon
5.) Mardi Gras is a serious business in Louisiana. So, much so that some folks have created a special chair that allows for adults or children (depending on the chair) to get an extra advantage on catching all the 'good' throws during Mardi Gras parades. Some of these chairs get quite elaborate.
I have no idea who invented this nifty contraption, but along the parade routes you're bound to see people perched screaming, "Throw me something, Mister!) For the most part, it's a 4-foot ladder as you can see, with a wooden box nailed to the top. They work pretty darn good too! This is why, the old Mardi Gras Chair is an ongoing tradition! By the way, if you want one or would like a foot platform upgrade, check out the video below. There's a gentleman that is making them and I'm sure he will be happy to take your order.
6.) Is it just me, or do you wish we still had a skating rink in Lake Charles? I was so sad when Skate City closed after 37 years, the owners closed the doors. I remember going every other weekend during my high school years. We had so much fun.
I wish someone would open a new one, so kids today could experience roller skating like we did. It's a great way to stay in shape. Matter of fact, I can remember a lot of older people would be out on their skates and most of the time were the best skaters in the rink. Those were the days! I found this old video on YouTube, a perfect example of an older person having a little fun and getting a little exercise at the same time. This guy looks like he's having a ball.
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