The word swamp conjures up tangled vegetation heavy with Spanish moss, fetid, dark and sinister waters, oppressive heat, and countless things that creep, crawl, slither, and will strike. Too many Hollywood films have portrayed the swamp as a menacing place with the power to pull even the most prepared hero into and underneath its depths. So, when Doug mentioned he wanted to do a Harvest Host Swamp Tour in Louisiana, I acted like he was asking me to meet Hannibal Lecter for aperitifs and one, maybe two quick cocktails. Stay overnight? On the edge of the swamp? What if we sank into it? What if things crept out of it overnight? On top of that, a non-swimmer, in a boat with alligators and creepy crawlies all around? How much does one have to do for love?
If you don’t know the answer to that, it’s whatever one can and then push past that another 50%. I know he does a lot of things with me that he probably wouldn’t feel the need to do on his own so I pushed my concerns aside. Doug, I stand bayou. (Had to throw in the joke!)
When we arrived at the Champagne’s Cajun Swamp Tour location the owner with his heavy Louisiana accent got us set up in their parking lot for the night – which was packed, solid ground so I was at least able to get a little sleep after a great sunset over the adjacent cypress/tupelo swamp. Even after a restful night I was still not ready to celebrate the pending adventure so when we showed up for the morning Champagne’s Cajun Swamp Tour and one of the guide’s said it was pronounced Cham-pa-nya and “We ain’t poppin’ corks y’all!” I buckled up for a bumpy ride.
Let me start by saying that the swamp tour ended up being my absolute favorite Harvest Host spot because the tour was phenomenal, and the setting was actually really beautiful.
The boat was large, sturdy, and in good condition. Our guide had a heavy accent, but between the y’alls, the information he provided on the trees, vegetation, flowers, birds, turtles, and yes, snakes and alligators, was beyond my wildest expectations! Swamp school was in session and he was the headmaster!
Our guide could spot that wildlife before anyone else. He made sure everyone had a chance to get the photos they wanted and he glided that boat steadily and easily through the many obstacles in a stealthy but calm and relaxing manner. He made several great “dad jokes”, which I found endearing, but he also talked about the hardship he and his neighbors had endured due to recent hurricanes as well as the lack of tourists due to Covid. As the boat pushed on, the Spanish moss, the huge cypress, the sound of chirping birds in the adjacent bird sanctuary and the reflections off the often-glass-like water were simply beautiful.
I listed a few alligator facts in my last post (here), but here’s some other things we learned on the tour:
- Alligators can hold their breathe up to an hour
- When its cold and they slow their heartbeats they can stay down for 9 hours
- Only 3-4% of 30-40 hatched babies survive to adulthood
- Alligators begin reproducing at age 6 and continue for their entire lives (on average 20-30 years)
- Alligators have 5 front toes but only have 4 in back
Something else amazing about the tour – zero pesky bugs! Sure it was March, but when someone asked about mosquitos he explained that this swamp didn’t have them because of the tupelo trees and the effective repellent created by their trunks and roots submerged in the swamp!
This tour was reasonably priced and, frankly, they deserved twice if not 3x as much for their time and knowledge.
I don’t know a lot of travelers who put a swamp tour on their bucket list, but I’m telling you and everyone I know…you gotta go! Champagne’s Cajun Swamp Tour is a hard-working team that knows their stuff and will change your entire perspective on spending time in the swamp!
Jury’s still out on the drinks with Hanibal, but I’m learning to keep a more open mind, so wouldn’t rule it out.
