Gulf Coast Vacation

Bob and I recently went on a wonderful vacation to the panhandle of Florida. We wanted to celebrate – both our 21^st wedding anniversary as well as our new status as “empty-nesters.”

I’d never been to this part of the country before. As a child growing up in Pennsylvania, our beach excursions were limited to the east coast. In my free and easy 20s, I made numerous trips to the Bahamas and other such islands. Since moving to southwest Louisiana, I’ve certainly heard much about the gulf coast, and the myriad of places one can go. Who from here doesn’t vacation in Destin, Florida? I wanted to see for myself what all the fuss is about. Could the beaches in Florida truly be that much better than closer Mississippi and Alabama?

Much to my surprise, I think the answer is yes. At least during the week we were there. To find out, we drove the back roads of Highway 90 between Gulfport, MS and Ft. Walton, FL, stopping here and there along the way to see the sights, enjoy a fresh peach milkshake, and check out the seashore. In Gulfport, the water was a rusty brown color with patches of tar residue on the sand. But farther east, away from that mighty muddy Mississippi River, the ocean becomes an azure turquoise, the “Emerald Coast,” its sand as white and fine as talcum powder. Why travel to the Caribbean when we have all this a mere handful of hours east?

 

I will say that, while the crowded hubbub and commercialization of Destin seems to be THE happenin’ place to go based on popular vacation choices, and there are fantastic restaurants there, (and putt-putt), Bob and I much preferred the peaceful less-populated beaches in and around the Pensacola area, especially Gulf Islands National Seashore.

 

Over the next few weeks, I’ll report on several interesting places we visited on our trip.

What is your favorite beach destination and why?

Saint Arnold's Brewery, Houston

Three things define a craft brewery. 1. The brewery can produce no more than 6 million barrels annually. 2. The brewery must be independently owned. 3. No corn or rice can be used in the process.

I learned all this during a recent tour of St. Arnold’s Brewery in Houston, Texas. 

When you enter the brewery, you are greeted by this image of St. Arnold, who is the patron saint of breweries. Way back in the late 500’s A.D., St. Arnold discovered that people who drank beer were healthier than people who drank only water. The fact that the water was contaminated with sewage may have had something to do with that, but nonetheless, dear Arnold encouraged people to imbibe liberally.

After you greet St. Arnold, you walk upstairs, and for an $8.00 fee, you receive four tokens, redeemable for four full-size samples of their beers, a souvenir glass, and an informative and entertaining tour of the brewery. (Good deal, in my estimation!) I don’t know if it is always this busy, but on the day I was there, the place was packed!

While you are sipping beer and waiting for your tour, peruse the murals on the wall, humorously depicting St. Arnold during the beer making process.

So, this is what I learned on the tour. St. Arnold’s Brewing Company is nineteen years old and is the oldest craft brewery in Texas. Which goes to show craft beers haven't been around all that long. They produce about 50,000 barrels a year, which sounds like a lot, but actually, it’s a small brewery. They focus on quality.

First, barley is malted – they stir it, dry it, roast it (levels of roasting determines flavor). Then crush it and mix with water at 150 degrees, called a mash. This converts the starch to sugar. Then they separate the liquid from the solids and send the solids to pig farmers and compost folks. They boil the liquid and add various types of hops at various points in the brew process. This also determines flavor. The mixture is sent to a whirlpool, spinning out particulates. Then the liquid is cooled. Next step is to add yeast, to begin the fermentation process. But what kind of yeast? Well, is it an ale or a lager? The difference (I did not know this prior to the tour) is that ales use yeasts which ferment at warmer temperatures and lagers use yeasts which ferment at much cooler temperatures, giving the beer a crisp clean finish.

During fermentation, the yeast eats the sugar, creating CO2 and alcohol. The beer is filtered and packaged into either kegs or bottles. And kept cold at all times, both while stored and shipped. And hopefully at the store. And certainly at your home. And never ever use a frosty mug! Craft beer, while chilled, should not be consumed at an overly cold temperature for best flavor.

I’m pretty picky when it comes to beers. I prefer a sweeter dark beer. My favorites at St. Arnold’s were Santo and Brown Ale. What’s your favorite beer?

New Places to Eat in Lake Charles

Here in southwest Louisiana, we get pretty excited when there’s a new place to eat. I’ve tried two new restaurants recently.

First, there’s a new wiener shop in town on South Pujo St. called Botsky’s.

 

If you live in Lake Charles, you’ve probably already been there.  I’ve never been a big fan of hot dogs, but seriously, everyone has been raving about this place. They offer all types of crazy dogs (buffalo, alligator?) and even more unique and exciting toppings to choose from. Like Subway for gourmet hot dogs.

This guy was very patient while we placed our order. With a menu like that, it’s hard to decide!

 

I am often an adventurous eater, but on my recent visit (probably my one and only, not because it wasn't good, but because I generally don't eat hot dogs) I went the safe route and ordered a kid-sized turkey dog with olive salad and mustard. Bob had some sort of brat with Cajun kraut (very spicy, naturally). And the fries were very good.

 

They also have a good selection of beers on tap.

 

AND, I am thrilled to announce, after waiting six long years (since I’ve lived here), Lake Charles finally has a Panera Bread!

 

They plunked it down on Nelson Rd right beside the 210 Highway. I can’t believe such a perfect spot was still available. The place has been a madhouse since it opened close to a week ago. (I’ve been there twice already.)

In Pittsburgh, Panera is all over the city. Every neighborhood has one. And I got rather used to them when I lived there. It’s the place all the moms would meet after dropping the kids on the first day of school. My writer friends and I would meet there for coffee and critiques. I could go there and kill time with a good book or the newspaper. It’s comfortable, they play nice music, and the food is good. I love their bagels, soups, sandwiches, and salads. Love the hazelnut coffee. So, yeah, I’m pretty excited that we finally have one in Lake Charles.



 

On Becoming Empty-Nesters

So, we returned yesterday from Dallas after depositing son number two (he’s six minutes younger) at the University of Texas at Dallas. We took his brother to Southeastern Louisiana University the week prior. And suddenly, after 18+ years of raising our twin sons, we are the proverbial empty-nesters.

I remember the day Bob and I brought the boys home from the hospital. We set them on the floor of the living room in their little car seats. We sat on the couch and looked at these two newborns. And we felt an overwhelming sense of Okay, what do we do now? If my mom hadn't been there to help, we might still be sitting on that couch, trying to figure out this parenting thing.

Returning home from Dallas was a similar emotion. We walked into the house. The empty house. And we wondered – What do we do?

“Just you and me now, babe.”

“Yep, that’s it.”

The boys have become young adults. Our job as parents is essentially over. Did we teach them enough? Did we love and nurture enough? Can we remember how to simply be spouses, without the parental component? What do we do now?

Well, we’re not going to Disney World. But we are excited about the prospect of having the time to travel, explore, and discover -- just the two of us. We’re looking forward to all sorts of outings, weekend trips, vacations, and sailing excursions.

There’s no doubt about it. We’re going to miss those boys like crazy. Thanksgiving can’t come fast enough. It’s an uncertain time of transition at our house. I’m not sure yet how I feel about it. There’s a bittersweet mix of sadness and excitement. I don’t know exactly what it looks like, but knowing Bob and me, whatever we do, it will be an adventure.

The Green Pea, Lake Arthur, LA

Lake Arthur is one of my favorite little Louisiana towns. I’ve been there several times: to kayak, take the boys to the beach, or simply for an ice cream cone. I LOVE the LA Regatta Restaurant. Eric and I enjoyed a delightful lunch there, then had ice cream for dessert at Sugar Chic, a sweet bakery/ice cream shop. You can read about the time I took my sons and a friend to Lake Arthur here (FYI: LA Scoops is now closed) and the time I went on a night paddle in Lake Arthur here.

When I was asked to write a story on a little art studio in Lake Arthur this week, I jumped at the chance to head southeast to this quaint village nestled on the Mermentou River.

 

Chris Zaunbrecher opened The Green Pea four years ago. It was a live-long dream of hers come true. In her quaint boutique-style studio, she teaches art classes, hosts birthday parties and art camps for kids, and encourages timid painters to draw out their creative natures and express themselves. She also teaches art at Moss Bluff Middle School.

 

To learn more about Chris and The Green Pea, find the studio on Facebook and read my story in the August 15th issue of The Louisiana Jam.

Foot Surgery Recovery, Post-Op One Month, Three Days

Went back to the doctor today. They took some x-rays of my left foot, and I. Am. Out. Of. The. Boot!! Oh, happy day. The doctor says it looks good and has healed well.

I have to wear supportive tennis shoes for the next month. No bare feet or flip flops for at least that long. And I can now get back to the gym! Maybe the stationary bike, to start. "Slowly at first," he said. "Until you see how it feels." I will be there tomorrow!

I was so excited upon leaving the doctor's office, I celebrated by going to Orange Leaf Fro-Yo. You can read about how much I love that place here. (This was a post from a couple years ago, before they opened the Nelson Rd. shop in Lake Charles.) I love that stuff!

As eager as I was to lose the cumbersome clunky straight jacket for feet, I admit, I was a tad apprehensive at the thought of walking on my still-recovering foot without the boot. I imagined my foot to be fragile. That it might break if I stepped on it. Or that it would hurt. But it didn't. Though it does feel awkward. Like my foot doesn't know what to think, not having to lug that weight around. It's certainly a period of transition, but also an incredible feeling of freedom. What a relief!

Thank you, Dr. Tyson Green. You made my day.

Saying Thanks for a Stranger's Kindness

Acts of kindness are rarely forgotten.

Four years ago, a stranger heard about Eric's plight in Texas Children's Hospital from our mutual friends Sara and Mark Judson. This dear woman, from an established family in Lake Charles, had never heard of the Dilmores, let alone met us. We were relatively new in town at the time. And yet, she offered to allow us to stay in her beautifully furnished but unoccupied apartment near the hospital. We didn't go there often -- we rarely wanted to leave Eric's bedside. But it was available when we needed a retreat, a break, or a comfortable place to get a night's sleep. When my mom and sisters came to visit Eric and us in the hospital, the apartment provided a comfortable place where we could relax and decompress. And sleep. Noni Shearman was a blessing to us in ways she never knew.

Last Friday night, at an art exhibit at her new venture called Art Interest, I had the opportunity to meet Noni and finally thank her in person. She is just as sweet as I imagined her to be. She barely recalled the circumstances of her gift, but Noni and her generosity have been dear to my heart these past four years. It was a joy and pleasure to meet her and express my gratitude.

Like many of us in Lake Charles, Noni loves the arts. She recently opened Art Interest at 1322 Ryan St. She hosts classes for all types of art work, from pottery and mosaics to painting, glasswork, amd more. She will also host art exhibits. Find Noni and Art Interest on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Art-Interest/302077053252829

And thank you again, Noni.