Author: Emily Gautreaux

The South’s Best Parks to Visit

With the weather turning to more favorable conditions, it’s never been more tempting to take in the wonderfully diverse scenery of the Southern United States, and with Southern Living’s expert curation of the eleven “South’s Best Parks 2021,” it’s also never been easier.

The full list serves as a home-grown bucket list of sorts with a well-researched collection of both the hidden and popular landscapes that show off the vast diversity of natural scenery found in the Southern states. Engage with nature in one of the most breath-taking settings around with the following Southern parks that hold both obvious testaments to nature’s beauty as well as subtle, nuanced reminders of the utter charm of Southern communities.

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

Just 25 miles outside of downtown Amarillo, TX lies the nation’s second-largest canyon and the state’s second-largest park, Palo Duro Canyon State Park. In this South’s Best Park, the canyon itself has been created by years of erosion from the Red River to form a chasm that is 800 feet in depth and ranges from six to 20 miles in width throughout the 120 miles of Texas High Plains. With that sheer expanse of land, there’s plenty of room for exploration by foot, mountain bike, horse, or car. Many visitors choose to stay close to the “South’s Grand Canyon” in one of its charmingly rustic “Cow Camp Cabins,” located on the floor of the canyon or atop one of the cabins located on the canyon’s upper rim. Either way, there’s no better vantage point to simply breathe and take in the rugged beauty of this charming piece of Texas history and terrain.

The park opens at 7:00 am and closes at 10:00 pm daily. For more information on visiting, go to  palodurocanyon.com.

Gulf State Park, Alabama

Located nearby the infamous beach towns of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach lies a coastal reserve of over 6,000 acres known as Gulf State Park. With two miles of beaches, 2,448 ft. of fishing space, three freshwater lakes, a nationally recognized scenic nature trail, beach pavilion, picnic area, and expansive, 496-site campground, this Alabama Gulfside treasure has something for everyone. Anglers can rest easy knowing that this State Park has the single largest pier in the Gulf of Mexico while also being Alabama’s only public pier in the Gulf. The sands of Gulf State Park’s beach are unmistakably white and often quiet, making it the ideal site of your next station of relaxation. Though, if you wish to be more active, the park is home to the 900-acre Lake Shelby which is ideal for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing.

The park’s trails and picnic areas are open from sunrise to sunset. For more information on visiting, go to alapark.com.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

This South’s Best Park is the park for those wanting to explore a Southern mountain that’s bound to take their breath away, then look no further than the 200,000-acre breadth of protected land that is only 75 miles from the metropolis of Washington DC. The natural land itself is home to deer, songbirds, and black bears while also providing visitors with spectacular vistas, isolated wooded enclosures, cascading waterfalls, and fields upon fields of vibrant wildflowers. Shenandoah is a perfect spot for the casual or adventurous hikers who are interested in trekking to the top of Bearfence Mountain or the Hawksbill Summit Trail for an unforgettable 360° view or even a family trek down a less-intimidating day hike along the Dark Hollow Falls Trail. Though, if visiting, be sure to especially seek out the Cedar Run Falls, which is a skinny waterfall that’s carved into a steep chute from surrounding rock, making it the ideal swimming hole to dive into, rounding out a day of exhaustive hiking.

Shenandoah National Park is always open, Skyline Drive, the only public road through the Park, is periodically closed. For more information on visiting, call (540) 999-3500.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.

 

Louisiana Coastal Restoration Efforts Gain Support

After a recent environmental impact statement was publicly released by the Army Corps of Engineers, more and more support has accumulated for the Louisiana Coastal restoration efforts, specifically Louisiana’s Mississippi River Delta, according to an article from Biz New Orleans.

This drafted version of the Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) was released for a period of public review and comment, allowing for individuals and organizations to speak up and engage in the ongoing restoration efforts. The DEIS proposes that a sediment diversion is to be placed throughout a portion of the Mississippi River and its tributaries, extending into the Mid-Barataria Basin in Plaquemines Parish.

The Barataria Basin is currently experiencing one of the highest land loss rates in the world, and if approved, this sediment diversion could assist in the rebuilding and maintaining of tens of thousands of acres of land in the Plaquemines Parish area.

One group advocating for the implementation of the sediment diversion as a part of the Louisiana Coastal Master Planproject is “Restore the Mississippi River Delta,” which is a coalition of the National Audubon Society, Environmental Defence Fund, Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, and the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation. The coalition refers to the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion as Louisiana’s “best shot” to turn the tide on the state’s coastal land loss.

Between 1932 and 2016, the Barataria Basin has lost approximately 295,000 acres of land, making its land loss rate among the highest worldwide. A loss of land on this massive scale affects more than just maps of the region, as it displaces entire communities, threatens essential infrastructure and associated jobs, and completely destroys an iconic wildlife habitat that was once abundant and diverse.

The coalition’s campaign director Steve Cochran spoke of the immediacy of the proposal by saying, “unless we act now, we risk losing it all. The future of our entire region is at stake. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion will build more wetlands than any other individual restoration project in the world, in an area experiencing some of the highest land loss rates on the planet. If our region is to have a fighting chance against land loss, hurricanes, and sea-level rise, we must put the muddy Mississippi back to work to rebuild our coast.”

The full Draft Environmental Impact Statement, released by The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), consists of over 5000 pages, 10 chapters, and 20 appendices, detailing just how the proposed project could help to restore Louisiana’s coast. The full DEIS can be found on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ website.

David Muth is the director of the National Wildlife Federation’s Gulf Program, which is a part of the “Restore the Mississippi River Delta” coalition, and he’s called for immediate action to be taken. Muth spoke of the importance saying, “Louisiana’s unparalleled coastal habitat is at risk of near-complete collapse in the face of climate change-driven sea-level rise. The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion, perhaps more than any other project now planned, is vital to the long-term health of our wildlife and fisheries resources. We are finally beginning to address the serious challenges we face at an appropriate scale, using the right tool — the river. If we act now, we can remain a world-renowned Sportsman’s Paradise.”

Louisiana’s iconic coast is home to over 2 million people, a provider of nearly 30 percent of the commercial fishing landings of the United States, and a producer of 90 percent of the country’s outer continental oil and gas. These statistics and plenty more released in the DEIS denote that the time to implement coastal restoration efforts is sooner- rather than later.

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.

This Spring’s Top Cities for Outdoor Activities

It’s hard to overstate the benefits of outdoor activities in 2021, but with the spring solstice finally past, it might be a good idea to plan your Spring vacation around one of TravelPulse’s “Best U.S. Cities for Outdoor Activities.”

The data comes from a study conducted by LawnStarter, a national lawn care provider that also conducts in-depth, location-based studies. The study compared the 200 largest cities in the United States across 17 key analytics metrics, which ranged from the number of publicly-available trails, campsites, and gardens to the springtime rainfall percentages and amount of sunshine received.

It all resulted in an extensive ranking of all 200 cities, which details the location’s rank in outdoor activities, visitor friendliness, and spring climate. Outside of the objective rankings, many unique facts were learned about the studied cities such as Washington D.C. being the nation’s “most walkable” city or Metairie, Louisiana hosting the second-rainiest spring season in the entire United States.

Top 20 of the Best Cities for Outdoor Activities in Spring 2021

  1. San Francisco, California
  2. Portland, Oregon
  3. Honolulu, Hawaii
  4. Mesa, Arizona
  5. Washington D.C.
  6. Tucson, Arizona
  7. Los Angeles, California
  8. Long Beach, California
  9. Huntington Beach, California
  10. Las Vegas, Nevada
  11. Lincoln, Nebraska
  12. Salt Lake City, Utah
  13. New York City, New York
  14. Seattle, Washington
  15. Oakland, California
  16. Tempe, Arizona
  17. Fort Collins, Colorado
  18. Miami, Florida
  19. Riverside, California
  20. Lexington, Kentucky

#1 San Francisco, California

The Golden City tops off the list with its high-ranking walkability score, as the west coast city is known for its high number of public trails, outdoor vendors, and bicycle paths. Besides the truly iconic Golden Gate Bridge, visitors should take a leisurely cruise on the San Francisco Bay by way of an Alcatraz ferry ride, sailboat, or powerboat excursion. Though, if the water’s not your thing, then simply go for an outdoor foray into the hidden, idyllic Muir Woodsand its ancient, towering Coastal Redwoods. Alternatively, hike to the top of Mt. Tamalpais to see the famed city from a picturesque viewpoint or try out horseback riding on one of the winding trails of Fort Funston.

#2 Portland, Oregon

This delightfully unique gem of the Pacific Northwest boasts some of the most decadent gardens publicly-accessible in the country. If visiting the city in the Spring months, be sure to make it a point to check out the Portland International Rose Garden, Japanese Garden, Lan Su Chinese Garden, or the Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden for some of the most unforgettable plantlife, sculptures, and scenery around. In a similar vein, Portland abounds with parks for you to walk, bike, or hike; Washington Park, Forest Park, Mount Tabor Park, and Silver Falls State Park are just four that come to mind in terms of postcard-worthiness.

#3 Honolulu, Hawaii

Admittedly, this one might seem like a no-brainer, but Spring may just be the optimal season to visit Hawaii instead of Summer. This is due to its optimal weather ranging from 70ºF to 79º, beating not only the Summer heat but the crowd as well. Spring also has a bountiful supply of indigenous and non-native plants blooming in Honolulu’s various rainforests and gardens, such as Oahu’s Foster Botanical Garden, featuring trees planted as early as the 1850s.Outside of weather and scenery, springtime in Honolulu means that it’s time for the seasonal visits from Humpback whales on the southern shores of Oahu. Honestly, where else can you whale watch in April?

Always be sure to check with the latest CDC-recommended travel guidance before traveling to any of the notable cities listed in the full data set.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.

 

Simple Cajun Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo Pasta

The classic shrimp fettuccine alfredo pasta is a recipe all chefs should hold in their back pocket. It can be whipped up in less than an hour with store-bought ingredients, or it can be meticulously perfected when making your sauce from scratch. Either way, this recipe from Closet Cooking is your best bet to make a restaurant-grade pasta dish from the comfort of your kitchen.

The benefits of preparing this meal from home coincide with the control you have over the spice levels of your pasta, depending on you and your guests’ preference. This recipe specifically adds a twist to the Italian classic by way of cajun or creole seasoning (think Tony Chachere’s) and the blackening approach to sautéing the shrimp.

Ingredients for Shrimp Fettuccine Alfredo:

  • 8 ounces of fettuccine or your favorite pasta
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 point of shrimp (peeled and deveined)
  • 1 tablespoon of cajun seasoning
  • 2 cloves garlic (chopped)
  • 1/4 cup dry white wine or chicken broth
  • 1 cup heavy/whipping cream
  • 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan), grated
  • 1/2 tablespoon cajun seasoning or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon of olive oil
  • ½ tablespoon of salt
  • 1/4 cup green onion, sliced (optional)

Directions:

  1. In a medium-sized skillet or stovetop pan, melt your butter over medium-high heat. Once it’s completely melted and spread around the pan, you’ll dip your peeled and deveined shrimp into a small bowl of your cajun seasoning and then place them in the pan to brown. Cook the shrimp for at least 3 minutes on each side. Afterward, remove them from the pan, setting them aside.
  2. With a metal spoon or similar cooking utensil, scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan, and add your chopped garlic, sautéing the garlic until it’s fragrant. The process should take approximately 30 seconds.
  3. While you’re sautéing the above ingredients, fill a large-sized pot with water and place it on a nearby burner. Sprinkle a ½ tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil into the water to keep the noodles from sticking. Bring this to a boil for approximately 8-13 minutes, removing the pasta once it’s “al dente” (tender, but firm).
  4. Poor in your dry white wine to deglaze the pan with the garlic. Then, add in your heavy cream, parmesan, and leftover cajun seasoning until it all begins to thicken up a bit, usually about 3-5 minutes.
  5. Once it’s a heftier thickness, toss your cooked pasta into the Alfredo sauce, getting the pasta covered. Then, add your shrimp, and combine it all.
  6. Then you’re done! Plate your cajun shrimp fettuccine alfredo, and garnish each with chopped green onions. Enjoy!

Notes:

  • Feel free to substitute the fettuccine pasta for a gluten-free alternative or another type of pasta, depending on your texture preference. Typically other types of long pasta such as spaghetti or vermicelli tend to work best at absorbing the sauce.
  • Of course, the fresher your Parmigiano Reggiano (parmesan) and green onions are, the better. This is becausefreshly-grated parmesan cheese will melt more evenly and cleanly than a pre-shredded kind.
  • Ensure that you are cooking your creamy pasta sauce over low heat while never letting it come to a boil. This is to prevent the ingredients or excess oils from separating.
  • Each piece of shrimp should take no longer than 3-4 minutes to cook if using the uncooked kind from the store that has a greyish coloration.

All in all, this is a perfect dish to have at the ready for the upcoming warmer months, as it doesn’t require a lot of time spent over the hot stove, and it’s hearty enough for those with bigger, more-demanding appetites.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Louisiana School Districts Awarded Fast Forward Initiative Grants

According to a Louisiana DOE press release, eight Louisiana school districts  have received $50,000 in grant money to increase the number of high school graduates earning associate’s degrees or taking part in apprenticeship programs before graduation.

As discussed in an earlier January 2021 blog post, the Fast Forward Initiative was first announced during a joint meeting between the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) and the Board of Regents last December. Since then the initiative has gone on to receive resounding support from both boards, the Dual Enrollment Task Force, and the Louisiana Legislature.

The Louisiana Department of Education released applications for the Fast Forward Initiative this past January for planning grants to be awarded to a region’s lead secondary school system and its higher education partner from each of Louisiana’s eight BESE districts. The total grant cost came to a total of $400,000, with The Department of Education and Board of Regents splitting the cost.

As announced in March 2021, the recipients of the Fast Forward Regional Planning Grants are:

After receiving the $50,000 grant, each school district will collaborate with postsecondary institutions, business partners, and economic development organizations to increase the number of Louisiana graduates earning a Jump Start TOPS Tech Career Diploma or a TOPS University Diploma while simultaneously participating in a high-demand apprenticeship opportunity or earning an associate’s degree, a much-valued resource.

According to 2019 graduation cohort data, only 0.0037% of Louisiana High School graduates earned both an associate’s degree and high school diploma upon graduation, despite a spike in Louisiana School Systems offering associate’s degree programs at the high school level. This is unfortunate because the program comes at no cost to those participating, thus resulting in the Louisiana associate’s degree becoming a vastly underutilized resource.

The average associate’s degree program is earned over two years from a post-secondary institution with students earning 60 semester-credits per program. Though, many institutions offer these degrees on an accelerated program,benefiting students wanting to pursue their education while also working a job or raising a family.

In addition to this flexibility, those earning an associate’s degree in Louisiana also qualify to continue education as a part of a 2+2 program (or Louisiana Transfer Degree), in which students then transfer to another college or university for two additional years, thus earning a bachelor’s degree.

According to the National Center for Higher Education Management (NCHEMS), the average annual pay for Louisiana Jobs requiring an Associate’s Degree is $39,157 a year, ranking 37th in the nation. Additionally, the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce foresees at least 55% of open jobs in Louisiana requiring some type of career credential or college degree soon.

Because of this increased demand for a qualified, degree-holding Louisiana workforce, it’s imperative that Louisiana graduates take advantage of the Fast Forward initiative. If they complete the program, they will have a beneficial advantage over other future applicants in the increasingly more competitive Louisiana job market.

Dr. Cade Brumley, Louisiana’s Superintendent of Education, commented on the value of the program saying, “ we must be intentional in connecting students to their lives beyond high school graduation. By further personalizing the high school experience, we will better prepare students and be responsive to the needs of our communities and state.”I’m both excited and thankful for the relationships being developed between PK-12, higher education and the workforce. This initial opportunity holds promise to improve Louisiana as a whole in the long term.”

For more education-related information, click here.

 

Five Can’t-Miss Roadside Attractions for Your Next Road Trip

Once you embark on the great American Road Trip, it’s important to not only make pit-stops out of necessity but you should also plan to “stretch your legs” at some truly unforgettable roadside attractions, like these that were curated by Country Living.

Road trips are an undeniable travel resource that allows you to get to your desired destination at your own pace. Sure, you may have a set window in which you should arrive at Point B, but it’s in the transitional aspects of transit that the truest memories are forged. However, it’s not likely that you’ll select gas station #8 to reminisce about once it’s all said and done. This is exactly why every roadtripper should make it a point to include at least one of the following roadside spectacles on that travel itinerary on their next cross-country voyage. As always, be sure to check recent CDC recommendations and travel restrictions before you pack up the car.

Lucy the Elephant

Standing guard in front of Margate, New Jersey is a 65 ft. tall elephant statue named Lucy. Since being built in 1881,Lucy has served as a spectacle and tourist attraction, tavern house, summer residence, and she is the 12th tallest statue in the United States as well as the oldest surviving roadside tourist attraction in America. In fact, Lucy became an official National Historic Landmark in 1976, joining the ranks of such notable United States Landmarks as the Hoover Dam and Statue of Liberty, and not only can you visit Lucy, but for a small fee, you could even take a guided tour through the gigantic architectural marvel yourself! 

Prada Marfa

Despite its name, this bizarre art project that resembles a Prada boutique stands isolated in Valentine, Texas. Created in 2005, this permanent land art project was a co-production between Ballroom Marfa and the Art Production Fund, and it stands as a testament to pop art, fashion, and baffling juxtaposition. While you can’t enter the shop and peruse the luxury goods from Prada’s 2005 fall collection at this roadside attraction, Prada Marfa will make any picture in which it’s in the background truly unforgettable.

The Parthenon

You know the saying, if you can’t make it to Greece, Nashville’s the next best thing! Proudly located as the centerpiece of Nashville, Tennessee’s premier urban park, Centennial Park, is this full-scale replica of the Athens original. Inside the structure, the architectural focus is on a 42-foot statue of the goddess Athena, just as the original Parthenon.  In addition to this architectural feat, the Parthenon also serves as Nashville’s art museum, housing a permanent installation of 63 paintings by 19th and 20th-century artists. Be sure to add this to your list of roadside attractions if you are passing near the area.

World’s Largest Mailbox

Don’t trust a roadside attraction list if it doesn’t feature a notorious “World’s Largest” entry. This mailbox stands over 5,700 ft. high, overlooking Casey, Illinois where more “World’s Largest” attractions can be found. Though the mailbox holds one of the nine Guinness World Records for “largest things in the world,” but to receive that honor, it needed to be fully functional. So, guests are invited to visit the mailbox, climb the staircase, send a letter of their own, and raise the red flag to signal a mail carrier to deliver it. This attraction is a no-brainer when it comes to a possible photo opportunity, as it’s a perfect sight from the ground-level or within its metal structure.

Carhenge

Rounding out the list is a reliable roadside attraction with an appeal that’s immediately understandable; it’s a replica of the world-famous Stonehenge, but it’s constructed with cars instead of stones. This truly unique sight was constructed in 1987, and it’s open to the public for free during the daylight hours in Alliance, Nebraska.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.