A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting Cajun Pride Swamp Tours in LaPlace near New Orleans. I wasn’t dressed for a swamp tour but even in my shirt and tie I had a great time on the boat observing the magnificent beasts that call Louisiana swamps home.

The alligators wait for the swamp tour boats to arrive because the guides feed them marshmallows. Who knew marshmallows were a delicacy to gators?

I also enjoyed Cajun Pride because I was able to meet Mugsy, a cat who is an Internet sensation after a video surfaced of him scaring a large gator off the bank of the swamp.

Our swamps have long been famous but recently they have earned even more fame with the popularity of the History Channel show Swamp People. I enjoy the show because it shares the story of people who have lived off the swamp for centuries and those who still make their living in the beautiful bayous of Louisiana. The people of the bayou are as friendly as they are unique, and you don’t want to miss spending some time with these great folks.

I encourage you to get out there and see the beauty of Louisiana’s swamps and enjoy the prehistoric looking reptiles, the birds, cuddly critters like raccoons and nutria and maybe even some not-so-cuddly creatures.

Louisiana has plenty of swampland in the southern portion of the state, stretching from the Sabine River to the Pearl River there is a tour available for you and your family.