Fontainebleau State Park Archives - Tamanend LA

Getting Down to Fun

Tamanend LA — Fri, 28 Oct 2022 14:30:16 +0000

Veterans Day Weekend always has many opportunities to celebrate and honor veterans on the Northshore. For 2022, you also have three fantastic events, perhaps treating a veteran to one of them!

It’s Going Down

First up is the inaugural Krewe Du Roux Gumbo Cook-off and Family Fest, happening November 12, at the Fontainebleau State Park. Who will go down as the winning gumbo creator? In addition to the cook-off, you will enjoy live music, gumbo tasting, family photo booths and carnival games. Admission is $15 at the gate or $10 in advance, which includes park entrance fee and two food or beverage tickets. All proceeds benefit Next Generation Clubs, a student lunch club at junior and senior high school campuses in Louisiana. For more details about the Krewe Du Roux Gumbo Cook-off and Family Fest, click here.

Come see adorable dogs walk the catwalk at the Mutts to Models event.

Dogs Down the Catwalk

If you love to see four-legged friends strut their stuff, you won’t want to miss this year’s Mutts to Models Charity Gala on Saturday, November 12, 6:30 p.m., at Mercedes-Benz of Covington. Cocktails, runway show, silent auction, dancing and more will be enjoyed, along with a jazzy after-party. The runway will include local celebrities, athletes, veterans and other heroes, along with their own dogs or adoptable shelter dogs down the “cat” walk. Honored guests include veterans and combat assault dogs. Tickets are $250, with proceeds benefiting pet-oriented charities. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit here.

Art Down the Street

The Three Rivers Art Festival, back for its 26th year, takes place on Saturday and Sunday, November 12 and 13, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. This is one of the largest juried art festivals in the region and most popular events on the Northshore, with shopping, entertainment, and of course, art! The festival takes over Columbia Street in Covington, where you will be able to experience one-of-a-kind pieces, including paintings, photography, sculptures and jewelry. Plus, lots of eating options and kids’ activities. If you are looking for a fantastic way to spend the day for the entire family, the Three Rivers Art Festival is it. And, admission is free! For more details, click here.

We salute our St. Tammany Parish veterans, this weekend and all year long!

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Mandeville is a First for Me

Tamanend LA — Fri, 30 Apr 2021 20:49:38 +0000

The first town I visited when I ventured outside New Orleans was Mandeville, and it was love at first bite. My feelings for this magical town haven’t changed. I recently had a few extra hours one day, so I headed over to one of my favorite spots.

First-Place Food

When you see this artwork on the outside, you just know it’s going to have good food on the inside!

I am not a big breakfast fan (bring on the cheeseburger), however whenever I do eat in the a.m., I like to indulge in a delicious meal at a real diner. Liz’s Where Y’at Diner is more than a diner; it is an experience. Lucky for my hunger pangs, the line to get in was short that day. I have eaten at Liz’s place many times, so I have become pretty familiar with the menu. While I was tempted to try the roast beef “debris” gravy, I chose to dive into the Nawlins’ Benedict, with fried green tomatoes, crabmeat, asparagus and all kinds of deliciousness. Like all my meals before, this one did not disappoint. Are your taste buds calling yet?

On Second Thought

After that whammy of a breakfast, I had to walk off some of those calories. I thought about hitting the quaint downtown shops. However, the weather was just perfect, so I immediately headed for the lakefront to Fontainebleau State Park. The park is known for its vast size and variety of activity options (did someone say Glamping?). While I have done the five-mile hike before, this time I opted for the nature trail, which is a little over one mile. One of the park guides mentioned the 90-minute hikes they hold every Sunday at 9:30 a.m. The hike is hosted by an Interpretive Guide (that sounds fancy), and hikers are even provided binoculars to enhance the experience. I am planning a return visit on a Sunday very soon. Perhaps I am more of a nature lover than originally thought!

Honorable Mention

Speaking of Mandeville, the Old Mandeville Historic Association is hosting a virtual tour of homes, beginning May 9 and running until the end of June. On your online tour, you will experience four magnificent homes, each with amazing architecture, art collections, furnishings and landscaping. It’s a celebration of the cultural and architectural heritage of Mandeville and its historic preservation. The cost is $25, with proceeds benefitting schools and ongoing rehabilitation of the Jean Baptiste Lang House.

Check back in next time to read about how I spent the rest of my day. Let’s just say more food was involved!

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Park It Here in St. Tammany Parish

Tamanend LA — Mon, 27 Jul 2020 18:06:02 +0000

We all know the coronavirus has taken its toll on so many things this year. Being able to socially distance is more important than ever, so I have three park recommendations to enjoy the great outdoors in St. Tammany Parish.

Park #1 – Fontainebleau State Park

This photo of the Fontainebleau Pier is so beautiful, it almost looks like a painting!

If you are looking for amazing sights while getting in some exercise, Fontainebleau is the place to be. The park is named after a recreation area near Paris beloved by the founder of Mandeville. Located along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain, the 2,800-acre Fontainebleau offers plenty of activities for the entire family. We enjoyed a five-mile hike, which ended up taking a bit longer than usual due to our frequent stops to enjoy the sights and sounds of birds, flora and a few critters. The interpretive signs helped expand our nature knowledge. We ended the day watching the sun set over the pier. While we didn’t indulge, there are cabins and campsites to stay overnight. I have heard the stars are fabulous!

Park #2 – Fairview-Riverside State Park

Last weekend we were in search of the perfect picnic spot, and we instantly thought of Fairview-Riverside. Situated in Madisonville, the park features the beautiful Otis House (closed temporarily due to covid), fishing, hiking and of course, just the right spot for picnics. There are plenty of tables, however we decided to do it the old-fashioned way and spread out a blanket. Was the temperature above 90 degrees that day? Yes. Was enjoying phone-free time with our teenagers fishing (we released the one baby fish caught) worth it? Definitely.

Park #3 – Camp Salmen Nature Park

Now if you really want to call yourself a nature lover, spend a few hours at Camp Salmen in Slidell. With over three miles of trails to explore, the park boasts an incredible array of indigenous flowers, plants and trees. And yes, you will see animals, including some slithery creatures! This place is true Louisiana, ranging from flatwoods to swampland.

All three parks offer enjoyment for the entire family. You may even learn more than you desired, such as the variety of toads in Louisiana. I do love nature, but frogs not so much!

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Three Site Sights for Sightseekers

Tamanend LA — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 02:02:07 +0000

With the hot days of summer winding down, now is the perfect time to experience some really cool things without leaving the Parish. Receiving recommendations from locals all over St. Tammany, here are my suggestions for three memorable sights that basically scream Louisiana.

Site Sight #1 – Cabin Fever

Right on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, beyond the city lights of New Orleans, you can become one with nature at Fontainebleau State Park. Spread over 2,800 acres, this nature lover’s paradise features recreation of all sorts. Whether you want to hike, bike, kayak, birdwatch or just laze on the sandy beach, this park has it all and more. For around $150 per night, you and your family can extend that fun with a stay in a fully furnished cabin. Much to my delight, these cabins are actually quite cozy and well-kept. Hanging out on the porch at night telling ghost stories just added to the thought of what was in those woods. Remember to bring your own S’mores’ ingredients!

Site Sight #2 – Louisiana’s Version of Ripley’s Believe It or Not

When describing the Abita Mystery House, quirky does not seem adequate. It is truly a case of you have to see it to believe it. Located in Abita Springs, this part museum, part weirdness, part art and part junk is in my book for top state tacky attraction. Besides all this, you will see a dogigator (no misspelling here; that’s what they call it) and miniature recreations of Louisiana points of history. Just stop here and see this place, then hop over to Abita Brew Pub to discuss with your cohorts what you just experienced. Trust me, everyone will have a different answer.

Site Sight #3 – Swamp Things

I didn’t say, “We need a bigger boat.” I said “We need a smaller gator.”

My last recommendation for cool things to do is go on a swamp tour. If you would have told me I would one, go on a tour and two, enjoy it, I would have said you were right about the first part. I took this tour on a dare, as I am not a fan of alligators or any reptile for that matter. There were plenty of the creatures and quite a few sights I would rather forget, however I did see a lot of beautiful birds. So why am I recommending this? Like me, you can say you did it once. Shout out to the Honey Island Swamp Tour guides for keeping me calm.

St. Tammany Parish has a plethora of outstanding recreation, restaurants, museums and architecture. Add in these three unique sights, and you can say, “I have now just about seen it all.”

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