Into The Wind

A hearty “THANK YE” to all the Crew, Artisans, Restaurants, Riders and Visitors who attended, promoted & supported the 6th Annual NOLA Pyrate Week (and 2nd Annual Houma Pyrate Day) – a grand time was had by all!

The week started with our usual gathering at Pirates Alley Café – and our genial hosts Thais ‘La Reina del Callejón’ Solano and Tony ‘Mr. Cadillac’ Seville treating our ragged band o’ adventurers as if they were royalty! Thais & Tony have been strong supporters o’ both NOLA Pyrate Week AND those we seek to aid; this year making a generous donation to Keep Terrebonne Beautiful.

A stroll through St. Louis Cemeteries #1 & #2 with ‘Admiral’ Charles Duffy III (New Orleans Krewe Of Pirates – for which we were made ‘Captians” o’ the Great Lakes North Krewe!) uncovers some mysteries – and creates others – while the tomb o’ Pyrate Dominique Youx is easy to find in #2, the resting place o’ Pyrate& “Architect o’ New Orleans”, Barthelemy Lafon (in #1) is still a mystery; though we have an idea where it should be, there are many tombs uncared from and missing faceplates (with names). Lafon is a relation to Capt. Swallow – who also found many other relations to his family, including one which is linked to Lafon – Pépin (many Lafon ancestors were also dit Pépin). A cool drink at The Upper Quarter (where our Master Gunner, Mr. Irish, manages) wraps a fine day in the sun!

O’ course the highlight o’ the first weekend was the Pyrate Wedding o’ Ms. ‘Cherokee’ Jenny Dubs and Mr. Edward ‘Doc’ Maggio – both on the account from Long Island, New York! They and their jolly crew we’re joined by a fine group o’ Pyratical witnesses and the knot was tied by none other than QM Seika Hellbound! Musical accompaniment was kindly provided by members o’ The Whiskey Bay Rovers and Pirates Alley Café provided tasty treats and bountiful beverages!

In the week, we travelled to the Bayous o’ Barataria, to The Town Of Jean Lafitte (by invitation o’ third generation Mayor Timothy P. Kerner – charming fellow), to visit their new Museum & Wetlands Study Center. Accompanied by Thais, Tony & our crewmate Dawn ‘Sure Shot’ Carl (Geneologist, Historian & Photographer). A beautiful spot that is still growing (they are currently constructing a Visual Arts & Conference Center); we thoroughly enjoyed our visit – and discovered Jean Lafiitte…hiding in a Museum closet!