Acadian Flag Microbox

Acadian Flag Cajun Acadian Flag

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 01/01/04
Nearest Town: Lafayette, LA
Parish: Lafayette
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, 200 yards RT)
Status: reported missing (05/22/06)

Just after the turn of the 17th Century the French established a settlement in Acadia, what is now Nova Scotia in Canada. A series of wars between England and France eventually placed control of the colony in the hands of England in 1713. Unsurprisingly, the French settlers refused to sign a loyalty oath to the King of England and in 1755 the French farmers were expelled from their homes and cast adrift among the other British colonies in America. In what came to be called "Le Grand Derangement" (The Great Craziness), families were separated and forced onto ships under dreadful conditions and more than half lost their lives. Rejected at every turn because no preparations had been made to receive them, many of the Acadians eventually immigrated to Louisiana where they became known as Cajuns. The poorest of the poor, they settled along the bayous north and west of New Orleans and brought with them a diverse heritage, farming skills, a love of music and fun, and a determination to retain their language and culture. The original Acadian flag was established at the Second Acadian Convention in 1884 at Miscouche, Prince Edward Island and is used to represent Acadians worldwide. The "Cajun" Acadian flag was designed in 1965 by Dr. Thomas Arceneaux, of USL in Lafayette, to honor the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Acadians in Louisiana. On the flag are 3 symbols. The gold castle on the red field represents the Spanish kingdom, who allowed and even assisted the Acadians in settling their new homeland. The silver fleur-de-lis on the blue field represents their French heritage. The gold star on the white background respresents the Virgin Mary, patron saint of the Acadians. Louisiana made this flag the offical flag of the Acadiana area in 1974. Today you can enjoy a sample of Acadiana at Acadiana Park, a 110 acre facility in the northeastern corner of Lafayette, Louisiana. It contains the Nature Station and its accompanying 3+mile trail system, along with this microbox. As a bonus, the stamp is double-sided with both flags represented, but will look better if you bring red, blue and yellow ink.

Directions:

From I-10, take Exit 103-A (Hwy. 90-E or 167-S) towards Lafayette. Go to 2nd light (Willow Street) and turn left. Go to 2nd light (Louisiana Avenue) and turn left. Go to 1st light (Alexander Street) and turn right. Go to sign saying "Acadiana Park Campground and Nature Station" and turn left. Park at Nature Station trail head on right (across from campground attendant's house).

Clues:

Walk northeast on the trail until you come to a small wooden boardwalk. There will be a frisbee golf basket in the distance to your right. Continue on the trail across the boardwalk and walk 110 steps to a trail jct. just past a sign for frisbee hole #13. Turn right (south) and walk 65 steps to a wooden bridge, passing golf basket #15 on the left. Cross the bridge and walk 35 steps, bending to the left (southeast), toward golf basket #16. You should be in the middle of a clearing with basket #16 in the distance to your left and another uphill trail straight ahead of you. Head toward that trail for 15 steps as it starts to go uphill. Turn right (southwest) and walk 10 steps off trail to a small tree growing next to a medium tree. The microbox is between the trees under dirt, leaves and sticks. Please re-cover well.

NOTE: Always take adequate precautions (such as prodding with a stick and/or wearing gloves) before reaching into dark crevasses and holes in the wild. Before you set out read the waiver of responsibility and disclaimer.

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Last updated on 06/02/2006

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