Cajun Canoe Microbox

Pirogue

Placed By: Silver Eagle
Date: 01/03/04
Nearest Town: Morgan City, LA
Parish: St. Mary
Terrain Difficulty: Easy (flat, 400 yards RT)
Status: reported missing (08/21/04)

Cajuns are the people who fled Acadia (Nova Scotia) in the 17th Century to settle in the bayous of southwestern Louisiana. To navigate the winding shallow swamps used as “roads” for both commerce and communication among themselves they used pirogues, or "Cajun canoes". The pirogue (pronounced 'pee-row') was first used in the year 1666. It is some what of a mystery how the pirogue got to Louisiana, but it has been there for centuries and became a part of the Cajun heritage. Originally the pirogue was called a dug-out, and made from large cypress logs, some measuring more than 12 feet in diameter. The cypress log was split down the middle, then the outside of the log was shaped to the builders liking using only an ax and an adze. After finishing the outside, it was turned over so that the insides could be "scooped" out with an adze and other chisels. In addition to this microbox you might get to see a real pirogue at Lake End Park, located on the beautiful banks of Lake Palourde. Amenities in the park include barbecue pits, picnic areas, bathhouse, laundry room, marina, a boat launch, a sand beach, one mile walking trail and canoe rentals.

Directions:

Morgan City is about 70 miles southwest of New Orleans via Hwy 90. To get to Lake End Park, exit Brashear Ave., turn right on Hwy 70 and the park will be on the right. At entrance station turn left, then right at the playground and park by the Cajun Concession Stand and restrooms.

Clues:

Walk south on the asphalt path following the lake on your left for about 125 yards, passing the marina on your left and the RV campground on your right. Turn left (south) and walk down a gravel road for about 75 yards, passing a pumping station on your right and arriving at a boat launch and dock. Facing the dock, look behind you among the debris piled up along the lake for a large cement cylinder and a smaller culvert behind it with a hole. Walk to the left side of the small culvert, walk into it and face the 1958 inscribed in its face above the hole. Look over the left side of the culvert to find the microbox hidden under several bricks. 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.

Return to Silver Eagle's Louisiana Letterboxes Page

Return to Silver Eagle's Letterboxing Aerie

Last updated on 08/22/2004

Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1