We had read about Betty's RV Park in Abbeville, Louisiana, in the heart of Cajun Country, so we called Betty Bernard and asked if we could stay with her. She said to come on in and we could have a full hookup site two days and then boondock in her side yard. Betty greeted us and got us settled, then invited us to her back porch to meet the other campers. Morning, afternoon and night, there is always someone sitting and talking on the back porch. She is a single retired lady with a bundle of energy. She is owner, operator, tour guide, activities director, information center, cook, maintenance person and mother hen. Betty took an early retirement at age 53 and continued traveling as she had done during her working days, but there was something missing. She loves to meet people and she decided the best way was to stay home and invite people to visit her. In July 1999, she opened a campground in her side yard with four campsites and later expanded to nine full hook-up sites, one partial hook-up site and she has room to boondock three rigs.

Staying at Betty's is not camping, it is an experience, much like a Bed and Breakfast. She has daily socials on her back porch and pot-lucks. One pot-luck was truly interesting. Many of the people staying in her park were either Cajun or have lived in southern Louisiana many years. Each couple cooked their specialty and nothing was store bought. Betty fixed dirty rice with crawfish, sausage and other ingredients she will not reveal. One couple brought cooked cabbage with hot sausage. Of course all food was spicy Cajun hot. One couple with a strong Cajun accent (love to listen to him talk) said their son killed a pig and gave him some meat that he cooked on a grill. Later someone told me it was not a pig but a wild boar. Another man grilled several pounds of sausage seasoned with "Slap Ya Mama," the local favorite Cajun seasoning. There were several other delicious dishes. We didn't know what was in them and were afraid to ask. Linda and I being outsiders (we were insiders after a few minutes) were asked to bring deviled eggs and a cake. We ate until we were stuffed, two plates full and desert. Of course, the beverage of the night was beer to keep the throat cool during the meal. (Not everyone drank beer.) I was up twice during the night taking Tums to keep the fire down.

Betty recommended some excellent restaurants in Abbeville for Cajun food and she sent us to a man she knows who gave us a great cypress swamp tour. One day she led a caravan to Mulate's in the town of Erath for some partying and to listen to a Cajun band. Recording artist D.L. Menard was there and Betty introduced our group to him. (Betty knows everybody and everybody knows Betty.) Then we all drove to Abbeville where the Omelet Festival was being held.

We went to Abbeville expecting to stay about three days but we had so much fun we extended our stay. Camping at Betty's is like being kids in a candy store. We could hardly wait for the next day to arrive to see what Betty had planned. If you want to experience Cajun Country and great hospitality, stop at Betty's RV Park for a few days. But if you are not a friendly person who enjoys meeting others, stay away. You will ruin it for everyone else.

Betty's RV Park website - http://www.bettysrvpark.com