Southern Airports: Lafayette, Louisiana

Girard Park, Lafayette, LA

There’s a layer of fog kissing the ground at the Lafayette Airport, about two hours west of New Orleans, so unusual for late August. I contemplate that this may signal a delay in my flight to Atlanta, but again, it’s August in one of the hottest spots in the country right now.

Sure enough, the Delta plane reroutes to Houston and I have more than an hour to kill.

Lafayette has long been one of my favorite airports, mainly because its small size means easy access, free parking if you can get in and out in thirty minutes (and like a dollar if not) and a quick trip through security. Most of the time, my flights have been on time, but sometimes small airports pose interesting situations.

Take the time my flight from Atlanta experienced mechanical difficulties. We didn’t leave Georgia until late that night and arrived in Lafayette around 1 a.m. I’m not sure who was manning the booth at that hour but the folks inside the airport couldn’t get the breezeway to fit our flight and the tired folks inside my plane — including the pilot — were about to revolt after more than 30 minutes ticked by. I kept thinking, just open the exit doors and let us slide our tired butts down that blow-up thing.

New airport being built.

Then last year airlines scheduled more flights early in the morning from Lafayette, causing huge lines through security that resulted in many people missing flights. Right now it’s suggested that passengers get there at least 90 minutes before their flight if leaving early in the A.M.

Here’s the good news — a new airport is in the works, thanks to Lafayette residents passing a temporary sales tax to fund the expansion. But we’re looking at 2022 before that happens.

Breakfast at Acadiana Tap Room

Despite my delay on this foggy Tuesday morning, I still love my little airport. I arrive early to no lines at TSA — go figure — grab a coffee at the stand and make myself comfortable. Three TSA agents with little to do since the lines have disintegrated, gather near my seat and animatedly debate where to find the best boudin in Acadiana (for you non-Louisiana people, that’s a sausage filled with pork, rice and spices). Naturally, I listen closely and make notes.

When my plane gets delayed further, I head to the Acadiana Tap House, a bar-slash-café that straddles both sides of the security corridor. Here I’m able to watch the latest baseball games and listen to hot New Orleans jazz. Local beers are on tap here, namely Ragin Cajuns ale, Parish Brewing’s Canebreake and Abita. Since I’m a native of the Big Easy, I find myself nodding my head to “Basin Street Blues."

What: Lafayette Regional Airport

Where: Lafayette, Louisiana. Cajun Country. Two hours west of New Orleans.

What’s Good: Café offers gumbo and other regional favorites, plus local beers. Breakfast is pretty darn good. See photo above.

What’s Bad: Long lines through TSA in the early morning; it’s advised to get there 90 minutes early.

What’s Unique: Likely the only airport in the United States that gives announcements in French.

Wifi: Free, connected to the city's municipal fiber options. Pretty darn fast.

What’s Coming: A new terminal in 2022.

Return to Mayberry

Well, Barn, do you wish you could return to those slow-moving summer days fishing at the creek with a bottle of pop and a baloney sandwich? Do I hear whistling as you make your way to the water’s edge, fishing pole over your shoulder?

You don’t have to relegate your desire for an easier time in the old South to just watching “The Andy Griffith Show,” you can actually live them at the 30th annual Mayberry Days Sept. 23-29, 2019, in Mount Airy, North Carolina, “where Mayberry comes to life.”

There’ll be local bands playing those old songs Andy and Aunt Bee loved, a parade through town, silent auction, “The Emmett” golf tournament, games and so much more. Best of all, Gomer, there’ll be special guests and shows, including:

• John Floyd, "the Mouth of Mayberry," performs comedy at the Historic Earle Theatre on Sept. 23;
• Ballet Magnficat! performs “Deliver Us” Sept. 24 at the Andy Griffith Playhouse; and
• Ronnie Schell Comedy Review, with a Special Tribute to Andy Griffith containing stories of his time working with Griffith will be Sept. 26 at the Historic Earle Theatre.

There's so much more. Check out the schedule of shows here.

If you can’t make it for Mayberry Days, be sure and come back to visit The Andy Griffith Museum, featuring the hundreds of items from the life and career of Andy Griffith collected by Emmett Forrest.

A fun way to tour the town Barney style is to take a Squad Car Tour in a genuine 1960s-era police car driven by natives who know both the town and its famous TV star. Visitors will leave from Wally's Service Station on Main Street and pass by Mt. Airy landmarks such as Barney's Cafe, Floyd's Barber Shop and Andy's birthplace, among other landmarks.

And don't miss an opportunity to sample sonkers, a cobbler-type dessert that's unique to this area of North Carolina. Read about the Surry Sonker Trail and the places to enjoy this special dish here.




Weird, Wacky and Wild South is written by Chere Coen, a food and travel writer who grew up with "The Andy Griffith Show" (okay, maybe the reruns) and who loved sampling sonkers.