may/june VOLUME 39 NUMBER 4

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From The Editor

‘Lake Charles,’ The song 12 calendar

Peachy Keen: The peach festival in Ruston will satisfy your craving

46 roadside dining

Serious Shrimp: Whether it’s stuffed or busted, shrimp in Shreveport is borders on sport 48 great louisiana chef

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Comfortably Yum: Kraig Dixon puts a twist on New Orleans comfort classics at plant-based restaurant Seed

along the way

Paradise Lost: Breton Island, home of Theodore Roosevelt’s only visit to a National Wildlife Refuge, and the rest of the Chandeleur Islands, could be lost in10 years according to experts

50 kitchen gourmet

Critical Conservation: The Mississippi River

Heavenly Match: 4 shrimp and veggie recipes for a tasty transition into summer

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16 photo contest

state of louisiana

traveler

Pelican Briefs: Noteworthy news and happenings around the state

Home of the Hayride: Today’s performers bring new life to a stage made sacred by pioneers of Country, Western Blues and Rock

20 health

Catch of the Day: Louisiana residents argue about a lot, but one thing most agree on is we love our seafood

62 farther flung

Big Fun in Little Rock: History, culture, nature and good times abound in Arkansas’ capital

22 Literary Louisiana

For the Birds: An exposé of the world of birding in Louisiana 24 Made In Louisiana

Carving a Niche: Former Baker coach and teacher Lin Babb went from molding minds to shaping locallysourced wood into handcrafted cutting boards, bowls and serving pieces

38 Jefferson Highway Louisiana’s version of Route 66 has history, a group dedicated to its preservation and makes for a great road trip By Cheré coen illustrations by amber day

64 a louisiana life

Fashionable Philanthropy: Shreveport native Latasha Henderson uses fashion design to give back

28 artist

The View From Above: Photographer Ben Depp focuses on Louisiana’s vanishing coastal wetlands 32 home

Naturally Chic: Contemporary home in Sunset is designed for efficiency and sustainability

on the cover

By the time you are reading this, it’ll be prime road trip season. You’ve no doubt heard about — or have driven on — Route 66, but did you know that Louisiana has its own version? The Jefferson Highway — named after Thomas Jefferson for brokering the Louisiana Purchase — stretches from Winnigpeg, Canada all the way down to New Orleans and has a storied history and its own preservation group. There are a lot of charming cities and towns, fun attractions and good eats on the portion that runs through the Pelican State, which we cover in our cover story. Writer Cheré Coen offers up a host of places to go, stay and dine, as well as things to do if you decide to make the trip. She advices to bring a camera (or keep that camera phone charged), because the route features some of the most photogenic roads in Louisiana. Load up the car and hit the road for an adventure — without even leaving the state.