Wildcat Philosophy, French Rum, and The “Happiness” Business
If you know, then you know. If you don’t you need to make a visit to the Wildcat Brothers at Gator Cove
As the April weather continued to warm up across the country it was time for us to head west.
The forecast for the week called for severe thunderstorms and tornados from the Gulf Coast to the Great Lakes in a band of storms slowing moving east from Texas.
We watched the weather, evaluated our options, and kept coming to the same conclusion, there was no getting around it.
The plan was set. We would travel in the morning to ensure we were at our destination by early afternoon avoiding getting caught on the highway during the severe weather that seemed to intensify with the heat of the afternoon.
As we entered Louisiana, we were amazed at all the beautiful wildflowers that were blooming and the abundance of water (swamps, bayou) on both sides of the highway.
The town of Lafayette was our destination for the day and as we exited I-10 I had some serious doubts about our choice.
Large and plentiful potholes, narrow lanes, and mid-day traffic challenged Andrea’s packing skills as the Queen bounced down the road.
However, as they say, “calm seas don’t make good sailors” nor do well paved roads make good drivers.
We felt a sense of relief as we pulled up to our home for the night, Wildcat Brothers at Gator Cove.
After settling into their back parking lot, making friends with the resident peacocks, keeping an eye on the gator in the pond, and wondering why the neighbor had fenced in some deer, it was time to go to school.
Our 4 pm, “Rum School” was about to being with our fellow campers, and the owners, Tait, and David.
From the minute we met these two (Tait and David) we knew they were our kind of people.
Both had left successful “mainstream” careers to follow their passion of creating the best French Rum they could.
They valued relationships (friends since college) and love to tell a good story!
We sat and listened to them share stories of the history of rum, pirates in the bayou, Rockabilly music, and you could feel that Cajun pride running deep in them and their amazing staff.
It was a blessing for us to be able to support them in the program they believe in that is funding groundbreaking PTSD treatments for our veterans through our purchase of their limited-edition Valor Rations Rum.
This is “top shelf” in our Airstream and will only be brought out for the most special of occasions and will require a good story.
One night there was not enough, so we have made sure to remain in contact with our wildcat friends and have added Lafayette to the list of places to stop and explore more of in the future.
It is meeting people like this, listening, and sharing stories of adventure and living life on your own terms, that fulfills us on our adventure.
The Wildcat Brother’s slogan is that they are in the “happiness business” and they are amazing at it.
David, his daughter, a staff member who made the drink with the peeps in them, and us. We clearly stayed after school for more education!
Stories, smiles, music, and the happiness of seeing Andrea dancing from the stage where local musicians had a “jam session” all the way back to the parking lot where the Queen awaited us.
This is happiness for us and exactly why we chose this lifestyle.
Sunsets, sunrises, and walk abouts have a way of getting us thinking.
It got us thinking though as we left the next day, westbound stocked up on the best French rum, stories, and a slight hangover.
What if we were all in the “happiness business”?
Accepting responsibility for our own personal happiness and living our lives in a manner that promotes, fosters, and encourages happiness in those around us?
How much better, deeper, and truer would our relationships be?
What kind of world would we be creating for our future generations?
Maybe we all need a little more Wildcat Brother’s philosophy, some Cajun pride, a bit more French rum and happiness in our days!