When we picked Maxie’s Campground in Broussard, it was all about location, location, location. Just a short hop from Lafayette, the city everyone insisted we had to visit, it seemed like the perfect base. What we didn’t account for was the weather—cold, relentless rain that kept us bundled up inside the RV, staring wistfully out the windows like dogs waiting for a walk.

A Rainy Day Revelation

As the weather refused to cooperate, I racked my brain for indoor-ish activities. That’s when I remembered the pickleball courts we’d passed on our way in. I pulled out my phone, did a quick Google deep-dive, and—boom—we were booked for a court the next day.

Pickleball: Love, Laughter, and Losing

The next morning, armed with sneakers, paddles, and questionable skills, we hit the court. Turns out, pickleball is everything we’d hoped it would be: fast-paced, ridiculously fun, and just competitive enough to make us feel athletic without actually being athletic.

For an hour, we laughed, lunged, and swung wildly at the ball like pros who had skipped every lesson. John the Rockstar husband Laverty may have dominated the scoreboard, but I was clearly the MVP of style—channeling my inner Serena with every swing (even if the ball didn’t agree).

No Wins, No Worries

I’d love to say I clinched a victory or two, but let’s be real—I spent more time chasing rogue balls than scoring points. Still, we walked away sweaty, smiling, and already plotting our next pickleball showdown.

Who needs sunshine when you’ve got a paddle and a dream?

The Starbucks Detour: Santa Floats and Close Calls

As we packed up to leave Maxie’s, I thought I’d figured out the perfect back road to get us to a Starbucks, where we could refuel for the next leg of our journey. The road was quiet, and I could almost smell the sweet aroma of fresh coffee.

But when we arrived, things were not as expected. The empty parking lot? Yeah, scratch that. The place was filling up fast, and not with fellow coffee enthusiasts—oh no. It was Santa Claus float central. The parking lot was being overtaken by floats in every shade of red, green, and glittery gold, prepping for some kind of parade.

John the Rockstar husband Laverty and I shared a look, trying to figure out how fast we could get our Starbucks and get out of dodge before the parade turned the lot into Santa’s workshop. Miraculously, we pulled it off—grabbed our drinks and made it out just in time to avoid the traffic gridlock that followed as Santa and his entourage took over the streets.

It was a perfectly caffeinated escape—Maxie’s may have been rainy, but it was an adventure, nonetheless.