Couple from Canada stop in Vermilion Parish while living out their 'Bucket List'

Many have a “bucket list” that they would like to accomplish in their life time.
Doug and Suzanne Carroll of Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, Canada are living out their “bucket list” now. They are traveling from California to Florida on the back roads as a way to see things and meet as many things as possible.
This past weekend they were in Vermilion Parish. They visited Kaplan, Erath, Abbeville, Delcambre and then went to Avery Island.
On Tuesday they left for New Iberia, Franklin and then Houma.
This married couple, who have two grown children, are not touring the southern United States the normal way with modern transportation.
Once they arrive at their destination, they unload their horse-drawn carriage from their trailer, remove the brother-and-sister Trakehner-cross horses, Quantum and Roo.
Then they take off and tour the area on their carriage.
On Sunday they visited Erath and Abbeville. On Monday they went to Delcambre and Avery Island. Tuesday was rest day for the Carrolls and the horses.
“We want to ride our horses as much as possible along the way,” said Doug. “We try to average 20 miles a day. We want to get an idea of how our ancestors felt when they went from the East to the West. We are doing it the opposite way.”
The Canadian couple stayed a few nights in Abbeville at the Red Barn.
On Nov. 1, 2014 they left Murrietta, California, and plan to end their trip in Ocala, Fla. at the beginning of April. They have travelled through Arizona, Texas, and Louisiana. Before they arrived in the parish, they were in Sulphur, Vinton, Hackberry and Johnson Bayou.
Visiting Vermilion Parish was not in their original cross country plan until they met a friend in Lake Charles, who recommended they visit Abbeville. During their stay in the parish, they accumulated 70 miles on the carriage.
They have eaten crawfish and also visited the Erath Museum where they were treated to a free meal. They got to listen to Cajun Music and had a good time at the museum, they said.
Suzzane said their stay in Vermilion Parish has been outstanding.
“The hospitality has been 110 percent,” said Suzanne. “Everyone in Abbeville has been great. The shops and stores we have visited have been interested in what we are doing.”