My favorite summer read so far this summer has been Atchafalaya Houseboat: My Years in the Louisiana Swamp (listen to the author on NRP here). Even before the final section of the book, I knew that Gwen Rowland would be one of my idols. Indeed, after living on a houseboat in the Louisiana swamp, and a patchwork of jobs, she talks about how sustainable agriculture has been one continuous thread throughout her life.
I know that I romanticize houseboat living, but I've always dreamed about it, especially after last summer's few days in Amsterdam and Seattle. This book makes it seem even more incredible - a bed suspended on ropes from the ceiling (I imagine being gently rocked to sleep by the wakes of passing boats), catching and growing as much food as you possibly can (that freshest of fresh taste every single day), bathing in the tea-colored river (nothing is better than being submerged in a good river), visiting amazing people such as Alcide Verret by boat and swapping stories (french-press coffee and homemade goodies to accompany the tales - I don't even like coffee!)...
The photos, by C.C. Lockwood, are just magical, and truly make this dream-like account seem possible, livable, if only we try hard enough.
The photos, by C.C. Lockwood, are just magical, and truly make this dream-like account seem possible, livable, if only we try hard enough.
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