A year ago, I started writing this column documenting a weekly adventure. Since then, I've done things like:

helping the grounds crew at Tiger Stadium ;

being a mermaid at the Audubon Aquarium (the scariest thing I've done in a long time);

becoming a blacksmith (I have the twisted iron to prove it);

walking to the largest bald cypress tree in the world ;

helping a beekeeper save a hive in midair ;

going behind the scenes with the mascot, Mike the Tiger, at LSU;

meeting the Gold Man in the French Quarter;

"strutting" with the Dancing Dolls , at least in theory (these kind young women were a highlight of the year).

It’s been quite a year.

For the first "Louisiana at Large" column, I went for a walk in Audubon Park in New Orleans where, by chance, I met Ciera Ellis . O

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