Humbled on the Bayou

The weather was beautiful yesterday so we decided to head out to the Sabine National Wildlife Area south of Lake Charles. This area is the largest refuge in Louisiana. At the southern end is the Gulf of Mexico. We drove the Creole Nature Trail south and got to Holly Beach on the Gulf, we were shocked at how high the homes are built - made of cement pilons and they were about 3 stories up at the base of the home. And these homes were not cheap! Looked like haciendas of Mexico. Stucco, cement, very pleasing to the eye. But of course, the rest of the town was pure devistation from all the hurricanes. Mostly Katrina, but others that have come through. All you see are foundations of homes or homes totally destroyed and off foundations, extremely large fishing vessels swept up on land and at the ports. We have heard about how bad this area gets with hurricane destruction, but to see it after so many years - amazing. If there is a home now, it's built up on stilts and made of cement. And, there is ALWAYS a large 5th wheel RV and a doulie (double tires in the back) truck sitting at the home. This is for - hitch up the RV, get your stuff in the RV, and get they heck out when a hurricane is approaching. If you look closely at the picture on the left you will see a huge fishing vessel on it's side at the port. We saw this same size ship way up on land as we were driving around. Were very surprised when the road we were traveling suddenly ended and you had to take a ferry across to pick up the road and continue. We think that due to hurricanes a bridge could not withstand the power of nature, therefore you had to be ferried across the river and this river empties to the Gulf about a mile down. First time we got a ferry ride for free. Lasted about 3 minutes once the ferry left one side and coasted across. Saw some huge ocean going vessells there in Cameron, and this river is part of the Intercoastal Waterway.


We got to Fausta's Cajun Restaurant for dinner and it was super. I guess I can't eat that kind of food - my stomach rebelled almost immediately. Today we will do some things around the RV, going to have some champaign tonite for the New Years, then tomorrow again sit - supposed to be severe thunderstorms coming in - don't want to stray too far. Temp in the 70's and very humid. Think Sunday we will head to Lafayette to do some touring. Happy New Year everyone!