1/26/2022

January 26, 2022 Road Trip to Holly Beach and Cameron in Louisiana

We both woke up feeling good and decided to do a road trip.  We did sightseeing here in 2011 and I wanted to go back to some of the places.

We started heading south on SR27 – The Creole Trail.  It is a nice two lane road that passes thru many wildlife refuges.

Yes, we did see so much damage from the storms – it was so sad.

These are pine trees that were stripped of their greenery. We found some trees just stumps and those stumps were twisted and shredded.  But there is still beauty along the way.  All the birds and creatures have returned.  And the refuges have survived.

2022-01-26 B Trees Along the Creole Trail (6)

Our next stop was the Intercoastal Parish Park.  We were on our way here on Monday until I found out that the RV camping is closed for now (not sure why?!)  Anyway, we decided to have lunch here.

This is where we camped 10 years ago, facing the intercoastal waterway and watching the barges.  Each RV site has a shelter and water and electricity for $12.00/night. The bridge in the background is a draw bridge.

2022-01-26 C Intercoastal Parish Park (1)

The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway:

2022-01-26 C Intercoastal Parish Park (2)

In the background is a barge in waiting:

2022-01-26 C Intercoastal Parish Park (4)

Some damage here from the winds – part of the fences were missing or shredded:

2022-01-26 C Intercoastal Parish Park (13)

After lunch we continued on our way down SR27.  This is the road and there is water on both sides of the road (bayou).

2022-01-26 D Sabine National Wildlife Refuge (1)

We stopped in the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge – isn’t it just beautiful!

This is looking north:

2022-01-26 D Sabine National Wildlife Refuge (3)

This is looking south:

2022-01-26 D Sabine National Wildlife Refuge (7)

They had a nature trail but we decided not to do it.  The weather was windy and in the 40’s.  Yes it is cold.  And then we saw this at the beginning of the trail – Yikes!.

2022-01-26 D Sabine National Wildlife Refuge (14)

We will be back someday when it is warmer and explore these refuges.  They are just amazing.

2022-01-26 D Sabine National Wildlife Refuge (19)a

We continued our journey to Holly Beach.  Holly Beach is a resort town and sits on the Gulf of Mexico.  They also were affected by the storms.  Some places were fixed up, some in the process, and some lots that were empty.

Cool looking houses:

2022-01-26 E Holly Beach (2)

 

2022-01-26 E Holly Beach (6)

The Gulf of Mexico:

2022-01-26 E Holly Beach (9)

 

2022-01-26 E Holly Beach (11)

 

2022-01-26 E Holly Beach (16)

I also call this shell beach..  There were not as many as I remember in 2011 but still scads of shells – all colors and sizes.  I did pick some of the little ones cause I would like to see how I can incorporate them in fused glass when I get home.

2022-01-26 E Holly Beach (18)

We continued on our way to the next town – Cameron.  But first we had to cross the Calcasieu Channel.  There is a ferry that runs every 15 minutes for 24 hours a day 365 days per year.  Not only do tourists use it but many workers walk on and go from one side to the refinery on the other.

Here it comes:

2022-01-26 F Cameron Ferry (1)

Leaving the docks:

2022-01-26 F Cameron Ferry (4)

Heading across the channel:

2022-01-26 F Cameron Ferry (5)

Coming to the other side:

2022-01-26 F Cameron Ferry (9)

The Ferry – we were second in line:

2022-01-26 F Cameron Ferry (14)

This little one guided us in to port – LOL!:

2022-01-26 F Cameron Ferry (28)

And we were off and on our way to Cameron.  Oh my!  This town has suffered greatly in the last couple years.  We saw so many homes and business destroyed.  Some are rebuilding, some are not.  We saw many trailers and 5th wheels where people are living.  And so much debris in the swampy areas.  It was so sad.

One of the Catholic Churches:

2022-01-26 G Cameron and North (1)

It does look like they are starting to rebuild the parish center:

2022-01-26 G Cameron and North (4)

One of the many sites.  If you look closely at the road on the right, it ends at a concrete slab where a house once stood.  In the background is still debris and some of that debris goes for miles.

2022-01-26 G Cameron and North (9)

This looks like a business stood here and they decided not to rebuild.

2022-01-26 G Cameron and North (11)

It was very emotional to see.  Some of these folks keep rebuilding.  I am not sure if I would.

Tomorrow we may do another adventure so stay tuned and enjoy today.

10734187_737570396329858_7011007713997890212_n

 

No comments: