January 28-31, 2022 Travel and Stay at Rainbow Plantation, Alabama

Before I start, I want to thank my friend Jan who let us know that those flooded fields were crawfish farms.  After we saw the nets, we thought it was some type of fish or ??.  Thank you Jan.

--

On January 28, we packed up to head east. We wanted to dump our tanks after being parked for four nights but there was a “gentleman” who parked his truck and boat trailer in front of the dump station where there were big “No Parking “ signs.  Oh well, some people just……

Anyway, we headed east and decided to stay on I-10 until our stop.  There were many bridges, swamps, bays, rivers, and lakes:

This is the famous Atchafalaya Basin Bridge that goes for 18 miles over swamps, rivers and lakes.

If you look in the center of the picture you will see the water and the highway is on both sides:

To me, this bridge is fascinating and I cannot imagine what it was like building with the swamps all around (and the mosquitos and other creatures that hang out in the swamps – Yikees).

Anyway, here is a little information from the internet:

“The Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, also known as the Louisiana Airborne Memorial Bridge, is a pair of parallel bridges in the U.S. state of Louisiana between Baton Rouge and Lafayette which carries Interstate 10 over the Atchafalaya Basin. With a total length of 96,095 feet (29,290 m; 18 mi; 29 km), it is the 3rd longest bridge in the US, the 2nd longest on the interstate system, and fourteenth-longest in the world by total length.

The bridge was opened to the public in 1973, construction was said to have begun in 1971. At the time of its completion, it was the second longest bridge in the United States, behind the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway Bridge. The bridge includes two exits: one for Whiskey Bay (Louisiana Highway 975) and another for Butte La Rose (LA 3177). While the bridges run parallel for most of their length, they merge when crossing the Whiskey Bay Pilot Channel and the Atchafalaya River. The average daily traffic count is (as of 2015) 30,420 vehicles.

Accidents occur frequently near the two river crossings as both are very narrow and lack shoulders. Accidents along the bridge can be problematic as the Atchafalaya Basin is sparsely inhabited. In 1999, Governor Mike Foster lowered the speed limit on the bridge from 70 to 60 mph (115 to 95 km/h). In 2003, the Louisiana Legislature enacted new traffic regulations for the bridge. The speed limit for 18-wheelers was lowered to 55 mph and they must remain in the right lane while crossing the bridge.”

Our journey took us across the Mississippi River (so we are now officially back in the east):

We are staying at the Slidell Elks Lodge in Slidell, Louisiana.  What a beautiful park with water and electricity and a dump station on site.  We met with the caretaker and then went to the lodge to have a few drinks and dinner.  I will definitely keep this on our list for a sightseeing spot in the future.

Their picnic area:

Firepits, wood, and a pond behind the RV sites:

I just love the moss hanging from the tree as well as the size of these trees:

On January 29, we continued our journey east into Mississippi:

Beautiful roads:

More bridges and bays:

Check out these homes:

We decided to do more of the scenic route (US90) along the coast.  Beautiful white sands:

That is an American flag in the center of the photo:

We stopped at a pullout and had lunch.  Here was our view:

We continued on to Alabama:

Thru Mobile:

Under Mobile:

And out to a bridge over the bay:

We landed at Rainbow Plantation in Summerdale.  It is an Escapees Park with beautiful trees:

It has been a while since we were here.  Sunday night was their ice cream social so, of course, we went.  It is so nice to see the parks back to doing events.  They did their social a little different.  Instead of scooping from containers, they had a variety of individual bars.  Nice!

So we stayed here for two full days and three nights. One day was laundry day – oh my, we had so much since we had not done it in a while.  Everyone loves the Escapee Parks for their laundry and price.  But if you have a lot, it is better to go to town and get it done.  (BTW, The Foley Laundromat is pretty good and they have an attendant. Plus their big washers are not too bad in price.)  While I was getting that done, Andy took the car to get an oil change.  Back home we had to rearrange again. (Stuff keeps falling while we travel!!  We will get it yet!)

And the second day was trying to find places to stay until February 6th when we will be on our lot in Wauchula, Florida. For those who know me, I just HATE making reservations. I want the ability to stay if I want to or go if I want to but sheesh, in the past few years that has changed.  So now I do a week or so at a time and so far so good.  Thank God for Elks and Moose Lodges.

Our last night here, we ate the the famous Lamberts, Home of the Throwed Roll.  Their rolls are wonderful! (https://throwedrolls.com/lamberts-cafe-iii/)

These are our travel stats for January 28-29, 2022.

January 28th:

Louisiana: Lorrain Road; SR101; I10; I12; Northshore Blvd; US190; SR433; Elks Road

Miles Traveled: 208 Miles

Louisiana: Elks Road; SR433; US190; I-10

Mississippi: I-10; US90; I10;

Alabama: I-10; SR59;  US90; CR55; CR32; Long Road; CR28; Rainbow Plantation

Miles Traveled: 172 Miles

Tomorrow we continue to Florida so stay tuned and enjoy today.

January 27, 2022 Road Trip around Calcasieu Parish

Another beautiful day so we decided to take another road trip.  Right by the campground is a bridge that goes over the Bayou Lacassine and then down a dirt road to who knows where.  Well today we decided to find out where.

The Lorrain Bridge:

The Bayou:

Every day, we see folks bring their boats and fish – looks murky to me. We also hear gun shots too – probably hunting season.

The road:

Cool trees in the swamp:

Yes, folks do live here.  There were some areas where I swear I heard dueling banjos.

The road went past fields like this.  They are built in squares with a dirt berm, then flooded.  We have not been able to figure out what they are growing.  In some of the ponds there is netting laid down first so we are assuming some type of fish farm.  So if anyone knows, let us know.

Grain storage by a larger lake:

We also saw lots of cattle and horses and patches of homes here and there.  There are also other roads off this main one but do not look as regularly traveled plus we did not know if they were private.

The road finally ended in route LA99 and from there we headed north and east.  We went thru the little burgs of Welsh and Roanoke and into the little city of Jennings where we had lunch.  From there we headed south to Lake Arthur and west and north to home.  In between the little cities and towns are farms with cattle, goats, and horses and many of those water farms too.  Plus a lot of wetlands and what I call “scrub” areas.  Very interesting.

Tomorrow we continue our journey east so stay tuned and enjoy today.

 

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.

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.

The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway:

In the background is a barge in waiting:

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

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

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

This is looking north:

This is looking south:

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!.

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

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:

 

The Gulf of Mexico:

 

 

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.

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:

Leaving the docks:

Heading across the channel:

Coming to the other side:

The Ferry – we were second in line:

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

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:

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

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.

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

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.