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.
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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.
