Where Crawfish is King

April 12, 2008

Biloxi MS to Lake Charles, LA

Rained most of the night and it was still stormy when we got up. Checked the weather radar and was happy to see that the worst of it was past us and we would drive out of it on our way west.

I don't care how many times we drive on the Gulf-front hwy through Biloxi, Gulfport, Long Beach, Pass Christian, (the bridge is fixed!) Bay St. Louis and Waveland it continues to amaze us...and break our hearts. It has been over 2 1/2 years since Hurricane Katrina and although there has been much reconstruction the devastation is still everywhere. So many of the stately, historic homes are gone forever along with many of the massive oaks.
Consider the sheer area involved -- Damage from Dauphin Island on the easternmost point to New Orleans on the westernmost, a distance of over 100 miles, the crow flies. That would be like virtually everything being ruined from Myrtle Beach to Charleston. Hard to imagine, huh?
We stayed on Rt 90 until we picked up I12 in Slidell, LA. Interstate 10 dips down around the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain and New Orleans...Interstate 12 continues west just north of the Lake and by-passes New Orleans. That was just fine with us.

The last trip down there in 2003 was disappointing. A vet in Vicksburg (dog had the runs) asked where we were headed to. When we told him New Orleans, he told us not to go because 'everybody gets mugged!' We assured him that the ex-cop never lets his guard down and we would be extra careful. We went and noted that the city wasn't looking as good as we'd remembered from earlier trips. We felt uneasy, had dinner and a drink on Bourbon Street. Then after smelling urine at every doorway Jim turned to me and said, "Take a good long look because we're not coming back."

That was before Katrina.

So we continued on to Baton Rouge. Let me give you some advice here...take a Valium before driving through this place! I can't imagine what the traffic is like at rush hours...we went through around noontime on a Saturday and it was scary to say the least. The highway needs updating, and the drivers...lets just say the Charleston and Rhode Island drivers seem pretty tame in comparison. Sitting so high in the RV we witnessed lane changes reminiscent of a Indy race!

We were so focused on the traffic that I forgot to take a picture from high atop a bridge crossing the Mississippi River! Incidentally, the mighty river is higher than I've ever seen it, way up on the levees. Now the radio and TV stations begin with *K* instead of the eastern *W*.

After Baton Rouge (red stick) I12 rejoins I10 and the ride is delightful for an Interstate. It is elevated highway for miles over bayous, rivers, lakes and swamps. It's an enjoyable and scenic drive. Made even more so by the perfectly cloudless sky.

We traveled on through Beau Bridge and Lafayette, a place we remember well from the 2004 trip. We had engine problems and tried BOTH towns for a site for the night to no avail. Come to find out it was the weekend for the 2004 Annual Crawfish Festival and everyone filled the towns for that...who knew?

Rode on through miles of rice paddies to Lake Charles. Nobody stops to think (or read packages) about where things are grown. I understand this Louisiana rice is wonderful.

Pulled off the road a little earlier than usual, it was a long drive. Gave us time to relax, make a nice dinner of fillet mignon, fresh broccoli, baked sweet potato (use the potato button on the microwave) and roasted red peppers) then took a bike ride and walked the dogs.
We're at a Jellystone Park here in Lake Charles, La. It's very nice, roomy sites and the grounds are well kept. Little expensive for a site with no cable and the WIFI is up at the office...bummer. I'll have to download in the morning.