Before leaving I made sure I really knew how to get from here to there. We had discovered yesterday that there are actually two roads that go past the RV Park - North Wilderness Trail (the road we came in on) and St Claire Rd with the entrance being at the juncture of the two roads. However, the exit from the park is actually onto St Claire Rd. So when I turned left onto St Claire Rd thinking it was Wilderness Trail I got completely turned around when I turned onto what I thought was Gloria Switch Rd but was really Sawmill Rd. Oooops!
But armed with the correct information I felt confidant we could reach our destination. On time.Following the correct instructions we found our way to Breaux Bridge and headed for the launch point. Only we missed our turn. When I knew we had gone too far, we pulled into a police station and found out where we should have turned, got back on the road and made the correct turn. Parking at the put-in, I walked over to the guide and introduced myself. After a few minutes for anyone else to show up, Captain Brian said it looked like we were the only two for this tour and so launched his 10 seat aluminum boat. After parking his truck Tina and I climbed in, got seated in the two front seats and we left the dock.
Before heading into the swamp areas along the edges of the lake Brian explained how swamps are formed and what constitutes a swamp. Here at Lake Martin there are no natural inflows of water other than rain and surface run-off. Swamps require periodic changes in water level which allows for a drying out period followed by a wet period. The dry periods allow new growth to form, plants, trees and bushes that become submerged during the wet period. Swamps provide large areas for waterfowl nests, including large Cyprus and gum trees for rookeries.The swamps we were going through were home to vast number of ducks, turtles, fish, herons, ibis, egrets, spoonbills and many alligators. There was a tremendous biodiversity of plant life as well. Brian pointed out that the normal depth for the lake is around 6 to 7 feet but due to drought and a recent lowering of the lake by the Louisiana Fish and Game Department we would be in some very shallow areas.
As we nosed our way between the trunks of huge bald Cyprus and large gum trees red eared slider turtles would take to the water. There were many egrets and herons in the process of building nests high in the trees. Cormorants were perched drying their wings after fishing. We saw several alligators sunning themselves on logs. Two things surprised us both, the absence of bugs and there was no smell like you'd expect from decaying vegetation. The tour lasted for two and a half hours and we thoroughly enjoyed it!After returning to the dock we thanked Captain Brian, got in the car and headed into the town of Breau Bridge for lunch. We found a quaint little French Cafe where we had a couple of Po Boys - very filling - and, after lunch drove home with a stop at the book store where we spent enough time to pick up some books.
When we got home we took some time to relax before heading out to dinner at Prejeans Cajun Restaurant over on I-49 http://www.prejeans.com/ . Leaving the RV around 6:30 PM we got to the restaurant and found the parking lot full. Wait a minute, there was a spot directly across from the front door so I grabbed it quick. Entering Prejeans we were surprised to be seated almost immediately. It's a really big place with a separate bar and lounge. We were seated about twenty feet from a three piece cajun band playing live music for our entertainment.
Deciding to go all out we ordered the Seafood Skillet Fondeaux for Two which is shrimp, crab and crawfish with fresh sauteed spinach swimming in crab butter cream sauce, topped with mozzarella cheese and baked to a bubbly perfection. Served with garlic toast points. Along with it we ordered two cups of the duck and sausage gumbo with rice. For desert, Tina ordered Crème Brûlée à la Paris, a traditional French burnt crème custard topped with caramelized Louisiana cane sugar. While I had Cajun Bananas Foster’s Cheesecakewhich is traditional cheesecake rolled into a flour shell then deep fried, cinnamon dusted and then drizzled with a rum rich Bananas Foster’s sauce. Mmmmm, mmm!! The band was definately different being a fiddle, squeeze box and guitar. Here is a video sample of their music. Another very nice day!!
To see all the photos, click on the following link:
Distance for todays side trip, 25 miles.
2 comments:
Color me green. With envy. Very nice!
Where is the video sample music link? I was actually going to listen to it. No really! heheheh
Post a Comment