We drove through some beautiful and varied country today. We headed south from Lake Charles along the Creole Nature Trail, which runs through a series of natural wildlife reserves along the gulf coastline. They included fresh and saltwater marshes, wooded islands, canals and lakes. At one point the road ran along a narrow dike in the middle of extensive marshlands. It was a bird watcher's paradise. There are 312 species. We saw mostly wading birds; herons and egrets. We saw some rice fields, but the major crop in this area is sugar cane which is just being harvested.
Most of the time we were at sea level or below. The houses along the southern coast were all built up on "stilts" about 8' - 12' above the ground. One house had a sign: "Cajun High Rise".
The Intra-coastal byway runs along the Gulf Coast. It is a 3 000 mile waterway that extends from the Manasquan River, in New Jersey, to Brownsville, Texas. Most of what we saw today was man made canals that provide access to the Gulf. The waterway is used by recreational boaters, but at some points there were ports that were bustling with commercial activity. The road crossed over the waterway several times by way of some very impressive bridges.
We arrived in New Orleans this afternoon. Our hotel is right in the heart of the downtown area. We are on the 41st floor and our room looks out onto the Mississippi River which is two blocks away. We can watch the barges and other vessels as they go past.
Trip Mileage: 5159 Miles
Most of the time we were at sea level or below. The houses along the southern coast were all built up on "stilts" about 8' - 12' above the ground. One house had a sign: "Cajun High Rise".
The Intra-coastal byway runs along the Gulf Coast. It is a 3 000 mile waterway that extends from the Manasquan River, in New Jersey, to Brownsville, Texas. Most of what we saw today was man made canals that provide access to the Gulf. The waterway is used by recreational boaters, but at some points there were ports that were bustling with commercial activity. The road crossed over the waterway several times by way of some very impressive bridges.
We arrived in New Orleans this afternoon. Our hotel is right in the heart of the downtown area. We are on the 41st floor and our room looks out onto the Mississippi River which is two blocks away. We can watch the barges and other vessels as they go past.
Trip Mileage: 5159 Miles
New Orleans from hotel room
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