Lafayette to Lake Charles

Our drive to Lafayette takes us south to Houma and west through a vast network of rivers, marshes and cypress swamp.  The freeway for most of the way is a concrete elevated roadway across the water or swamp.  There are also a number of interchanges, all suspended over the water.  Arriving in Lafayette area we decide on an RV Park at Breaux Bridge.  This is a huge resort with swimming pools, including a swim up bar and lakes.  The park has 320 sites all with large concrete pads and bench tables.  You can even hire golf carts to get around.  We have a late afternoon drink at the bar but decide against the pool as it is quite crowded.  Decide not to spend any time in Lafayette city and we drive west on a scenic route through sugar cane fields, rice growing and marshland. At Cameron on the Gulf of Mexico we have a ferry crossing – our RV just fits!  A little further along we stop for the day at Holly Beach and park right on the beach overnight.  We can see many oil rigs out in the Gulf.  This area of coastline was devastated in Hurricane Rita and we can see where a lot of buildings have been washed away.  Holly Beach is only about 6 feet above sea level and the storm surge reached Lake Charles about 30 miles away.  The area where we park has new homes rebuilt on high stilts and there are many RV’s on vacant lots amongst them.  The water is warm but not inviting for a swim, a milky brown colour.  At night the oil rigs twinkle in the distance and shrimp boats trawl close to shore.

The next day we drive north through marshland to Lake Charles.  Along the way we stop to watch some people crabbing.  I am invited to try my hand, but without success.  Further along we stop and buy shrimp (beautiful king prawns) direct from the boats for $8 per kilo.  Sulphur, on the outskirts of Lake Charles is a massive industrial, oil refinery area.  In Lake Charles itself there is a very nice man made lake with beautiful large homes and equally impressive boat houses to match.  After driving through the historic streets we head to Sam Houston Jones State Park, a lovely camping area along the river and cypress pond.  There are tall shady trees, air conditioned amenities block, free air conditioned laundry and good wi-fi.  On walking along the river we are told there are alligators but we don't see any (think they are small anyway), many squirrels, deer and colourful birds and during the night we watched a raccoon raid our trash can.  It is hot, the sunset is red, the sunrise is red!