May 5, 2014 (14th Day)

Sunny day greeted us at 7 am.  66 degrees.. Beautiful blue sky, but no clouds.

We left Abbeville RV Park at 8:30 am, drove through Abbeville town center. We wanted to stop at the old depot musuem, but it was not open until 10 am and we were there at 9.

Got on N LA Highway 82 (Jean Lafitte Scenic Byway).  Lots of rice paddies and crawfish farm. (Pics/video).  Pleasant drive on that route. Saw brahmas.  It was impossible to pull over to take pictures because there was no shoulder and room enough.

Now heading toward Pecan Island. Crossing Intracoastal Waterway (video).  Few miles down the road we crossed the bridge over old Intracoastal Waterway. 

Erwin decided he wanted to stop at one of fishing docks along the route just to see what it was like. While we were on the dock Edith took pictures of the red-winged blackbird on swamp grass.

In one town Erwin braked the van to a stop because there was a turtle in the middle of the lane, so he got out and moved it to a ditch nearby.

Few miles down the road there was another turtle on the road and it was red eared turtle. Of course, Erwin stopped the van and got out to move the turtle.

Entering Cameron Parish (Creole Nature Trail Scenic Byway) still on 82

Spotted two gators (pics) each time we pulled over they would scramble down to the water . So far, we saw 5 of them.

Pulled over to Rockfeller Wildlife Refuge at Eastern End Boat Locks where people can go fishing, crabbing, hunting, etc. It is in grand Chenier, LA (pics/video). We watched a couple crabbing, and they told us that they had been there since 7:30 am and have caught at least a dozen of them.  Erwin asked them if one dozen would be enough for a meal, they said no, but if they do not get another dozen later on in the day they will throw in shrimp with crabs and cook them

Rockfeller Wildlife Refuge sign on Grand Chenier Hwy 82. Beautifully carved.

Arrived Creole, LA at 11:45 am . Turned right to get on W Creole Highway 27. Saw this yellow-crowned night heron.  

Alligator with its head flattened on side of the road. Looked like somebody ran over it deliberately. 

Went in Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge, a 3 mile loop drive called Pintail Drive and Boardwalk. Very nice, but we did not get to see lots of migratory ducks cause most of them already headed north.  About half way through the loop we pulled off to make lunch. Enjoyed the view as we ate sandwiches.  Very lovely day for a drive! 

Saw different birds, lots of alligators red-winged blackbirds. Took us over 2 hours to complete the loop.  Our van reached 6,500 miles while on the loop.  

We left the refuge at 1:45 pm, continued driving down Highway 27 to Highway 384 to my cousin Doris' house in Lake Charles.

This is really an unusual roof shape for a house.  It was on Highway 384

Doris and I grew up together when she and her mom lived across the street from my parents' house for several years. When we were young she helped me to learn how to listen to music. 

Doris and Paul greeted us and we met their three dogs, Sabrina, Cassie and Toby.

We sat down and tried to catch up news.  Doris asked us what cuisine we were in mood for.  We wanted Mexican because of Cinco de Mayo celebration, but they thought their favorite restaurant might be full. They said they were going to go by and check it out, and if it is full we go to a seafood restaurant, which is fine with us.

They showed us the recreational park at Indian Bay, very beautiful. 

We drove by L'Auberge casino, went to the top of the parking garage to get a view of the casino building, bay, oil refineries, port.
                         

Also, we went by $2M to $4M waterfront homes.  Beautiful and nice drive.


We were lucky because Doris' favorite Mexican restaurant had three tables available.  We all ordered margaritas because it was 2 for 1 price drinks. The foods were fabulous. Edith was impressed with the way they prepared cile relleno. Overall, we were very pleased with what we had.

Went back to Doris and Paul's house we settled down and caught up some more news.  Paul made some suggestions on visiting some sites on our way to Texas.  Doris served a delicious cake.

It was a lovely spending time with Edith's cousin and her husband.