Lake Charles, LA, Not just an overnight stop anymore

We first stopped in Lake Charles on our last trip in 2018. It is conveniently located between the New Orleans area and Galveston. We were only here for 1 or 2 nights then, so we never really got the feel of the place. So this time we spent 4 nights at a state park in Lake Charles.

We spent a couple of evenings having way too many drinks by the fire with our neighbour, Moe. He's from Louisiana and was there by himself. His wife had suggested he "go camping" for a few days, I didn't ask. At one point I asked him what "Moe" was short for. Perhaps he didn't understand my question, but he replied his middle name was "Lester". I cracked up but he didn't seem to see the humor.  Reminds me of a Monty Python skit, Mr. Smoketoomuch. Google it. I'm not making this stuff up!

Lake Charles has 2 distinct identities. On one hand it has an amazing number of refineries and chemical plants at the west end.
There are miles and miles of this along Interstate 10, all lit up like it's Christmas.

To the east and south a very quaint historical downtown district with bars, shops and restaurants, 

...and a casino district with casinos which rival Las Vegas in size but are fewer in number.

I'm not a gambler but if I can spend 2 hours at a nickel slot and leave only $5 in the red, I call that cheap entertainment. And as long as you are feeding the machine nickels, drinks are free! 
The burger I had at the Jack Daniels restaurant at L'Auberge Casino has to rank in the top ten burgers of all time, maybe even in the top five.

There's a song about Lake Charles by Lucinda Williams, called.....oddly enough, Lake Charles.
If you're into some Louisiana country/blues, click the link and have a listen.
She was born here and grew up here. I love her voice, she always sounds like she's had just a few too many.
Enjoy.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dglHW7rOwk


The unit is telling me it's time for another fuel filter change, it's bucking on steep hills, so we'll have to deal with that soon.

Galveston is next. 

Grand Isle, Louisiana

The state park in Grand Isle is the perfect place to unwind after New Orleans. Grand Isle isn't on the way to anywhere. There's one road in and one road out. It's a spit of land at the southern end of the Mississippi Delta and it's only a few feet above sea level.
And speaking of the road in, it's 25 plus miles of elevated highway ( 20 feet above the bayou), complete with intersections and traffic lights. A road network in the sky.

Shrimp fishing and oil are the main industries here. From the beach you can see at least a dozen oil platforms out in the gulf. Helicopters routinely ferry crews back and forth and oil rig supply ships equal the number of shrimp trawlers off shore. BTW fresh shrimp are about $4/lb.

Wildlife is abundant. Pelicans, Egrets (some are pink), Black Skimmers and numerous others.


Pelicans (apparently well acquainted)

Black Skimmer (I can't take credit for the pic, found it on the web).

And dolphins just a few feet from the beach.

This guy obviously escaped from Marineland, quite the show off.

This shark had washed up on the beach. Even small (about 3 feet), and dead, they look menacing.

And now another animal story. 
Darlene was on Facebook today, and saw that someone had found a calico cat in Mill Village, which is about 10 kms from our home. She recalled that one of our neighbours, Patricia, has a very similar looking calico cat, that liked to wander. 
So, not having Patricia's phone number Darlene called Elizabeth, another neighbour. Elizabeth called Patricia and left a message saying "Darlene called from Louisiana and she thinks she may have found your cat!" 
Not only does news travel fast but apparently cats do too. I'm not making this stuff up, honestly.

Tomorrow a rainy drive to Lake Charles LA, and then on to Galveston.

'Nawlins

We skipped New Orleans 2 years ago when we were staying about 40 miles to the north. I  thought it would be unwise to drive an hour into the city and then have to drive back, after doing what they do best here, day and night.
But the park we're staying at now has a shuttle!
It's only a few minutes the the French Quarter... and man, we have been using it!

So, first night. We made a beeline for Pat O'Briens for a Hurricane. Loaded with fruit juices and vitamins! Yum, and sooo good for you.

This is how it's made, (you can try this at home...)

2 ounces white rum.
2 ounces dark rum.
2 ounces passion fruit juice.
1 ounce orange juice.
1/2 ounce grenadine.
1/2 ounce simple syrup.
1/2 medium lime, juiced.
slice of orange and maraschino cherry, for garnish.


And the music!  

This was the "big finish" of a tune featuring what appears to be an electric saxophone. Our favorite place, BB King's Blues Club. This is the kind of talent that makes this place so special.

And there's a new kid in town. Bourbon Street has traditionally been party central in the French Quarter. A mile of bars, restaurants and various other types of "entertainment".

We learned of a newer, trendier, grittier (if that's even possible) area called Frenchman's Street.
It's at the north-east end of the French Quarter.
Apparently, that's where the locals go. So we, being "local" (for a few days anyway),  had to check it out. Not crazy like Bourbon Street but still lots of bars and no shortage of great music.

Frenchman's Street

And some of the music on Frenchman's Street

A band on the street, I've never heard anyone play a clarinet like that!

And buskers. This guy gets marks for originality.

Coffee and biegnets at Cafe du Monde. A hearty breakfast for two, equal parts of biegnet and icing sugar. I believe "Biegnet" is french for "donut without a hole". They're served warm, right out of the fryer.

Tomorrow is the start of the 3 day "Pardi Gras. Not sure what it's all about but they say it's a "Pardi" and it seems like a good time to get in shape for the BIG party in a few weeks. We won't be here for Mardi Gras, but we'll be glad to participate in the warm up party. 

Goodbye St. George Island, Hello Redneck Riviera

Even after 2 weeks on the island we still haven't had enough. The weather has been amazing (in comparison to 2 years ago when it went below freezing almost every night). But, there is a 14 day maximum stay here, and it's time to let someone else enjoy this amazing place. 

On the typical day here, I would take my chair and umbrella on the bike in the morning and head to the beach, only a few minutes away. Darlene would join me later with the car, bringing snacks and a cold beer. Life's a beach! I have read more books already than I usually read in a year. The e-bike is approaching 300 kms on the odometer, most of it done here.

Next stop is Big Lagoon State Park, still in Florida but only a few miles from the Alabama state line and Gulf Shores, otherwise known as The Redneck Riviera. Yeee-haaa!

And that reminds me of a Redneck joke:
What are a Redneck's famous last words?
"That weren't nuthin', hold my beer and watch this!"

I had to find another cell phone service provider.
The Roam Mobility service I had signed up for before we left was pretty much useless. The new service is with AT&T and I'll never go elsewhere, their coverage is the best, unlimited everything  and at one third the cost.
I guess my new number is quite similar to a local "entrepreneur". The first night I got a text  ....."can I buy 2g from you". I screen captured the very short conversation. kinda funny. (phone # clipped to protect the guilty)

I'll bet Massiah's friend is still looking over his shoulder....he he.

Next night another potential customer. Damn, this is starting to look like a business opportunity.

Translations welcome, I haven't a clue what "finna get off tm" means.

Big Lagoon State Park was a nice quiet place. It has a couple of small beaches but we'll remember it for it's outstanding trails for hiking and biking. 

 

It looks like we're in for a change in the weather for the next few days. Still warm but lots of severe weather warnings.


Next week.....New Orleans!