So Long Texas

4/18/2018 So long Texas! Hello Louisiana! Yep, I crossed the border into Cajun country. I had the pleasure of riding two ferries today: Galveston to Bolivar Peninsula, Texas and again in Louisiana across the Calcasieu River. The Calcasieu River allows ship traffic to traverse as far north as Lake Charles, Louisiana. My first stop for the day was at the Dockside Bar & Grill in Cameron, Louisiana. The Dockside produced a great burger in a very friendly environment.  After my discussion with several patrons at the restaurant I decided to head about 3 miles south to the Cameron Jetty Pier R/V Park.  I was checked into the site ($25) by Cecil a staff member of the Cameron Parish Police Jury that operates the Park. After setting up I walked over to an observation tower that overlooks the beach. There I meet a couple from Minneapolis that was on a ten day excursion having left a 3 day stay in New Orleans earlier in the day. Afterwards, I walked over to the pier where I met Alden who was successfully fishing at that location. He initially asked me if I wanted the 30+ lbs. Red Drum caught earlier that was now on his stringer. I told him that fish was “way too large a fish for me” then he caught another then several more. Alden, originally from Trinidad and Tobago,  has been in the U.S. Army for 10 years and is now stationed at Fort Polk, Louisiana. We talked, fished and watched the river’s ship traffic until 9pm when Alden left before Cecil locked the gates for the evening.  I then returned to the trailer for the night

4/19/2018 I left the Cameron Jetty Pier R/V Park with no place in mind for the night. I was refueling in New Iberia, Louisiana when I noticed a gentleman, Victor, examining the Nash 23D. Victor has a 1998 pop-up camper and he is interested in replacing it. We discussed my trailer, its specifications, where I purchased it and where I could get a good lunch. I then opened the camper door for Victor’s examination. He suggested the Grand Isle State Park and I thought OK that sounds good. He also verbally led me to the Bon Creole Lunch Counter where I had the excellent seafood platter PoBoy. I strongly recommend the Bon Creole as a great place for fresh seafood and PoBoys. Four hours after my departure from New Iberia I arrived, after dark, at the Grand Isle State Park. There is a toll bridge prior to the park which I almost ran without paying. The booth looked more like an island in the middle of the road as opposed to a toll booth. To my chagrin I stopped quickly and paid the toll booth lady. I called the state park on the way and was told there would be a list of open campsites upon my late arrival. Well, I arrived late and no list so I just drove around the campground, found an open site, and plopped down. 

Shrimping off the beach in Grand Isle

4/20/2018 That was a quick visit to Grand Isle, Louisiana. I was only allowed a Thursday night’s stay at the Grand Isle State Park ($24), so off I went this morning. Last night I made reservations at the Buccaneer State Park in Waveland, Mississippi in anticipation of today’s departure. That yielded only 3 days of my total time expended in the state of Louisiana. On the way to my next campsite, I drove through New Orleans and I believe the drivers there to be the worst I have ever encountered. It was made especially testing by pulling a trailer through that city’s thoroughfares. I’m glad to be settled in a nice peaceful campground that is adjacent to the beach, not windy, and close to several appealing activities. After setting up, then researching tomorrow’s activities, I went into Bay St. Louis, Mississippi for a cocktail. Afterwards, I went to the nearby Cannella Restaurant that serves German and Italian cuisines. I had the Southern smoked version of Schweinshaxe which was delicious. After dinner I composed this day’s blog submission then I retired for the evening.

Courtesy of INFINITY Science Center

4/21/2018 This was a long eclectically adventurous day. The first stop of the day was at the Mississippi Welcome Center right off I-10 not far from the Louisiana Mississippi state line. This is an impressive antebellum structure that welcomes all to the Great State of Mississippi. In close proximity to the Welcome Center is the NASA Stennis Space Center – INFINITY Science Center which I toured. This is the visitor center for the Stennis Space Center that includes several rocket engines and a Space Shuttle internal module. A most impressive exhibit was the Saturn VS-1C first stage booster with its five giant F-1 engines acquired from the cancelled Apollo 19 mission. Boosters used on space vehicles are on the bottom of the ocean so this is one of the few preserved boosters in existence The Stennis Center was procured in 1961 and in addition to performing rocket testing it is also home to more than 30 Federal and state organizations, universities, and corporations. One of these agencies is the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI). The NCEI at Stennis downloads analysis data from ocean buoys that monitors the ocean environment worldwide. My next exploration was the Chalmette National Battlefield about 6 miles downriver from New Orleans. This is the site of the January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans during the War of 1812.  General Andrew Jackson led a smaller American force of regulars and volunteers to victory over Britain’s larger more well trained army led by General Edward Pakenham. Adjacent to the battlefield is the Chalmette National Cemetery which was established in 1864 for the Union soldiers who died in Louisiana during the Civil War. The cemetery has over 14,000 headstones  on gravesites of veterans of the Spanish-American War, World Wars I and II, and the Vietnam War. Only four Americans who fought in the War of 1812 are interred here with only one that actually fought in the Battle of New Orleans. I then drove over to the Bucktown area of Metairie, Louisiana to have dinner at the R&O Restaurant and Catering. One of the menu items for which this restaurant is known is its PoBoy Special sandwich which I consumed. All I can say is that it was delicious. I ended the day by driving the 40+ miles back to the Buccaneer State Park for the evening withdrawal. 

4/22/2018 It was raining upon waking this morning so everything slowed down. The rain finally stopped so I went for a drive just for something to do. I drove east as far as Biloxi, Mississippi before turning around. Nothing inspirational happened all day. Upon my return to the Park I proceeded to ready the mobile residence for tomorrow’s departure. I have secured a campsite for 5 nights at the Gulf Islands National Seashore, Fort Pickens Campground. Enough said for today.