April 13, Sunday, day 38: sights, sounds, smells.

30 mile-per-hour quartering headwind today on the ride from Lake Charles to Lafayette Louisiana (the second bubble on the map).

Texas hotels had waffle irons producing waffles in the shape of Texas. Louisiana hotel waffle irons produce waffles with a Fleur de lis.

We passed a cemetery on our way out of town. Note that the crypts are above ground, presumably due to the high water table.

The terrain was featureless, a few bridges, but otherwise it was a "Point A to Point B" ride.  

Most of the water in rivers and swamps that I have seen is brown.  They do have alligators.

The moist climate also harbors peep frogs who can be heard early in the morning as we depart and ride through the watery countryside.  Also hear lots of birds who love the insects and the crawfish farms.  Pictures of those farms coming tomorrow. 

We smell the swamplands, the farms, occasionally the sweetness of honeysuckle, and as we first entered Louisiana the rotten egg smell of a pulp mill.  (remember the logging trucks?)

We are eating Cajun food tonight at Randols.  The menu includes fried catfish, broiled catfish, crawfish étouffée, seafood gumbo, and other local delicacies.  And a Zydeco band. 

Our hotel tonight was dismal.    Fortunately a Best Western Plus is across the street and I have booked a lovely room for myself.  :-)

I am really hoping that I find things to like about Louisiana over the next few days.  Rain is in the forecast, so keep fingers crossed!!