2022 Fall Trip: On to Gulf Shores, Alabama

Monday, 10/10: 203 miles, parked at the Lafayette KOA in Scott, Louisiana

US 90 to Beaumont, then I-10

One of the new patio sites at Lafayette KOA, site 313 

 On the road about 9:45, arrived 1:15.  That's going to be pretty typical for our drives the next few days. We took US 90 from Houston to Beaumont, where we picked up Interstate 10 for the rest of the trip. It was sunny and warm when we arrived, and we had a beautiful patio site in a newer section at the back of the manmade lake.  This is a nice KOA that was only about half full.

The drive Tuesday is a shorter one, so we had lots of time this morning to dawdle.  Judy decided it would be a good time to run a couple loads of laundry, which we usually do once a week anyway when traveling.  While she was doing that, I went for diesel fuel. Scott, Louisiana advertises itself as the Boudin Capital of the World.  I discovered that when I saw this City of Scott logo on a municipal pickup truck while I was filling up with diesel.

A short Google search revealed 2 things.  First, boudin is a traditional Cajun pork and rice sausage.  Spruce Eats has a great explanation @ https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-boudin-4782417 .  Second, a well know boudin meat shop is located right next to the campground.  So while the laundry was in the dryer, we made a shopping trip and we came away with several items for the fridge, including crawfish boudin and smoked boudin. We also bought some authentic Cajun seasoning and Creole seasoning. 

Tuesday, 10/11: 136 miles, parked at Fontainebleau State Park, Mendeville, LA

We finally got on the road about 11:00 for Fontainebleau after an already busy morning.

Interstate 10 all the way today

Fontainebleau State Park, site 8

Fontainebleau is a beautiful State Park located on the North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain. The campground is a small part of a much larger park that includes the remains of a sugar plantation and sugar mill, along with hiking trails and a beach on the shore of the lake.

Slave cabins used to be located under these trees.

Remains of old sugar mill

North Shore of Lake Pontchartrain

Walkway to Lake Pontchartrain pier and beach

Live oak grove

Live Oak and Spanish Moss

I didn't realize it when we traveled this route on the way to Houston, but when we crossed the Atchafalaya Basin Bridge, it is the third longest bridge in the United States. Wikipedia states @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atchafalaya_Basin_Bridge that the bridge is 18 miles long, and also ranks as the 14th longest bridge in the world.  The Atchafalaya is the largest wetland and swamp in the United States.

According to https://www.atchafalaya.org/atchafalaya-basin, the Atchafalaya Basin is the nations largest bottomland and swamp.  At almost one millions acres, it is larger than the Florida Everglades.

Credit: https://basinbuddies.org/

Like many of our stops on this trip, we are discovering that one night is just not enough.  There is always more to see and learn than what we can do in one afternoon.  The next time we come to Southern Louisiana, Fontainebleau State Park will definitely be a much longer stop for us.

Wednesday, 10/12: 185 miles, parked at Gulf State Park, Gulf Shores, Alabama

I-10 to US 59 South to Gulf Shores

Gulf State Park, site 460

Toasting our arrival at Gulf State Park

It took us about 4 hours to make the drive today, right in our comfort zone.  This is our fourth time to camp here.  We love this park with the large sites, paved roads, warm weather and 20 plus miles of paved hiking and biking trails.  In fact, we were here this past April for a week.

The main goal this week is R and R, "Rest and Relaxation!!"  We got the bikes out and enjoyed some of the trails.  We did some casual shopping and had a fabulous lunch at The Wharf at Orange Beach.  We made  some wonderful gourmet home cooked meals.  We found time for sitting out under the awning and reading.  We even fit in our weekly laundry chore.  Sounds like we were busy, right?  But no, it was just a wonderful week of pacing and enjoying ourselves.  And on top of all that, we enjoyed it all during wonderful sunny 85 degree weather. 

Yachts at the Intercoastal Harbor at The Wharf, Orange Beach

Main Street at The Wharf

Pan seared white fish at Villaggio Grille

Scallop and arugula salad at Villaggio Grille

Judy's new RAD ebike.

Paved hiking and biking trail

Armadillo Run hiking trail

Grilling under the lights

Jupiter rising over the camper

Long leaf pines in the evening sky

Harvesting sod.  We went for a ride in the country expecting to
see cotton fields. However, no cotton but many turf grass farms instead.

Huge sod farm

Good bye Gulf Shores.  See you in April.

So ends our pleasant and very relaxing 7 day stay in Gulf Shores.  We love this State Park with the large RV sites, warm spring and fall weather, interesting and different foliage, interesting hiking trails, and the over 20 miles of paved biking trails.  We have already made reservations for 11 nights next April here.

Now we start our trek northeast for the final push home.  Cape Hatteras for 5 days first, then a weekend in West Virginia with family and home November 1st.