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| I got out the map and looked at what might be available as a ride to somewhere close I hadn't been to before. There really are a lot of places, still, but none that looked that inviting. I'm hemmed in to the immediate east by the Atchafalaya Basin and on the west by Lafayette. Both of which require a lot of evasive riding to get by. I've been intrigued lately with the land I call Sugarcane Alley, basically South Louisiana west of Morgan City until you get to Rice Country. So, I looked down there. I really wanted a four hour ride and nothing more. I also wanted to look at the Gulf, an uncommon experience for those of us in this coastal state. There just isn't that much solid ground bordering the Gulf. That, there is, requires crossing marsh, usually. |
| Then I saw La.317. It dropped like a line and sinker from Centerville on La,182/US 90, straight to the Gulf and the community of Burns. I did a "as the bird flies" measurement from the house and it was 44 miles, by road, couldn't be more than double that, and wasn't. Perfect. Away I went. I didn't care what I found, it was new and near. |
| Crossing the Intracoastal Waterway is like entering the wilds to me. In my part of the state it seems to be a barrier against "cosmoplitan influences". There are communities. But, these people are different. They are rugged, from stong stock. Farmers, ranchers, trappers, oil field workers. There is a lot to contend with in this part of Louisiana and it takes hardy people. |
| The existence of this nice bridge attest to the presence of the oil industry in mass south of here. I remember my father having ot go to Bayou Sale' (sally) back in the 60's. It has been "oil patch" for a long time. I thought I would be entering a land of pipes and fumes. I actually could count only 2 medium sized manufacturing enterprises on the Canal and maybe one north of the bridge. There were oil company landings, a few Christmas trees, (oil/gas speak) and that was it. The trip was made up of historical, agrarian, and marsh scenes. And, the Gulf. |
| The road ran along sugarcane fields with occational thick groupings of beautiful oaks. I believe these spots signified that there had been a home or church on that spot at one time. This cemetery, I think, supports that thesis. |
| I need to research this home. It was beautiful in a beautiful setting. I will add what I find asap. |
| This store and home looked to have been recently occupied. On my return, the yard on the cottage was being mowed. It's new roof signifies, to me, that she might still have a future. Looks like a great camp. Why do I show you funky stores and old run down houses? I like funky and I hope a couple of you do, too. I can't tell you what that store was like, but I've been in many like it, and, they are enjoyable places to visit. Wish it had been open. |
| This is the levee which protects Bayou Sale's residents. It would, also, if not mistaken, mark the salt water barrier. This I am just becoming interested in. And, as far as this goes, I am a tourist in my own neighborhood. More research. I'm not past the first page and I already have 2 assignments. This is a tough school. |
| More |
| Click Here to see a map of the trip and then hit your back button to return. |
| Looking west form the top of the bridge. To the right is north. You knew that. Very symbolic picture. The lighted land is civilization. The dark is wild. Not really, but makes for a good story. |
| Burns? |