Louisiana's Best Tour Routes, Ride 1

    Exiting Lafayette, going east toward Breaux Bridge on La. 94, locally known as the Breaux Bridge Highway, proceed down the hill. Of note, this was the ancient bank of the Mississippi River. This course was its furthest west.
   For side trip 1: At the base of the hill there is a stop light where La. 353 intersects. Take it to the right and go about six miles where just before a bridge, turn left and enter one of the most amazing spots in Louisiana. It is Lake Martin. It is a rookery and during the Spring it is hopping and squacking birds and gators. Bring your camera. In fact, if you are taking the ride I have waiting for you without a camera, you will regret it.
   After taking in the birds, retrace your way back to La. 94 and turn right (east) and continue until you see La.354 turn left (north). To your left you will see a working salt mine, Gargil Salt. The salt is extracted from salt domes. These domes push up and make higher ground. You are at Anse La Butte. "Butte", a table in French.
   The road goes through some swithbacks and then straightens. Have faith, it gets better. The surface is brand new. You will pass by a small sawmill, thus the local name, Sawmill Road. Eventually you will come to a stop sign. Turn left, still on 354. Go a ways and you will come to another stop sign. Turn left (north) onto La.31. You are riding the west bank of Bayou Teche, "teche" meaning "snake". You'll be passing through farm country. Potatos (yams) and sugarcane are grown here along with some soybeans.
   If the time is right, meaning you're hungry, entering Arnaudville, on the right is a pretty good hamburger joint. Nice friendly people. Continuing into Arnaudville, veer right across the bridge. At the light, take a left (west) onto La.347 and turn right at the first street to continue on 347. La.347 will turn left and goes to Leonville. The road passes through some of the back swamp of the Teche. The road is a little rough in spots, but smoothes out. There is no traffic, so ride where you want.
   Entering Leonville, you will come to a stop sign. Take a left (north) onto La. 31 and eventually it will go up a hill, you guessed it, it's the continuation of that old Miss. R. Bank. When you come to the stop sign at La 742, Side Trip 2 is an option.
   If you are a Texan, it could be even more interesting. To the left (west) is Opelousas, one of Jim Bowie's Louisiana homes. At the stop sign you are about 4 miles from the very interesting Jim Bowie Visitor Center and architecture display. Take 742 west until you hit I-49. Take it a short distance north and get off on US 190 west. Going west into Opelousas, it is on your left almost immediately. You could easily spend an hour here.
    Retrace your route back to La.742 passing up the stop sign where you turned toward Opelousas. Be looking to your right for a chance to visit a true Cajun phenomenon Savoie's Meats. They specialize in pork. You will smell it. Your stomach will operate the brakes. It is just before the bridge that crosses what is know as the Little Teche. After eating some Boudin and Cracklins, proceed a short ways east and turn north on La.743.
    Stop at the railroad crossing and walk out on the r.r. bridge for great pictures of the bayou. Get back on your bike and get ready for some curves. This is a classic south Louisiana "twistie" road. Take 743 across US 190. You will go through a small community. Watch for driveways and children. After you pass the Walmart center it is free sailing.
    At La. 103, take a left (west) and go into Washington. This is so good you might just stop here and explore this great town. It is one of Louisiana's "Georgetowns". We have many. It was founded in 1720 as a transfer spot from steamboat to Conostoga wagon and the trip west and north. If antiques, old homes and good food are not your thing, continue north on 103. It is beautiful. You are on the high ground following Bayou Cocodrie (crocodile). At Grand Praire 103 turns left (west),DON'T. Continue straight and join La.363 going north. 363 will run into La.29.Take a left (west) and go into Ville Platte.
   If you like Louisiana Music, go to Floyd's Music shop near where 29 and La 167 south intersect. Stop and ask where it is exactly.
   If not going to Floyd's, turn right (north) onto US 167 and go a short ways until you intersect with La.3042 to the right (east) There will be a sign directing you to Chicot State Park. This ride is awesome. When you get to the park, go in. It's 2 buck and displays so much of Louisiana in one spot.
   Exiting the park, continue right (north) and you will pass Louisiana's Arboretum. It is a nature trail and exhibit explaining our trees. Nice stop.
   Continue on 3042 north until you intersect with La.106 Take a left (west) on La.106 until you get to Chicot, the town. There take a right (north) on La.167. You are starting to gain some altitude, ear's popping? Take 167 into Turkey Creek.
   When you get to Turkey Cr., take La.13 north less than a block and turn left (west) onto the Glenmora Rd. You are now on the Turkey Cr. Twisties, enjoy. Brand new blacktop all way to Glenmora. There is a 5 mph curve, do it, there is gravel on this 90 degree turn. And, when it says,"Slow, children" in the one small community on this road, be slow and respectful.
   At US 165, take a right and go into Glenmora. At the stop light take a right (east) and go into their little main street. It is great. There is a biker friendly restaurant on the left, Reggie's. After getting a bite, coffee, pie. Take a right (north) onto La 497, right before the railroad tracks you crossed coming into town. Pass through McNary, obey the speed limit unless you want to pay. Continue until you see the Louisiana Forestry center sign on the left. Check it out. It is an old lumbering operation of the late 1800's and early to mid 1900's. It is a short distance off the road. It has guided tours on the weekend
    You are now in Kisatchie National Forest country. Notice any difference? At Forest Hill (La's plant nursery capital) take La.112 right (east) until you get I-49. Take I49 south a few miles until the intesection with US 167, exit. Take a left after exiting I-49. Continue north on US 167 until you see the sign for Loyds Hall on the right. Turn right on Loyd's Bridge Rd. Stop at Loyd's Hall for pictures. Check on tours.
     Continue, the road will change name to Bayou Rd. Behind Chenyville there is a very old Episcopal chruch and graveyard that warrants stopping. Bayou Road enters Bunkie as La 1177. There take a right (south) on US 71. In town take a right and visit the Bailey Hotel. Take a right (west) on La.115 which will be straight until you go under I-49 where it starts following another bayou and the twisties start again.
     You are headed back to Chicot Country. When 115 hits 106, take a left (east) and go till you see the sign to the North Landing on the right. It will be just before and next to the Cleco electric plant. Do this, it is beautiful. Watch for deer.
     Return to 106 and proceed right (east) until the stop sign. The body of water you crossed at the bridge is Bayou Beouf. You are where Jim Bowie had a lumbering business. At the stop sign, take a right (south) onto La.29. When it turns right, DON'T. Keep straight onto La.182. Watch for the old Methodist Church and civil war graveyard at Whiteville. It is off the road to the right, so just the small sign leads the way. A must.
     La. 182 intersects La.10, take a right (west) and go back into Washington. At the stop light, take a left (south) onto La. 103. continue out of town and enjoy the twisties. Again a bayou creates "interesting" roads. When 103 turns right toward Port Barre, take it. Go into Porte Barre, obeying the speed limit. 103 hits US 190, but 103 continues with it east (right) for a short ways and then 103 turns left (south) and leaves 190.You are headed back to Leonville. Entering Leonville take a left (south) onto La.31. You are on the east side of Bayou Teche.
    When you get to the stop sign in Arnaudville, take a right, (east), following La 31. Take 31 south across the bridge and proceed out of town. When you get to La. 354, take it to the right. When 354 takes a right (south) don't. Continue onto 341 and when 341 hits La. 31 take a right (south). Immediately on the left is Poche's . Stop and eat. Buy some boudin, whatever, but eat here. Plate lunches. Degree of hot, your choice: hot, hotter, hottest, hottest hot. But oooom. Whatever. Do this. If you can, get back on your bike and go south on La. 31 until it hits La 94 in Breaux Bridge. Turn right (east) and head back to Lafayette. 250 miles or less. You full cher?

Bayou to Bayou

    The route below is titled "Bayou to Bayou" because basically that is what the route does. It goes from one bayou to the next. This is my favorite way to travel in the state. Bayous and rivers provide great winding roads, fun on a bike, great scenery and lush vegetation, making it cool and shady in the summer.
     Historically, the waterways were where the population was and a means of transportation. So, if you are looking for historical sites, the rivers and bayous are the place to go.
     There is another thing. Being next to a levee makes one realize that we really are not in control. Being in the proximity of power is awing, like being next to a volcano. Dormant, how long? Powers of the past and presest all around you while you become part of it.
      This is getting a little deep, so I'll ease up. Get off the Interstates and plan your trip as close to the water as you can and you will see what I mean. Below is a template for such an outing.

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