This is another favorite route out of the Lafayette area. It enters the "country" as quickly as possible. There are still pockets of beauty very close to Lafayette. From I-49, just north of its intersection with I-10, is La.98, or locally known as Gloria Switch Rd. Take it east until you cross a bridge. Take a left on Wilderness Trail. Please be careful and obey the speed limit.There is an RV park (Bayou Wilderness RV Park, (337)8960598, here, where, if you are here in a "rig", it is centrally located. I know nothing more about the place. There is stuff to see along here, plus a feeling of how things use to be, more as you go further out. Wilderness Trail will intersect with La.726 at the stop sign. Take a left (west), for a short ways. Be looking for Arnaudville Rd. to your right (north). You will cross Carencro Bayou, a tributary of the Vermillion R. You are now on Bayou Fuselier Rd. The bayou is on your left. It is a distributary of Teche Bayou and also joins the Vermillion near the bridge you crossed. Bayou Fuselier Rd. terminates at La.93. Take a left (west). This is a great twisty road going into quaint and historical Grand Coteau. Grand Coteau is heavily patrolled with speed traps. 35 mph, do it. Antique shops, a religious center, very old homes and great restaurants line the main street.
Leaving Grand Coteau on 93,going west, you will pass under I-49 and go into Sunset. Turn right (north) onto 182 and soak in the small town that Sunset is. Take a left (west) on La.93. Shortly, you will be turning right (west) on La.356. Immediately you will see Chretien Point Road on your right (north) Take this and see the splender that is Chretien Point Plantation. It was connected with the making of "Gone With The Wind". Stop and check for tours. Exiting the plantation, retrace your way back to La.356 and take a right (west). You will be going to Bristol. Check out the old store and buildings there. There is somthing about Bristol. Maybe it'll hit you, too.
Continue on La.356 (west) until you intersect with La.95. If you would like to check out Church Point and get a bite to eat, take a right (north) on 95. You will retrace to this spot and continue south on 95 until you hit 1100 and take a right (south). When 1100 hits La.98, take a right (west). I like 98. It is scenic and offers a few curves, also. 98 goes through Rayne, the "Frog Capial of the World". Follow 98 out (north) and it twist and turns through the countryside. When you see 1111 to your left (south) take it into Crowley. Crowley is the "Rice Capital of the World". Explore Crowley. The Victorian homes in this town are awing. There was money here. 1111 will run into US 90.Go west. Leaving town, US 90 hits La. 13 south. Take it until you see "Junction La. 3007". Take a right (west)on Airport Rd. at this point. Cross La.1124 and continue to La.91, taking a left and dropping due south watching the terrain change. La. 91 will hit La.714. Take a right (west) Continue straight. It will turn into Point Rd. Point Rd. hits La.14.Take it north into Lake Arthur. Lake Arthur (my link) is a very neat little town with a beautiful park and "boardwalk". You might even want to check out the LA Bar. I think this was a resort area for those further north in the early 1900's. It has a beach on the lake. Very pretty spot. Leave Lake Arthur on La.14 (west) until you intersect with La.3056 for a visit to the Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge. (my link) Return to Lake Arthur and proceed north on La.26 until you see La. 102 on the right (east) Take 102 north until you see La.1126 to your right. Take it until you hit US 90 (east) Shortly after Mermentau take La.92 right (south) 92 is very picturesque. and just flows through the countryside. La. 92 will take you to La.182. Take a left (north) and you are back at Lafayette. Sore Butt?
But you can say that you saw stuff that's not on the beaten trail. |
