The plan was to drive up to Donaldsonville real early, put in at the headwaters of Bayou Lafourche, and paddle until I passed Port Fourchon several days and 106 miles later. Well, we all know what happens to best laid plans... After a late start, we arrived in Donaldsonville to find the bayou full of floating excavating equipment. Orion Marine Group had just started a huge dredging project in Bayou Lafourche with aim to increase the flow of fresh water through the bayou. While this is a much-needed undertaking, it sure didn't help my navigation efforts. After talking to a few foremen and then the main project office, I was finally told that I could start my trip anywhere below the LA HWY 998 bridge in Belle Rose.
Starting in Belle Rose knocked off 8 miles from the headwaters to HWY 998, but more importantly, it meant that I wouldn't be able to kayak the entire bayou. I loaded the kayak and pushed down the slope, under the bridge to what looked like a decent launch. Wrong. I ended up hip-deep in mud. What should have been a 2-minute shove was closer to 10 intense minutes of wrestling with my paddle and boat in the mud.
My first stop was Napoleonville, about 8 miles down the bayou. I coasted right up to the old downtown area and stowed my boat under a bridge (bridges were definitely a theme on this trip). As I ate my first MRE of the trip (Jambalaya), two inmates on riding lawn mowers buzzed around my boat. Their warden came over to talk. He griped about how inmates make bad grass-cutters and then we discussed my trip. After lunch I walked around downtown for a few minutes to view some of Donaldsonville's old architecture.
Random sites as I head further south toward Thibodaux...
A large thunderstorm pins me down, again under a bridge...
Approaching Thibodaux, where I saw more alligators than anywhere else!
My destination for the evening was at Sharon and David Gauthe's home in Thibodaux. This is their bayouside in the photograph below. I can not thank them enough for their hospitality! After 22 miles on the bayou in 105 degree weather (heat index), it was VERY nice to have a shower, chow down on delicious watermelon and cantaloupe, and sleep in a fluffy bed. Also, that coffee in the morning was a great kick-start to day two on the bayou. Thank you so much to the Gauthe's and their daughter Miki who was instrumental in making it all happen. Ya'll are the best!
Taylor, Thanks for sharing!! Bet that was a great experience. Can't wait to see more ole buddy!!!
ReplyDeleteRobbie Gautreaux