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The Cajun Loop
- Thread starter texasair
- Start date
bcassal":3c8wyikq said:The Crayfish Festival sounds like a gas.
I might just be ready for the Cajun Loop!
I'll stay in touch
When you are in Louisiana, please call it the Crawfish Festival or we will not know what you are talking about. :lol:
Sounds like a great trip, we may put it on our agenda for next year.
I did not mean to imply that I thought any change in your plans should be made. You have a good loop planned and due to my wife's work we can not be gone that long. If we decide to do La. instead of the Carolina Loop then we would have a shorter trip. If we do it maybe we can meet you in Breaux Bridge at the crawfish festival. We would make that the end of our trip and the 7 mile run for the truck would be no problem.
Good luck on the planning and the trip.
Ron
Good luck on the planning and the trip.
Ron
Tex, I think we might be able to make the trip. If you are launching on Thursday 5/5, that will work fine for us. Joyce has a gig on thursday 5/12. Its 12+ driving time to get home, so if we can make it work on that end, we can make it. It sounds like your schedule is still developing. I'll stay tuned.
Oh... we Hoosiers generally call 'em "crawdads.
Bruce
Oh... we Hoosiers generally call 'em "crawdads.
Bruce
flrockytop
New member
texasair":2pfos95v said:It is a good mix of the big River with ocean going ships, sleepy bayous lined with Cypress and moss covered Oaks, Lake Ponchatrain, and cajun Music and culture. There are several places to stop along the way for gas, ice, supplies. First week in May? could be hot with mosquitos, or may be nippy requiring a jacket.
This is about the same time of the year that I made Leg I of my Super Loop". At night in the back country there WILL be mosquitos, millions of them. I am still finding dead one trapped in the seams of my screens.
If timing works out to where you just make it through the Industrial Lock but not have time to cross the river, there is a fantastic floating dock on the river side of the lock. It is a great place to spend the night. The lockmaster told me about it. I think there is also one on the none river side of the Harvey lock. I'll have to check by trip blog on that one.
If anyone should need assistance Mary Jo's cousin lives in Franklin. I'm sure he would be glad to help anyone in need. Give me a call and I'll dispatch him.
http://superloop2009.blogspot.com/searc ... -results=7
Have fun. Wish I could join along but still recovering from Key West.
Roger
flrockytop
New member
I don't know if you would need gas this soon or not but just about 10 miles West of the Harvey Lock is a place called Crown Point (29 45.8N 90 05.4W). There is a land based convenient store right on the ICW. It even has a small dock. Its about a 200 foot walk from the dock to the gas pump. Here are my notes from the blog.
1215 Found a land based gas station right on the ICW at Crown Point. It even had a very small dock. I used the 5 gal tank I brought and the little wheeled cart and got 30 gals. 25 for port tank and 5 for the portable tank. $51.50
Roger
1215 Found a land based gas station right on the ICW at Crown Point. It even had a very small dock. I used the 5 gal tank I brought and the little wheeled cart and got 30 gals. 25 for port tank and 5 for the portable tank. $51.50
Roger
We are still planning and have not compiled exact distances yet.
I have 2 land trips scheduled to this area prior to May and will be exploring gas options on those trips
We are about a month a way, and wonder if plans have firmed up--people going, exact dates, mooring near the crawfish festival, or where we should be making individual plans.
Our plan is on the water from home, so we will probably start two days earlier. Most likely stay in MS. the first night, and meet up with the gang the second day.
I also may take my RV over that way (Speedco for yearly lube and oil change) in the next week or so.
We are still planning on the original schedule that was proposed. I am sure that during the loop we may make some adjustments.
Everyone is welcome to set their own schedule and route. The only hard dates and times are May 6th 7th and 8th for the Crawfish festival. We will probably stay only 2 of the 3 days at the Festival. After the Festival we will just "play it by ear". The options after returning to Morgan City after the Crawfish Festival would be the longer route up the Atchafalaya river to join the Mississippi well north of Baton Rouge, or the shorter Port Allen route that joins the Mississippi at Baton Rouge. Due to our personal time constraints if we decide to do the side trip to Avery Island, the shorter Port Allen return route might be our choice.
I know that Lyle and Janda on "See Saw" are going to be traveling somewhere in the general area in the weeks prior to our arrival. They plan to join us Tuesday morning 3 May on the north shore of Ponchatrain near Covington at the Marina Del Ray Marina boat ramp. A couple of others have expressed interest but at this point, I think it is just Bixby's Cub, Thataway and See Saw.
I know the cell phone service is generally very good in the areas that we will be traveling, once we exchange cell numbers it will be easy for those not on the exact route and schedule to hook up.
We are leaving Monday 4 April for a few days in the area by land yacht and will be scouting facilities and fuel possibilities.
Everyone is welcome to set their own schedule and route. The only hard dates and times are May 6th 7th and 8th for the Crawfish festival. We will probably stay only 2 of the 3 days at the Festival. After the Festival we will just "play it by ear". The options after returning to Morgan City after the Crawfish Festival would be the longer route up the Atchafalaya river to join the Mississippi well north of Baton Rouge, or the shorter Port Allen route that joins the Mississippi at Baton Rouge. Due to our personal time constraints if we decide to do the side trip to Avery Island, the shorter Port Allen return route might be our choice.
I know that Lyle and Janda on "See Saw" are going to be traveling somewhere in the general area in the weeks prior to our arrival. They plan to join us Tuesday morning 3 May on the north shore of Ponchatrain near Covington at the Marina Del Ray Marina boat ramp. A couple of others have expressed interest but at this point, I think it is just Bixby's Cub, Thataway and See Saw.
I know the cell phone service is generally very good in the areas that we will be traveling, once we exchange cell numbers it will be easy for those not on the exact route and schedule to hook up.
We are leaving Monday 4 April for a few days in the area by land yacht and will be scouting facilities and fuel possibilities.
texasair":uzluefcq said:Just returned from several days of scouting the south Louisianna route.
Due to problems at several of the locks that we would need to pass as well as the river condition with heavy debris,
We are going to put this trip on hold for another time.
Would late October or early November be too late?
Just a couple of questions, are you still planning on going to the crawfish festival by land yacht? My wife and I are planning on going down and I thought we might tie up and discuss the loop at your later date. My cell number is (256) 318-4608 and we will be staying in New Iberia on the 7th and 8th. Rooms are gone nearer Beaux Bridge. Also was the lock on Bayou Teche one with a problem? Don't think we are going to trailer the boat this trip but have considered it and tie up at Beaux Bridge. Please keep us posted on your trip and give me a call if you are down for the festival. Ron
After my scouting, I found that I did not have enough local information to take on the role of "admiral" sheparding a fleet of 4 or 5 C-dorys through unfamiliar waters. There are close to 30 small drawbridges on Bayou Teche alone, Some operated by the state, some operated by the county, some private operators, and one owned and operated by LSU. None are attended, and the operators are on call. Only 1 operator for all the state bridges and if he is following a tugboat pushing a sugar barge opening bridges for him as he goes, it could be 18-36 hours before he could open the one we need opened. Many of the small C-Dorys could pass under most unopened bridges, but 25's, Tomcats and 22's with a radar arch would have to wait for an operator for most bridges.
Add to the above, Slow scheduling at the Mississippi River locks, Construction in progress at the Bayou Sorrell Lock, Runaway tugboat damage to the Bayou Sorrell swing bridge, high water flows with resulting floting debris and I felt much more homework and research needed to be done prior to undertaking the entire 450 mile loop
At this time I think that we are going to trailer over to bayou country on May 2 and make a series of short 1-3 day forays, trailering between various locations. We may do a day or 2 in the Bayou Teche on the part north of St Martinville with a stop at the Crawfish festival
This will keep us from getting stranded at a distant lock or inoperable swing bridge. It will also allow us to absorb more local knowledge that we hope to put to use on a future better researched "cajun loop".
Anyone interested in a large and very detailed navagational map of the entire Atchafalaya Basin can recieve one free of charge by mail by calling Dana at the Louisianna DNR at 225-342-6437
Depending on time constraints I would like to trailer over near Slidell to the Pearl River. I have heard some good things about that river, but have not able to find much on the net as to how far one can navigate upstream.
If we have the time, A little poking around that area may be in order. Anyone that has Pearl River navagation info please chime in.
Tex and Sharon
Bixby's Cub
Add to the above, Slow scheduling at the Mississippi River locks, Construction in progress at the Bayou Sorrell Lock, Runaway tugboat damage to the Bayou Sorrell swing bridge, high water flows with resulting floting debris and I felt much more homework and research needed to be done prior to undertaking the entire 450 mile loop
At this time I think that we are going to trailer over to bayou country on May 2 and make a series of short 1-3 day forays, trailering between various locations. We may do a day or 2 in the Bayou Teche on the part north of St Martinville with a stop at the Crawfish festival
This will keep us from getting stranded at a distant lock or inoperable swing bridge. It will also allow us to absorb more local knowledge that we hope to put to use on a future better researched "cajun loop".
Anyone interested in a large and very detailed navagational map of the entire Atchafalaya Basin can recieve one free of charge by mail by calling Dana at the Louisianna DNR at 225-342-6437
Depending on time constraints I would like to trailer over near Slidell to the Pearl River. I have heard some good things about that river, but have not able to find much on the net as to how far one can navigate upstream.
If we have the time, A little poking around that area may be in order. Anyone that has Pearl River navagation info please chime in.
Tex and Sharon
Bixby's Cub
We did not try the "Cajun Loop" and it was well that we did not. Each of the locks that we needed to pass were experiencing 2-3 day delays due to slow downs from the rising river. A couple of the bridges on the Bayou Teche, my slick top 22 just passed under with inches to spare. We did spend a couple of weeks trailering and exploring several different bodies of water and gained very much local knowledge. At some point in the future I still would like to try the Morgan City, Baton Rouge, New Orleans loop. (about 300 mile loop by Port Allen canal, about 450 by the Atchafalaya) Below is a brief report on our trip:
We recently returned from a 2 week trip to southern Louisiana on our 1989 22' C-Dory cruiser "Bixby's Cub". We were joined by fellow C-Brats, Lyle and Janda from Amarillo on their 16' C-Dory cruiser "See-Saw". We spent part of the time in the Swamp and Bayou country around Breaux Bridge, and part of the time in the lower Mississippi River between New Orleans and the Gulf.
First we toured the Bayou Teche and Henderson swamp areas near Lafayette. We went up the bayou Teche from St. Martinville, (home of Evangeline) to Breaux Bridge. In St Martinville we visited the famous Evangeline Oak and toured a 1800's plantation home. We timed our trip to be in Breaux Bridge for the Crawfish festival and docked the boats in the Bayou just a 2 block walk from the festival site. The nice thing about arriving by boat is that we did not have to deal with the traffic. The festival is a great time, 3 stages with cajun dance music, free cajun dance lessons and tons of wonderful cajun food of all types, including crawfish fixed dozens of ways, alligator and frog legs.
We also did a couple of days in the Henderson Swamp near Butte Larose which is now underwater. They had not yet opened the Morganza floodway so all was at normal levels when we were there.
Headed east with the trailers in tow, we stopped at the Weddell-Williams Aviation and sawmill museum in Patterson.
The Mississippi River was at record heights and just a week away from cresting. The current was running over 5mph with lots of logs and debris. We launched at Venice and went upstream 100 miles to New Orleans and back to the Gulf at Mississippi River Mile marker "0". In New Orleans listening to steam Calliope on the sternwheeler "Natchez" was a unique musical experience. At New Orleans we were floating on the river, level with the rooftops of 2 story buildings. The water was around 4-5 feet below the top of the levee. When we passed by New Orleans a couple of years ago on our trip from the headwaters we were 20-30 feet below the levee. Most river depths were near 100' although we did pass some sections where the sounder read 150'. In just a few days we passed or were passed by 100's of ocean going ships of all types, including a couple of very large cruise ships as well as tugs and barges of all sizes and shapes. A major portion of the commerce of the heartland does indeed pass down this great river.
We had a great time and the south Louisianna folks are as friendly as Texans. We will be back on the big river with the midwest C-Brats at Guttenberg in Sept.
Tex and Sharon on Bixby's Cub
We recently returned from a 2 week trip to southern Louisiana on our 1989 22' C-Dory cruiser "Bixby's Cub". We were joined by fellow C-Brats, Lyle and Janda from Amarillo on their 16' C-Dory cruiser "See-Saw". We spent part of the time in the Swamp and Bayou country around Breaux Bridge, and part of the time in the lower Mississippi River between New Orleans and the Gulf.
First we toured the Bayou Teche and Henderson swamp areas near Lafayette. We went up the bayou Teche from St. Martinville, (home of Evangeline) to Breaux Bridge. In St Martinville we visited the famous Evangeline Oak and toured a 1800's plantation home. We timed our trip to be in Breaux Bridge for the Crawfish festival and docked the boats in the Bayou just a 2 block walk from the festival site. The nice thing about arriving by boat is that we did not have to deal with the traffic. The festival is a great time, 3 stages with cajun dance music, free cajun dance lessons and tons of wonderful cajun food of all types, including crawfish fixed dozens of ways, alligator and frog legs.
We also did a couple of days in the Henderson Swamp near Butte Larose which is now underwater. They had not yet opened the Morganza floodway so all was at normal levels when we were there.
Headed east with the trailers in tow, we stopped at the Weddell-Williams Aviation and sawmill museum in Patterson.
The Mississippi River was at record heights and just a week away from cresting. The current was running over 5mph with lots of logs and debris. We launched at Venice and went upstream 100 miles to New Orleans and back to the Gulf at Mississippi River Mile marker "0". In New Orleans listening to steam Calliope on the sternwheeler "Natchez" was a unique musical experience. At New Orleans we were floating on the river, level with the rooftops of 2 story buildings. The water was around 4-5 feet below the top of the levee. When we passed by New Orleans a couple of years ago on our trip from the headwaters we were 20-30 feet below the levee. Most river depths were near 100' although we did pass some sections where the sounder read 150'. In just a few days we passed or were passed by 100's of ocean going ships of all types, including a couple of very large cruise ships as well as tugs and barges of all sizes and shapes. A major portion of the commerce of the heartland does indeed pass down this great river.
We had a great time and the south Louisianna folks are as friendly as Texans. We will be back on the big river with the midwest C-Brats at Guttenberg in Sept.
Tex and Sharon on Bixby's Cub
Tex, Sorry that I did not give you a call at the Crawfish festival but I could not hear my phone with all the activity and bands. Missed a couple of calls from home since I could not hear it ring.
Sounds as though you had a good trip. We went by car and stayed in New Iberia. Sat. at the festival and other time visiting with Cajun friends in the basin. In fact when we left on Sunday afternoon many of the residents were moving items out of Butte La Rose. You are right that the people there are great and maybe we will meet there sometime.
Ron
Sounds as though you had a good trip. We went by car and stayed in New Iberia. Sat. at the festival and other time visiting with Cajun friends in the basin. In fact when we left on Sunday afternoon many of the residents were moving items out of Butte La Rose. You are right that the people there are great and maybe we will meet there sometime.
Ron