Lake Charles Revisited--February 2

    
     Well, I am going to try to replicate our adventures in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The Sam Houston Jones State Park has been a wonderful opportunity to explore the area, hike or use our bikes. The dogs are enjoying the fresh air after spending  a few days confined to the trailer in New Orleans.

                             These bad boys didn't give a hoot we were taking pictures of them

                                            No antlers yet!
                                                                                                                                                       

                               This bridge to nowhere actually connects two areas of the swamp.
                                     

I always have a hard time getting a good picture of these guys sticking their necks out, but finally this guy indulged me.

This duck was dipping in the water for food. I do not know what the correct name for this duck is,but stay tunes I will try to find out.

This little kitty seems to be a resident of the rangers cabin where the naturalist talks to the campers about wildlife and such about the area.

                                          Sometimes you just have to sit on a log.

                                                           Just like a postcard
                         
     The weather prediction for the next few days is "warm and sunny" so we plan to take advantage of it with plenty of outdoor activities. Nancy is feeling a little better today, so away we go!
     We are taking a drive along a portion of the Creole Trail. It is actually a drive that meanders south about one hundred fifty miles or so and loops back up to Lake Charles. We are planning to see the city afterwards and have dinner there.
     We had a great day. Along the way we enjoyed the trails and watched a local family catch Blue Crabs. They actually throw chicken legs tied to string into the canals and bring up crabs hanging off the legs. They were happy to let us take a photo and see their catch on ice in the cooler on the back of their truck. I can't believe how blue they really are, kind of laguna blue if you can picture that.

     We stopped along the way and took two strolls along the boardwalks to observe birds and wildlife in the marshy surrounding areas.  We also noticed how the local wildlife had their sights on us so we didn't dilly dally in getting back to our cars. Mosquitoes are very friendly in Louisiana.

                                                      Just checking for Crocks!

               Fred is looking for the end. He whined the whole way, it's so far.(less than 2 miles)

                                                         I see you there!
    
     Today is Nancy's birthday and we plan taking her to Steamboat Bill's Seafood Restaurant. They have a good reputation for fine seafood. Our timing was perfect, we got right in.  We ate like kings and the line to get in when we left was crazy.

                                                       The Birthday Girl

     After we waddled home, we said good night, and turned in.

                                                      Amazing sunset.