My adventure tank was running dangerously low and I had a whole day off where I didn't have to work either job. I had a hankering for a short road trip so I searched for hiking trails within about an hour of where I live. With very few choices, my friend Madison and I selected our destination and our journey began. A simple 30 minute drive from I-10, Lake Fausse Point seems to have all the amenities. A beautiful lake to boat on, a reasonably sized campground, and even hiking trails with backpacking camping spots. Being about an hour southeast of where I live I should have known that the scenery wouldn't be much different than home. In fact if you aren't in the mood for a road trip but would love to go hiking you can experience the same sights and sounds right here in Lafayette at the Acadiana Nature Station, minus the lake. I would love to go back and kayak that beautiful lake but until then you'll just have to settle for hearing about 2 out of the 3 hiking trails that they offer. That's right, this trip was so spur of the moment that we didn't even have time to do all of the hiking trails. Bummer. But it's not too far away so I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities to return and continue my exploration. After exiting I-10 you have about 30 minutes of curvy roads and driving next to a levee before you reach the park. Along the way there were tons of these strange boxes stacked along side the tree line, our best guest was beekeeping boxes. If you're a box expert and have traveled this way and seen the oddities please let us know what they are, it's still puzzling us... Once you reach the park you have to stop at the booth where you'll pay $2 per person for day use. Continue straight and follow the road until you see the trail head on the right and a parking lot on the left. The time estimates were pretty accurate and I loved that they included them on their trail maps so we knew what we would have time for. Unfortunately the longest and probably most interesting one didn't fit into our schedule. So we traversed trails A and B for a total of almost 2 and a half miles and about 45 minutes. Trail A, what can I say about Trail A? Not much honestly. If you have little adventurers this is the perfect trail for them. Just the right length and flat terrain. However if you're a native of Louisiana without little adventurers and are looking for an interesting hike, this is not the trail you're looking for. For me it was too short and too simple. Not much to see either. If it's your first time in southern Louisiana you get to see the plants native to the area so it might still be of interest to you. Trail B was an improvement, although ever so slightly. Almost twice the distance this trail provided more opportunity for excitement. We experienced boardwalks and a very very small change in elevation which could very well have been our favorite part. Besides that it was very similar to Trail A. Highlighting our hiking trip was probably the cluster of caterpillars on a tree. It was very intriguing and I later learned that they cluster like this to appear as a bigger organism in hopes to deter predators. Neat! Although we had passed the "Scenic Overlook" on the way into Trail B, we decided to leave it as the finale of our hike. So as we completed the loop of Trail B we detoured onto the "scenic overlook" marked on the trail map. I don't know about you but when I see the words scenic overlook on a map I think something like a spot on the top of a big hill with breathtaking scenery. But this deceiving term scenic overlook has fooled me before on another hike so I don't know why I let it happen again. Their idea of a scenic overlook is a dock that just barely extends into the water and provides a view of the lake. Heck, there was a better view from the bridge you cross to get to the hiking trails. The view was pretty, don't get me wrong, I just hate being deceived. It wasn't the grand view that "scenic overlook" preps you for. While I may have seemed like a Debbie Downer throughout this review there were things that I loved about these trails. They are clearly marked, even though its not really necessary because the trails themselves are well kept and distinguished. Every trail made a convenient sized loop so there was no getting to the end of the trail and having to turn around and walk back. There is a trail for every schedule. One for a quick walk, one for a longer stroll, and one for the hiking enthusiast looking to spend more time on the trails. As for traveling an hour just to hike these trails I'm not so sure it's worth the drive, maybe if we had more time to do Trail C. So make it a day of boating and hiking if you're planning a day trip and give yourself plenty of time. Even better make it a weekend with camping too! The main points: If you're looking for a nice stroll in the Louisiana swampy wilderness this could be the hike for you. If you're looking for a challenging trail with new and exciting sights this may not be the hike for you. THERE WERE SWARMS OF MOSQUITOES! Bring your bugspray if you don't want to get eaten alive. There's a $2 per person entry fee. I give Lake Fausse Point Hiking Trails A and B Happy Hiking!
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Lake Martin Breaux Bridge, Louisiana 70517 It's easy to find and easy to access. Lake Martin is no doubt a rapidly growing tourist destination for the Lafayette area. A little snow cone hut, kayak rentals, and swamp tours are just the beginning of this lake. A boat will occasionally roam the waters carrying foreigners and a tour guides voice that struggles to be heard over the motor. Local fisherman's boats buzz by from time to time. Anglers of all skill levels occupy the shore. But the real magic happens when you silently witness the life of the lake as you glide along the still surface in your kayak. Tourists come from all over to see "Louisiana Swamp" and the lake does not disappoint. It carries the most prominent features like gators galore, bald cypress trees by the dozen, and beautiful birds such as Great Egrets and Great Blue Herons. But if you're looking to make those life long memories a motor boat tour isn't the way to go. Being able to explore the lake and its wonders for ourselves is something I will always cherish. Getting just that much closer to the majestic birds and fluttering dragonflies, freezing in fear as you spot a gator peering at you from just a few feet away, feeling the sun on your skin as you take in the serenity of this place all make for an unforgettable experience. Don't forget the secret dock and giant spiders. So grab your kayak or rent one from the little shack down the road from the boat launch. Grab your kids, your friends, your partner, your fishing pole. Pack a lunch, some water, some bug spray and sun protection. Use the abundant opportunities that Lake Martin gives you and make some amazing memories! There is so much to explore. Except the dense field of lily pads in the middle of the lake. Don't try to paddle through those as a short cut. Take the extra time to go around and take in more of the lake instead of taking home sore arms. And when your husband makes you jump in the gator infested waters first to make sure its safe, take a deep breath and smile as you plunge in and stow away this blissful moment in your life long memories. I give Lake Martin
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“Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.” - Helen Keller AuthorMy name is Jessica. I live in Louisiana. I love exploring the outdoors and sharing my experiences. Archives
April 2015
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