Wednesday, April 5, 2017

Day 51 – No rain yet? We woke up at 6:45 a.m., still overcast, windy, 78 degrees, humidity 91%, the air is still really thick. Google now says it’s gonna rain and become less humid but now it’s not happening till later today. This (below) is what happens when it’s too humid.

All we can do is sleep in this heat!

We decided to take a drive in the car with the A/C on; left the kitties in the RV with the A/C on, too, of course. Assuming this storm comes in and breaks the humidity, the next couple of days should be quite pleasant and perfect for outdoor activities. We’ll see……

First we went to check out local fishermen who sell freshly caught Gulf shrimp. The one we found charges $5 a pound for 21/26 count or 16/20 count, whichever is available – we won’t even discuss what we pay at home for the same. We didn’t buy any, will go back tomorrow after doing the grocery shopping. There is 1 grocery store on the Island and we went there next. I have several shrimp recipes with me but was not sure if we’d be able to find all the ingredients here. Even grocery stores in bigger cities have been lacking in the items we usually get in New Paltz. Surprise, surprise, their grocery store was amazingly well-stocked with a large variety of foods. So tomorrow we’ll buy shrimp and the other ingredients and cook a feast.

We came across more of the Roseate Spoonbills and Rob took more pictures.

Roseate Spoonbills, Grand Isle, LA

Roseate Spoonbills, Grand Isle, LA

Next we drove away from the Island, over the bridge, and took the turnoff to Port Fourchon. This is an oil production (and fishing) port, and some of the bigger oil companies in the area are located here. The town has very few people living in it and not much tourism considering its location on the Gulf. It’s very pretty around there with bayou and swamplands filled with wildlife. Then there’s this large Port & industrial area out in the middle of the scenery. After reading about the BP/Halliburton disaster scenarios, it felt rather eerie driving around here with all the damage the oil spill did to the Gulf areas and to the fishing industry, and here they are working side by side.

“The Gulf’s Energy Connection!”, Port Fourchon, LA

Amazingly large ship mounted crane, Port Fourchon, LA

Huge ships, Port Fourchon, LA

Lots of activity, Port Fourchon, LA

Lots of industry, Port Fourchon, LA

Small oil platform waiting to be deployed, Port Fourchon, LA

Many of these small oil platforms everywhere waiting to be deployed, Port Fourchon, LA

Many of these small oil platforms everywhere waiting to be deployed, Port Fourchon, LA

Back to Grand Isle. Took some pictures of the houses on stilts and a couple of other places in the town, then stopped for lunch. A little place called Starfish Restaurant where the locals go; we got shrimp & catfish platters which were excellent and had enough left over for tonight’s dinner. Got back to the RV around 3:00, windy and 84 degrees, still humid & murky out.

Daquiris are big here! Grand Isle, LA

Daquiris are big here! Grand Isle, LA

Daquiris are big here! Grand Isle, LA

Even better if you can get your daiquiri by just driving through!

Homes on stilts, Grand Isle, LA

Home on stilts, Grand Isle, LA

Hurricane proof motel! Grand Isle, La

Hurricane proof motel! Grand Isle, La

Finally later in the evening, the clouds and humidity lifted (no rain), and stars appeared in the sky. We opened the windows and enjoyed the cool, fresh air.