We arrived at the Winnebago
Louisiana State rally on the first day
possible so that we could take part in a couple of tours offered. In
particular, we wanted to take the boat ride on the Atchafalaya Basin swamp. This is the largest river basin swamp is
North America. It is an ever changing
environment that has seen many changes over the last several thousand years. It is currently about 600000 acres about 20
miles and 150 miles long. One of the few roads that cross the swamp is
interstate 10 and is elevated on pillars
for a continuous 18.2 miles.
Some of the latest changes
to the basin was the introduction of levees (dikes) for flood control and the
establishment of a National Wildlife refuge in 1984. These changes have reduced the number of
people actually living in the swamp significantly.
We started our trip from
McGee's Landing on one of those levees.
It is a kind of place we would have expected to find in this remote
area. After lunch in their restaurant,
we boarded the tour boat for guided
introduction to the swamp. It is a
beautiful area that also has a fascinating history of human endeavors including
the building of a railroad across the swamp and the harvesting of the native
cypress trees under incredibly difficult conditions. There is also the stories of those who chose
to make their home in this rugged environment.
Driving over the basin on
the way to the rally, I had assumed that the area was very shallow
throughout. In fact, we were informed
that while much of the area is shallow, the main channels can have as much as
60 feet of water in them.
As you can imagine, there is
an abundance of wildlife all of kinds.
Fishing and hunting are very popular activities in the basin along with
just observing the wildlife.
Our guide mentioned that it
can be very confusing navigating these waters and many a local and tourist
alike have gotten lost in the swamp.
After our tour, I can easily see how this is correct.
The basin is a part of the
much larger Mississippi Delta region and it is estimated that currently 29
square miles of the delta land mass are lost each year to the ocean.
I would say that this is a
must see part of wild America!
One of my favorite places in Louisiana, but I've never had the chance to take a tour. I just remember getting lost trying to visit the NWR. :(
ReplyDeleteI have never had the slightest desire to see or take a boat ride in a swamp, but I always felt the name "Atchafalaya" is so beautiful and just rolls over the tongue like a fine Scotch!
ReplyDeleteI would definitely want a guide going through. I'm much too skiddish to see what I might run into :)
ReplyDeleteThat is too cool, I have to do this! Didn't know the swamp was that big but I do remember driving over that amazing 18 mile long bridge.
ReplyDeleteWhat great pictures!! Well, i missed that area, will just have to go back!
ReplyDeleteWOW...what a wonderful trip. I love that area but have never been to the Basin.
ReplyDeleteYour photos are beautiful.
What a neat trip..
ReplyDeleteThanks for a great tour of the swamp. I'd sure want a sturdy boat to tour around in that place.
ReplyDeleteWe've driven that bridge a few times but have never taken the time for a swamp tour. Must do that some day.
ReplyDeleteThe pictures remind me of a tv show we've grown to like--"Swamp People." It is all about gator hunters in the swamps and bayous of Louisiana. ENJOY yourselves.
ReplyDeleteThat is indeed an interesting area to see. Do they have boondocking sites down there? But I would be afraid of those alligators crawling up to our rig.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to that much wild, guided is a sound idea. Loved the photos you took, felt like I was there. Clearly I need to visit this area and see more than an airport.
ReplyDeleteHaven't spent much time in the south ... yet! Thanks for taking us along on the boat tour.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a neat tour.
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