The wonders of modern technology, Holly Beach and my first alligator

There was a time not so long ago when only occasional hotels had computers and the inner-nets available for guests to use. Not so anymore it seems, as once again, I have access and can post. Today we drove the Creole Nature Trail which loops from Sulphur,Louisiana down to the Gulf and back up to the interstate at Lake Charles. It was a very beautiful drive, in spite of the presence of oil wells and storage here and there throughout. At the southernmost point is Holly Beach, sometimes called the "Cajun Riviera". The little village of Holly Beach was levelled by Hurricane Rita. We could see pad after pad of what used to be buildings. We are resiliant creatures, though, and quite a number of new "houses on stilts" have been built. The beach was just about deserted, and a brisk warm wind was coming in off the Gulf. It was really stunning. I'll post lots of pics when I get back to Toronto.

Tonight we had dinner at Mulates, in Breax Bridge. We're staying in Lafayette, just down the road. Mulates serves Cajun food and features a Cajun band every night. Jay Cormier was playing tonight, with is country infused Cajun band - one-row accordion, fiddle, drums and bass. We started dinner with an appetizer of fried alligator, just to try it, and we each ordered a different dinner prepared in Cajun style. Good rustic cooking in a place infused with local history, and live Cajun music filling the large room.