Central Louisiana, things to do?

[serevince]

In the area for work for a few weeks. Brought a few toys, but no big sticks. Already picked up a fishing/hunting license, a cheap rod set and a hit a couple local lakes. Loving Louisiana's rules on military getting resident license fees while on active duty! Wish every state had something similar. Picked up the hunting license planning on doing some armed hikes in the local WMAs, but if I'm reading the rule right they are only open to hunting during deer season. I read that hogs were open year round, but apparently only on private property.

Would love to hear about outdoor things to do, historical stuff to see and the like. I'm well past the age of spending every TDY drinking and chasing women (my wife really appreciates that!) lol. Now I get to spend my time worrying about the young guys doing the stupid stuff I did back in the day! Karma is indeed a female dog of ill repute!

Thanks

Vince

Sent from my mind via apathy.

 

[Terry Cross]

Vince,

Stop by the Ranger Station on Hwy 28 a few miles West of Alexandria. It will be on the right, just before entering Gardner as you drive toward Fort Polk. They should be able to answer your questions regarding the mix on firearms and hunting in National Forest. You can get a map and rules for the Wild Azalea Trail. It is a primitive hike trail with several camp stops and multiple pickup points if you don't want to hike it all in one session. Cuts through part of Kisatchie National Forest. Nice.

This time of year, the pink honey suckle will be close to bloom around the creeks and the dogwoods will be close to popping in the open forest. Bring skeeter spray.

There is a free Dept of Wildlife and Fisheries range 10 minutes south of Alexandria. Woodworth Exit (west) off of I-49. Concrete benches and covered firing points.

Get by Tunks Cypress Inn on Kincaid lake and try the fried alligator tail appetizer with a beer.

England Airpark is the old England AFB. Still has nice static display of TAC fighters up to the A10. Ft. Polk still runs a lot of logistics and circle birds out of there.

Very nice historic site and tour (I think) on the Pineville side of Red River next to the bridge. Ft. Buhlow and Ft. Randolph State Historic Sites.(Civil War) Visitor center and nice raised walking trail.

Hodges Gardens State Park north of Ft. Polk on Hwy 171 and west of Alexandria (little over an hour drive).

Kincaid Lake and Indian Creek Lake are very close as well as Lake Buhlow and CLECO lake. I think you would like the first two. Main ramp at Kincaid may be the only one with boat rental.

Have a nice stay. You should find most of the natives in the area friendly, especially to MIL.

 

[bogeybrown]

It sounds like the good thing about where you are is that you can get to LOUISIANA from there.

Head south at least as far as Lafayette. If you don't fall in love with a Cajun girl every minute or two you've got your eyes closed. The Acadiana area has some of the best food and friendliest people in America. It should take all of about 15 minutes on a bar stool to meet someone who'll take you out in the Basin (Atchafalaya Basin) for some fishing.

If you respect your wife or your liver, you should probably avoid NOLA.

 

[mtrmn]

bogeybrown wrote: "If you respect your wife or your liver, you should probably avoid NOLA."

I agree. There are a lot of good things in New Orleans, but it does NOT represent the rest of the state. Personally I don't care for it at all, but I'm wierd that way. I assume you're at Ft Polk and Toledo Bend is not far away. Some really good fishing there.

 

[Sharpsman]

When all else fails.....throw rocks at passing 18 wheelers!!

 

[bogeybrown]

bogeybrown wrote: "If you respect your wife or your liver, you should probably avoid NOLA."

I agree. There are a lot of good things in New Orleans, but it does NOT represent the rest of the state. Personally I don't care for it at all, but I'm wierd that way. I assume you're at Ft Polk and Toledo Bend is not far away. Some really good fishing there.

I'm a native of the city, and there's a ton of good stuff to do there, especially after the hurricane, but everyone who goes thinks that Bourbon Street IS New Orleans. Audubon Zoo is one of the best in the country, the park itself is a great place to hang out and stare at the Tulane co-eds. Puking up "Hurricanes" in the gutter in front of Pat O's tends to be too many peoples' memory of the city. You are absolutely right about it not being representative of the rest of the state. Hell, NOLA is effectively autonomous from the rest of the state.

I just recommend the Acadiana area surrounding Lafayette as being representative of the best the state has to offer and being TRULY Louisiana. The 10yrs I lived there were by far the best years I had in the state before moving away.

 

[BoilerUP]

I've spent a LOT of time in Lafayette over the last 6 years, with a fair bit of time around Lake Charles/Sulphur and more recently, Leesville/Deridder.

Lafayette is fantastic, excellent food and people are very nice...but the traffic SUUUUUUUUUUUUCKS. The town has easily grown 50% in the last 5 years and the infrastructure simply can't support it.

Last month it took me 45 minutes to get from the airport to Settler's Trace off Kaliste Saloom, at 6pm, with a light drizzle going on. I sat through multiple lights and didn't move at all.

In Leesville, the best food (IMO) is the Booker Lewis House; great dinner and even better breakfast.

 

[bogeybrown]

BoilerUp,

You are absolutely right about that. There are whole sections of the city that didn't even exist when I still lived there. Fortunately 6 P.M. is right in the middle of happy hour, so when I step outside to have a cigarette I think to myself "why the hell are all these people sitting in traffic when they could be waiting it out like me".

 

[serevince]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to reply!

I lived in P-cola for several years and went to NO every time friends came to visit. Loved the aquarium, hope it survived Katrina. Love the history of the area.

We checked out Buhlo Lake and Indian Creek, passed by the range out in Woodworth. Loved Indian Creek, will be going back.

Will do on the Ranger station. Turkey season coming up. I can definitely borrow a shotgun.

Second time I've been told to check out Tumps. I will check it out for sure.

Thanks

Vince

PS: I may or may not have noticed some of the local wildlife looks good enough to eat and has an accent that I could listen to all day! If my wife asks, I'll deny everything and make counter accusations!

Sent from my mind via apathy.

 

[mtrmn]

PS: I may or may not have noticed some of the local wildlife looks good enough to eat and has an accent that I could listen to all day! If my wife asks, I'll deny everything and make counter accusations!

Sent from my mind via apathy.[/QUOTE]

It's a trap!!!!!! Trust no 1!!!!

Click on the link at the bottom of Terry Cross's reply. I don't know if he is set up to accomodate drop-in visits, but I bet it would be interesting. I've had intentions of calling him, but I never seem to get the time to go over there......

 

[serevince]

PS: I may or may not have noticed some of the local wildlife looks good enough to eat and has an accent that I could listen to all day! If my wife asks, I'll deny everything and make counter accusations!

Sent from my mind via apathy.

It's a trap!!!!!! Trust no 1!!!!
[/QUOTE]

Lmao!




Sent from my mind via apathy.

 

[serevince]

So... , ugh problems with my flight so I'm enjoying the local hospitality one more night.

Spirits restaurant, favorite place to grab a drink, good food and people watch.

Atwoods bakery, best breakfast

Daily Grind - best coffee and people watching

Outlaws BBQ - awesome fast food BBQ!

Kitchen Warehouse - awesome paleo meal plans. Great if you're in a hotel and don't want to eat crap all the time.

Lake Charles Rifle/Pistol club- very welcoming! Daily rate for active MIL, possibly others? Had a great time breaking in my buddies first AR build. Got sunburned with a nice 3" strip across my head from my Sordins. Lol

Did hit a section of the Azalea trail, was OK to get out of the hotel. The section we did was pretty bland.

Never made it to Tunks. Next time.

Went to the Alexandria "gun show" what a joke! $8 entry for 1 small room of crap marked up 100% over retail. Horrible,.

Hopefully this helps anyone else passing through! I'll be back in the fall, for some more punishment.

Cheers

Vince

Sent from my mind via apathy.

 

[hickman]

used to be you could actually find deals at our local show, but these days everyone there thinks their shit is unique. best deal I came across was a Magpul STR stock for $75 a couple of shows ago. Wish I had seen your post sooner, I live about halfway between Sleezeville and Alex, and just finshed having a chunk of time off. PM me or drop me an email next time you're in the area, and we will see about meeting up if work schedules permit.

ETA: WTF?!? 23 posts? shit I had that my first friggin week on the hide! Forum jumps must have screwed me up

 

[marduk185]

yer mom

 

[serevince]

used to be you could actually find deals at our local show, but these days everyone there thinks their shit is unique. best deal I came across was a Magpul STR stock for $75 a couple of shows ago. Wish I had seen your post sooner, I live about halfway between Sleezeville and Alex, and just finshed having a chunk of time off. PM me or drop me an email next time you're in the area, and we will see about meeting up if work schedules permit.

ETA: WTF?!? 23 posts? shit I had that my first friggin week on the hide! Forum jumps must have screwed me up

Should be back in the fall, will do.

Sent from my mind via apathy.