Regions • Cajun Country Houma-Thibodaux-Grand Isle.......................... 92 New Iberia-Morgan City ..................................100 Lafayette ...........................................................105 See detailed map in back of guide. Lake Charles ......................................................111 MEET YOUR GUIDE Capt. Sammie Faulk of Gotta-Go Charters in Lake Charles has been floating the waters of Cameron and Calcasieu parishes for over five decades. Asked how he got into the business of showing visitors around southwest Louisiana’s waterways, he says that, after 18 years of working for a plumbing wholesaler, “I just got burnt out, took a vacation and decided to never go back.” True to his company’s name, Capt. Sammie can’t sit still. He guides visitors on birdwatching trips at Grosse Savanne Waterfowl and Wildlife Lodge and runs fishing trips throughout southwest Louisiana. At an age where many men are retiring, he’s still working part-time as a sheriff’s deputy, “just whenever I get a break and have nothing else to do.” It’s hard to imagine Capt. Sammie taking a break at all. > HOUMA-THIBODAUX-GRAND ISLE AREA Prime outdoor spots in this area include the beaches of Grand Isle State Park and Grand Isle’s Butterfly Dome . Try inland kayak fishing with Calmwater Charters there and Reel Screamers for offshore fishing adventures. And in Houma, hometown to the History Channel’s Swamp People , you’ll find a half-dozen swamp tour companies. All of this is enough to work up an appetite, and there are plenty of restaurants that are sure to satisfy. Some of the best include 1921 Seafood & Oyster Bar in Houma, Boudreaux & Thibodeau's Cajun Cookin’ in Houma, Bubba’s II PoBoys in Thibodaux and Harry’s Po Boys in Larose. Find more suggestions of things to do in the area at the brand new Houma area welcome center in the city of Gray. IF YOU HAVE MORE TIME… • See the 100-plus artworks at the Chauvin Sculpture Garden . • Tour Donner-Peltier Distillers’ facility to see how Louisiana rum is made. PHOTOS: (OPPOSITE PAGE, FROM TOP) Zydeco band ©Chris Granger ; Canoes on Lake Martin; Steamed shrimp; (THIS PAGE, FROM TOP) Capt. Sammie Faulk ©Robert Montgomery ; Airboat swamp tour with McGee’s Landing/Atchafalaya Tours; Donner-Peltier Distillers LouisianaTravel.com 89
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