Louisiana’s only barrier island
The Tortuga has a common connection between Grand Isle and Galveston and it’s a pirates story.
The path to Grande Isle is to experience manmade and natural coastal erosion. It is to watch the land disappear below your feet. Land, turns to a road with water on both sides, turns to a long bridge with land under the pilings turning to marsh then to water. The bridge lands on a spit of land, the start of Grande Isle. Water on both sides of the road way with water lapping the solders in many places, The over cast skies and light rains was enough to ignite the imagination. What must it be like in a storm or worst yet hurricane on this tiny strip of land. The Tortuga wanted to get back to Galveston and hide behind the Sea Wall. (If you want an account of a hurricane recommend “Isaac’s Storm, A Man, a Time, and the Deadliest Hurricane in History” by Erik Larson.)
At the end of the island was the park. The last few days the island had significant rain and the attendant at the gate suggested a drive through, in efforts to pick a space or two that had not been flooded. Found two and back to the front gate and a swipe of a card, and the Tortuga had a home for the next couple of days.
NO DOGS on the beach, bummer! But eventually understood, Tortuga’s were ok because they are to slow to chase birds This park is also a bird sanctuary and habitat for nesting birds. A couple miles of beach, several board walks and an observation tower that was 5 stories tall. On this day the observation tower provided the experience of being inside of a cloud, visibility zero. Much to enjoy: watching birds, fishing, picnic on the beach, 50 RV spaces and over 100 car spaces in front of each pavilion, The Tortuga, just had to wonder if this was more like a zoo of people in the summer time and was thankful to enjoy this beauty island on a cold wet day.
While walking on the beach in the early afternoon with the sun to the Tortuga’s back, the horizon appeared to break off and start to move. For just a moment it was hard to understands what was going on, only to realize a flock of thousands of birds had just taken to flight. As if one singe being of multiple shapes the birds would climb then turn and dive to the gulf then skim along the water. At certain angle the sun would reflect off their wings and the entire flock would shimmy in silver only to turn black at they flew away from the sun. Then as suddenly as it started they returned to roust where they started. This entire trip was made in about a minute, a gift was given, not to be forgotten, for walking just one mile more.
BUT! Before you leave Grand Isle, you might be fun to watch a movie,
“The Buccaneer”
1958 ‧during the War of 1812, New Orleans is the target of a major British offensive. General Andrew Jackson (Charlton Heston) feels they should ask for help from Jean Lafitte (Yul Brynner), a pirate who occupies a strategic island near New Orleans. The Louisiana governor, William Claiborne (E.G. Marshall), agrees, despite his distaste for Lafitte. Those close to Lafitte feel he should side with the British, but Lafitte becomes love-struck by Clairborne’s daughter, Annette (Inger Stevens).
Initial release: December 1, 1958
Well that Strategic island mentioned above is Grande Terre which is right across the narrows from Grande Isle
Well it was time to go one mile more and follow the path of the Louisiana Maneuvers (you might want to google Louisiana Maneuvers if you’re a WWII buff.) It was the LM where Eisenhower had such a difficult time moving troops around that he got the idea of the interstates highway system, then in his second career he built them.
Then the RAINS, 2 days nonstop. Rivers cresting their banks, cypress marsh lapping the edge of the road way and cattle standing in knee deep mud. Perfect overland weather. Drive on Tortuga! To Camp Claiborne.
