Baja St. Martin

As I began my daily dog walk on the Belle River levee by the boat landing, it occurred to me (much too late) that I should have taken a picture of the landing when it was completely under water and sent it to the Teche News. It’s too late now as the water has receded almost to what I would call normal.
People still seem to be using only the farthest launch since it’s the most visible. The other three are not quite back to normal so it’s still hard to see the outlines of the ramps and to avoid the big rocks which line each one.
I was able to actually sit on a concrete bench under the pavilion. The Atchafalaya Basin Levee District seems to be grading the parking lot regularly, but there are still huge logs, stumps, et al, in places they should not be. The dog and I were able to access one of the metal walkways leading to the floating dock without getting our feet wet.
All drives are now usable so there is no excuse for using the IN to go OUT and OUT to go IN. I think the bathroom at the landing is open for business, so to speak, because I did not see an OUT OF ORDER sign on it anymore, although flagging still surrounds the building.
I have not heard of anyone catching crawfish although I see signs selling them several places. I assume that is pond crawfish.
Mr. Johnson from St. Martinville has come to Baja St. Martin twice now with financial aid for electricity bills. One day at Stephensville and the next day to the Belle River community center. He had quite a crowd in both places.
Next in Belle River is the Feb. 16 bingo (10 a.m.) at which we will have birthday cake compliments of Humana. Then the Recreation Board will meet in the Belle River center on Feb. 25, (6 p.m.) the same day as the next Food for Seniors. The public is always invited to the board meetings.
I finally had a tree cut down from my yard. It had been leaning at nearly a 40-degree angle for several years and every time we had a storm I figured this would be the one to knock the tree completely over, but it hadn’t happened yet. Nevertheless, the tree was pretty barren so it wasn’t that hard for a small crew of guys to cut it down. It was the tree, unfortunately, on which my wisteria always bloomed. The cutters left a 10-foot stump at my request and the wisteria vines are still there so we’ll see what happens.
I helped 50 8th graders plant 350 Nuttall oaks and 245 cypress seedlings today. The Pierre Part Middle 8th grade science teacher guides his students in growing the trees from seeds in plastic tubes. By this time, the seedlings are two-feet tall on average. Professor Pam Blanchard, head honcho of the LSU Coastal Roots program, had supplied the seeds and was on site today to provide the kids with dibbles and sacks in which to carry the seedlings and to remind them of the proper technique for planting.
The property owner told the kids where to plant the trees and to watch out for snakes, bears, deer, none of which anyone saw, although every path we followed was churned by feral hogs. There were a fair amount of “poop” piles which to my ignorant eye looked like cow patties, but maybe pigs left them.
Anyway, it’s a fun activity and after the planting everyone went back to the owner’s main lodge where they ate their bagged lunches and swapped stories. It was a beautiful day – almost too warm, but otherwise just perfect for tramping around in the forest!

Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be e-mailed at lindacooke1939@gmail.com.