Louisiana beaches

[Alan L.]

We made a round trip to New Orleans (from north Texas) this week for medical reasons and we took the southern route from NO to Lafayette, and swung down to Cypremort Point State Park. It is a man made beach and a pier overlooking a bay that is connected to the gulf. This is south of Lafayette, east of Baton Rouge, on the coast.

We were appalled by the dark brown / black water and beach sand and assumed this is oil from the oil spill. But there was a sign at the ranger station that said it is NOT oil but some kind of brown plant material. Standing in it was like being in an oil quagmire. Really an unattractive "beach". But can't find anything about it on the internet at all, and pics of the place show none of the brown sand (and water) and no mention of what the brown stuff is.

I just wondered if someone more familiar with the area would know more about this subject.

 

[dave1949]

You were standing in 'pre-oil'. Don't know the area but reminds me of seeing Norwegian fjiord postcard pictures taken on a sunny day. False advertising :laughing:
Dave.

 

[Chuck52]

Was there any oil smell? Most of the reports from where oil is coming ashore mention the smell. Some talk about it being very strong and irritating.

Chuck

 

[Alan L.]

I did not notice a particular smell.

 

[dmccarty]

When I lived near the beach I would some times get up early to take photos of the sunrise. There was always a brown sea weed washed up by the tide. Since the beach was used the public the lifeguards would come by on a tractor every morning and rake up the sea weed.

Later,
Dan