Baja St. Martin

The Belle River landing has been practically deserted the last few times I was there. Crawfishing is as good as over.

I’m told that the price of crawfish is up to 80 cents a pound and that the main buyers are pond owners stocking up for the next season. Why they’re buying crawfish at such a high price puzzles me but maybe the dark red, hard-shelled ones that you get now are the most durable. Still no sign of crabbing in the river either side of the bridge, but plenty in Lake Verret.

July 4th was quiet here, but the 5th was not. The river was full of jet skis, knee-boarders, party barges and a fair number of just boats loaded with families. I always dread busy river times like this because so many boaters don’t watch where they’re going, especially if they’re pulling a raft or tube. No matter how many people are in the boat, it always seems like they’re all looking backward. I’ve not seen a head-on collision and I hope I never do, but it always worries me.

Fortunately, the river is low enough so all the waves weren’t causing much damage to those of us with seawalls. The level is still high — it just doesn’t really fall much — but not slopping over into the yards except once in a while. My seawall seems to have a hole in it and every time a boat passes a miniature geyser spouts up in one spot.

The Spunky Monkey by the Belle River bridge had massive crowds all day on the 5th, both on land and at the dock. It’s the only place to get drinks, buy gas, snacks, etc., until you get to Stephensville or Chili’s on Lake Verret, so it does a booming business on holidays.

I spoke to Brendan Rush, DOTD information officer, just this week and he told me the revised plans for the Belle River bridge have still not yet been accepted by DOTD. Remember he told me not long ago that there was a flaw in the plans which had to be corrected and then accepted. I guess someone is still studying the problem. Mr. Rush said again there would be a 30-day warning to motorists and boaters, which means that, as of right now, the bridge won’t be closed until at least the end of August. That will put it in the heart of hurricane season, in which case, he said, there would have to be contingency plans because of the evacuation route situation. And who knows what that might be.

I visited an elderly friend today and she had the most gorgeous plant. A crinum! It has long succulent leaves sort of like a century plant without the needle-sharp tips, and one thick flower stalk with at least 10 lily-like blooms, sort of white and purple, sprouting from the end. I could see that there were at least 10 more buds ready to bloom. It was really striking. The friend said I could cut off a “pup” maybe in September. I’ll look forward to that. She has a few other plants I’d love to get cuttings from.

Linda Cooke

The Teche News’ Lower St. Martin correspondent, Linda Cooke, can be contacted via e-mail at lcooke9417@bellsouth.net.