My New Orleans
Crabbing in Alligator Territory
Cameron Parish After a six-month hiatus, the Rockefeller Wildlife Refuge reopened for spring and summer fun in eastern Cameron Parish. Located along the Gulf Coast, the 76,000-acre refuge plays host to hundreds of thousands of ducks, geese and wading birds. Beware of alligators: It boasts the highest alligator nesting densities in the U.S. A public boat launch opened at East End Locks, featuring exceptional crabbing and bank fishing for speckled trout, drum and largemouth bass (
Adieu, Storied Salt Dome!
Avery Island, Breaux Bridge An era has ended for Avery Island, famed as the first rock salt mine in North America. Fun fact: During the Civil War, the fabled salt dome (formed 165 million years ago) produced 22 million pounds of salt for the Confederacy. Cargill, Inc., the mine’s manager since 1997, announced the official end of Avery Island’s (recently perilous) salt production. Cargill runs another salt facility in Breaux B