or German, this ingenious device determines your trail location while playing timely video about the points of interest as you reach them. Learn about local wildlife and history and directions for guided nature walks--even tips on the best locations for crabbing and shelling.

The wild creatures welcoming you to this region range from serene to downright scary. Gentle monarch butterflies pass through Louisiana in April and May during their annual flight north from Mexico, migrating south again in autumn.

Both backyard birdwatchers and serious students of ornithology find opportunities here year round, as the Louisiana Outback is one of the top-10 birding destinations in the country. Peregrine falcons, wood storks, least terns and snow geese... Whether you're a dedicated twitcher or out birding for the first time, the Lake Charles birding chart and downloadable Southwest Louisiana Birding Guide are an exhaustive resource for getting started.

If you crave a little more adrenaline with your animal watching, the Creole Nature Trail passes through the equivalent of alligator "heaven." You'll see countless gators basking in the sun by the water or mostly submerged with only their eyes above water level. There's a good chance of sighting them along the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge Wetland Walkway, the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Pintail Wildlife Drive, or from the observation deck around the Cameron Prairie National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.

As a Florida resident, let me warn you against venturing too close, even when the creature is apparently "resting."

Sidebar: Touring Lake Charles

If you begin or end your tank-of-gas adventure in Lake Charles, the city offers several attractions worth making time for. Lake Charles proudly hosts the second-largest Mardi Gras in the state, after New Orleans--and one that is definitely family-friendly.

But should your visit to the area not coincide with those last crazy days before Lent, the Mardi Gras Museum of Imperial Calcasieu can give you a taste of the carnival atmosphere. Filled with spectacular sequined and feathered costumes (the largest display in the world), the place features animated characters and video displays.

For those who prefer things a bit more refined, a walk through the Charpentier Historic District provides the opportunity to enjoy the Victorian architecture. Every year on Palm Sunday, select private residences in the historic Margaret Place, the original streetcar sub-division of homes, are open for a public tour.

With more than 75 festivals annually, some-thing is always happening in Southwest Louisiana. I enjoyed the Rouge et Blanc Wine Festival along with some foot-stomping Zydeco music during my visit. What better way to work off my trip along the Boudin Trail!