Manchac Swamp - Real Ponchatoula Haunt

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  I love Manchac. I’ve taken many trips there by car and by boat. It’s a nice ride either way you go, but by boat is definitely more magnificent than by car. A well known restaurant, Middendorfs is known for its thin catfish. I’ve also dined there many times. Mostly day trips. However, one recent night I found myself on I-55 northbound heading home after a doc appointment. I rarely check anything on my car because I have a boyfriend who checks it all for me including filling the car up. Just so happened that week he was home for vacation. I didn’t give it a second thought when I got in my car to head to Ochsner on the Southshore. I got out around 5:00 & began to head home. It was raining, and dark two things I rarely drive in. I turned up the radio, hit cruise around 80 in my Mustang GT. Midway I turned the cruise off because I’ve heard it’s not good to leave the cruise on during rain events. So I don’t! Things went downhill fast. The car slowed to almost a dead stop, yet allowing me to make it to the side. Very dangerous place to be at night alone, add the rain and I was a basket case. I immediately called USAA, who dispatched someone thru my insurance to locate me and gas me up sending me on my way. Problem was they couldn’t locate me. I had no clue where I was as there are not many landmarks on 55. I wasn’t even sure if I passed Middendorfs or not. The lady on the phone said they don’t like to call in the state police but because of the situation she felt it was best. I thought to myself yes! Finally help on the way. I was able to keep my lights on so people would see me but I felt doomed just knowing an occasional texter who happens to run off the road any minute could send me into the swampy waters underneath. Where bodies have been dumped for decades to be eaten by the same alligators that you see lounging in the sun on a day trip to NOLA. A sure terror for me. More than that, it was a nightmare to think of going into that water. It’s the most eeriest place I’ve ever been. Now, I’ve been to the cemetery’s in New Orleans (some are true monuments, appearing in postcards and paintings). While it seems the spirits come out at night it is remarkable to see the beauty of the architecture put into these tombs during the day. I definitely do not recommend ever going into one at night alone. There have been reports of burglaries and even murder in there overnight. And it is creepy. Day or night. You can feel the vibe if you are sensitive to these things. I am. I could feel that swamp enveloping me. The state police get on the phone they cannot locate me even with AT&T help. It was then I begin to lose it. Crying ridiculously near the point of get an asthma attack! In meantime my insurance people were in contact with a local who was familiar with travel on I-55. He set out in search of me. The state police passed me up. I saw them go by and my heart sank. I knew I was in trouble:(. I was scared. I had just started balling, & I was praying for God to send someone to find me out there soon. It was just a minute or so in to my sobs that I saw a slow moving vehicle behind me with head beams on. I thought please let this be help and not some sick ax murderer! As he pulled in I could not recognize if it was help or not. It was still pouring cats and dogs, I had no lights to see:(. I couldn’t roll my windows down. Car was dead as a doorknob! As he approached my vehicle in his hooded raincoat with long hair spilling out, missing teeth, I was unsure whether to scream into the phone or hope and pray this was my rescue! I slowly opened my door and he said he was sent by USAA. A dang good site to see after all! I couldn’t thank him enough. He explained to me that he too had passed me up because the vehicle could not be seen until he was up on it and had no choice but to go all the way around and he hoped his calculations would put him right behind my vehicle. He figured right! After giving me some fuel, he then pulled up to the front of my vehicle to attempt to jump it. He was hoping nothing else was wrong because then “my rescue” would include a tow truck. After a few minutes my baby started right up. Was I ever Greatful!!! I couldn’t thank that guy enough. While my insurance does pay for it, I gave the guy all I had in my wallet & got his address so I could mail more! I’m thankful to not had to spend the night in the swamp and especially Greatful I didn’t see any ghosts this night! They might have just gotten going…??

  Posted 4/7/23

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  4 out of 6 found this review helpful

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  This be lit

  ME learning this in schoo and i like it but me need more info on it ;)

  Posted 4/29/21

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  0 out of 2 found this review helpful