The first thing that struck me was the solitude. No one was around.

Two weeks ago when I drove down the road of the Teche Marina, located between Baldwin and Franklin, memories were inevitably conjured. It was once a vibrant place. Both large and small boats took up all of the space on the wharf. Fishing vessels and pleasure craft were moored side by side, the combined flotilla giving the anchorage an almost exotic allure. And this was enhanced even more by fishermen and wealthy weekenders often mingling and adding their own personalities to the place.

But it was different now.

As I moved slowly towards the bayou, on my right was a large apparently abandoned building that I believe was once a store. Yards away were some boats propped up on blocks — well away from the water that was now denied to them. And in the distance were some shacks, the current offspring of neglect.

Then came a pleasant surprise.

Ahead to my left I spotted a tidy camper caressed by flowers. I got out, said “Good Morning” and within a moment was shaking hands with Charles E. Kyle.

“But please don’t call me by my full name,” he requested. “My friends call me ‘Poule’ or ‘P.D.’, as in ‘Poule d’ Eau’. My grandfather Kyle gave me that nickname at birth.”

P.D., a former stained glass artist and current landscaper, explained that he had been living at the marina for about 18 months. He also said that no one else lived there. He admitted that the locale “… was not like it used to be but that in its present state was a perfect moorage.”

His dwelling was embraced by sunflowers and dwarf banana trees. Surrounded by the somber appearance of the marina, the camper seemed like an oasis of color and vitality. P.D. told me that he was involved in the landscaping of Shadowlawn, an antebellum home in Franklin. In fact, he’s sharing his collection of plants with the mansion’s grounds.

“I’m at Shadowlawn,” he confessed, “… trying to turn it into a showcase for Franklin. I’d also like for St. Mary Parish to be known as the live oak and wildflower parish.”

I sensed that P.D. abounded in commitment and had a natural generosity. Both of these attributes were confirmed a day later when I spoke to his friend, R.P. Fitch.

Fitch said that P.D.’s work at Shadowlawn was indispensable due, in part, to his ability in acquiring the proper plants as well as in bringing donations to the St. Mary Landmarks Society.

“P.D. is energetic, charismatic, and always interested in sharing his knowledge with others,” Fitch added.

Later that day I recalled an important fact that P.D. had mentioned. During our visit, he had told me that his father, Frederick, had passed away at the marina in a humble dwelling. P.D. most likely had a strong connection to the location. I wondered if, perhaps one day, this gifted landscaper could lend his creative talents in helping to restore some of the anchorage’s lost luster? Just like he was doing at Shadowlawn.

Anything is possible.

O.J. GONZALEZ is a native and resident of Jeanerette. He graduated from USL in printmaking and photography and his photographs have appeared in publications in Louisiana, Alaska, Canada, New Zealand and England.