April 24, 2011 - Day 1 Riding in "Cajun Country"

Dianne, Wally, Bill and I rode out to Avery Island, home of Tabasco today, only to find that their plant and gift shop were closed for the Easter Holiday; however, we were able to tour the island, which was worth the trip.

The Island has numerous exotic plants, with a number of them introduced by Edward McIlhenny in the 1800's, and the Island still has a bird sanctuary, known as "Bird City," that was founded by Mr. McIlhenny around 1895.

The Tabasco brand pepper sauce was created in the 1860's by Mr. McIlhenny.  Someone had given him some seeds of Capsicum frutesens, peppers that came from Central America or Mexico.  From those seeds he grew his pepper plants and created his special sauce.  Over 140 years later the sauce is made much the same way it was back then.

One of the roads on Avery Island with the beautiful trees and Spanish Moss

Dianne checking out the gators - Avery Island

Getting up close and personal - Avery Island

Beautiful tunnel of foliage - Avery Island

A portion of the Bird Sanctuary - Avery Island

Two hundred acres of the Island has been designated as a natural wildlife sanctuary, known as the Jungle Gardens.  Enclosed in the gardens is a shrine housing a centuries-old Buddha, which was a gift to Mr. McIlhenny in 1937.

Entrance to walkway to Buddha Temple - Avery Island

Buddha on Avery Island

Close-up of Buddha - Avery Island
Notice that part of the Buddha's right ear is missing - I've heard that
a visitor cut off part of its ear several years ago

Tabasco Gift Shop - Avery Island - photo taken through the glass of  front door

Tabasco Plant - Avery Island
You can smell the Tabasco as soon as you go onto the Island

After leaving Avery Island we rode through the town of New Iberia, looking for a place for lunch; however, because of the Easter holiday everything was closed.

One of the few old theatres still in existence -  New Iberia, LA

We then headed to St Martinville where the only thing we could find open was a Popeye's Chicken, so that's where we had lunch. While there, we saw some local bikers that we had seen on the Island earlier in the day.  After a nice conversation with their road captain, Corey, we hooked up with them and rode all over the area...New Iberia, Breaux Bridge, Henderson, Lafayette, etc. 

The group consisted of three sisters, Terri, (Corey's wife), Sharon and Kim, (her sisters), their spouses/partners and another couple, who was friends of the sisters.  It was a very pleasant day and we saw a lot of "Cajun Country" that we would not have seen had we not hooked up with them.

Riding with our new "Cajun Friends"- Corey & Terri leading the ride

Down in the Atchafalaya Basin with our new "Cajun Friends"

Dianne and me in the Basin - Basin Landing

Obviously I got a kick out of this sign at Basin Landing

After leaving Basin Landing we rode for a bit more and then stopped off at McGee's Landing for a drink and to say our good-byes to our new friends, promising to stay in touch.

Wally, Dianne, Bill and I then went to dinner at Pat's Fisherman's Wharf Restaurant in Henderson, based upon the recommendation of Corey.  We were not disappointed!  The food was excellent and our waitress was a "hoot!"  Her name was Dee and she kept us laughing all through dinner with her Thibodeaux and Boudreau jokes.

Then, it was back to the motel/RV park.  By the time we reached the motel I had received a text from Terri telling me that if we needed anything while we were in the area to let her and Corey know, which was very thoughtful.  It's always nice to make new friends, and we've made so many lasting friendships over the years through motorcycle riding.