April 25, 2011 - Day 2 Riding in "Cajun Country"

Today, Wally, Dianne, Bill and I went to Ville Platte, located about 80 miles west of Baton Rouge.  We had lunch at the Cajun Smokehouse, (crawfish etouffee), then went to the "Slap Ya Mama" store for hot spices!

Lunch at the Smokehouse Restaurant - Ville Platte, LA

Dianne and Wally - "Out behind the Smokehouse" - Ville Platte, LA

Bill and me - "Out behind the Smokehouse" - Ville Platte, LA

"Slap Ya Mama" - Ville Platte, LA - (Owner's Picture)

 

I love this poster - was on the wall in their store

After leaving "Slap Ya Mama's," we then rode out to Chicot State Park, a wildlife reserve featuring 6,400 acres of rolling hills surrounding a 2,000 acre man-made lake.  What a beautiful place!

Chicot State Park - Near Ville Platte, LA

Lily Pads on Lake Chicot

Wally and Bill on the pier - Lake Chicot

Lake Chicot

Lake Chicot

We spent some time riding through the park.  Such a beautiful setting! Everything was so lush and green, especially through the arboretum.

After leaving the park we made a stop at D's Galore, in Port Barre.  Dianne, the lady behind the bar, said all her children and all her grandchildren's names start with a D, thus the name of the bar.  She  was very friendly, (posed for a photo), and said she "loves bikers."   We stayed there long enough to cool down from the heat and then were on our way back toward the RV park and motel.

Dianne - D's Galore - Port Barre, LA

On the way, we made a stop at the Cajun Harley-Davidson store in Scott so Bill could pick up a shirt, then it was back to the RV Park/motel.  Wally and Bill loaded the bikes onto the motor home and  trailer, then we freshened up and headed to Mulate's in Breaux Bridge for dinner.

Food at Mulate's was great as always, and the ambiance definitely "Cajun."  We had a fun evening listening to the band for a while before calling it a night.

Back at the motel we said our good-byes as Wally and Dianne were leaving early the next morning, heading to Pigeon Forge, TN, (just in time for the big storm), and we were heading back toward FL later in the day.

Thus ended a wonderful couple of days of exploring "Cajun Country" with good friends Wally and Dianne and our new "Cajun Friends," Corey and Terri.  Bill and I have been to "Cajun Country" several times over the years and have always loved it.  The people have always been so friendly and kind to us. 

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.

April 23, 2011 - Leaving TX "Hill Country" - Heading for LA "Cajun Country"

We moved the motor home over to another spot for storage this morning and then Bill and I took Bud and Deb to the airport in San Antonio, where they flew out, heading back to Florida.

Bud and Deb on the way to the airport

Bill and I made it into Duson, LA around 7:00 p.m. and checked into the motel.  Wally and Dianne were already there and had their motor home set up in the park behind the motel. 

By the time we got settled in and ready to go eat it was around 8:00 p.m., so there weren't many restaurants still open.  We finally found a Mexican restaurant in downtown Lafayette, (I don't even remember the name, but the food was great), and we had a nice dinner.

Afterwards, we headed back to the motel and RV Park.  Wally and Bill unloaded our bike from the trailer and we said our good nights, and went our separate ways to get some rest for the next day's riding adventure... in LA "Cajun Country."

PATRIOTIC - FAMILY MEMBERS WHO SERVED IN THE MILITARY

These are some of the family members who served in the Military over the years.  These are the only family members that I have military photos of.  I'm posting these in honor of them and their service and as a memorial tribute for the Fourth of July week-end.  May God Bless each and every one of them and may God Bless America!

My Dad...Charles Denton Scarlett

Kenneth Hughes...Daddy's nephew

Henry Dow Hughes...Daddy's nephew

Jack Fields...Daddy's nephew by marriage

Billy Howard Watts...Daddy's nephew

Donald Ray Hughes...Daddy's great- nephew

Daniel Scott Herron...Daddy's grandson

April 22, 2011 - 6th Day of Riding in TX "Hill Country"

We made it up in time to say good-bye to Wally and Dianne, then Bud and Deb and Bill and I headed out to Fredericksburg. 

After picking up brochures, etc. from the Visitor's Center we rode around town looking at the old homes and buildings.  One of the buildings that intrigued me was the Nimitz Steamboat Hotel, which is now a National Museum of the Pacific War.

Rose in front of the Visitor's Center - Fredericksburg, TX

Typical architecture in Fredericksburg, TX

The Nimitz Steamboat Hotel - National Museum of the Pacific War - Fredericksburg, TX

After touring the area on the Harleys, we parked on Main Street and Bill waited in the Fredericksburg Brewing Company while Bud, Deb and I explored the town on foot.  We spent an hour or so doing that and then headed back to meet Bill.  On the way, Deb noticed three ladies dressed up like bunnies, dining at one of the outdoor eateries.  We stopped by and asked them why they were dressed like bunnies and could we take their picture?  They said they had donned the attire for their favorite charity and happily posed for us.

Fredericksburg Bunnies - Fredericksburg, TX

We had lunch on the patio at Bejas Grill, with a view of Main Street.  Afterwards we stopped by the Fredericksburg Ice Cream Parlor for ice cream.  Needless to say, Bud was a happy camper as he has an addiction for ice cream.

Lunch at Bejas Grill - Fredericksburg, TX

After checking out a few of the shops on Main we decided to head back to the RV Park and start getting ready to pull out the next morning.

One of the sights we saw along the way back to the RV Park

Beautiful entrance to one of many ranches in TX "Hill Country"

Back at the RV Park, Bud and Bill loaded up the bikes while Deb and I uploaded our pictures.  We then had a wonderful dinner, consisting of left-overs and Bud's grilled "Mojo Chicken," along with a nice bottle of wine.  The weather had cooled down enough that we were able to eat outside, so was a pleasant way to end the day.

Thus ended the 6th day of riding in beautiful TX "Hill Country."

April 21, 2011 - 5th Day of Riding in TX "Hill Country"

Mike and Chris flew out today, heading back to Canada.  Wally and Dianne, Bud and Deb, and Bill and I rode with them part of the way to the airport, then said our good-byes.

After breaking away from them the rest of the Crew stopped off at Mananita's in Pipe Creek for coffee, then  headed back to the Alamo Springs Cafe in Fredericksburg for one more of their great lunches.  I knew we would make it back there...the food was just too good to pass up!

Coffee stop at Las Mananitas

Normally, the TX wildflowers would have been a beautiful blanket covering the area at this time of year, but due to the lack of rain over the previous three years not many had popped through.  I saw a few Indian Blankets and Primroses in front of the Cafe, but no Bluebonnets,  Bluebells or Indian Paintbrush.  That was really sad, as I really wanted the girls to see how beautiful the landscape is when the flowers are in full bloom. When they're in their full glory it literally looks like someone has painted the landscape with a kaleidoscope of beautiful colors.

Indian Blanket

Primroses

We spent a leisurely afternoon riding the backroads, then headed back to the RV Park.  Once there, Bill and I moved into the RV with Bud and Deb, which was really great as Bud had installed a Queen size guest bed, (was certainly a great change after "bunking" in the cabin for the past few days).

Riding in TX "Hill Country"

Nice curvy roads for riding - TX "Hill Country"

Heading back to the Park - TX "Hill Country"

Dianne and Wally dropped by to say their good-nights and possibly good-byes as they were leaving early the next morning heading for "Cajun Country" LA.

Thus ended the 5th day of riding in beautiful TX "Hill Country."

April 20, 2011 - 4th Day of Riding - TX "Hill Country"

Today our destination was Gruene, (pronounced Green), TX.  Again, we travelled many narrow, twisty back roads, which was great for motorcycle riding...1341 East to 473  to Comfort - to Sisterdale - took a left at 1376 N - 1888 East to Blanco, then south on 32 to Canyon lake, then South on 3424, which became 306 @ Canyon City, then 306 into Gruene.  First stop was in Blanco, home of "Lackey's Ghost," and the Lavender Capitol of the World.  Blanco was pretty quiet - didn't see "Lackey's Ghost," and  not much action going on in town; however, we did have a great snack at a little place on the square.

Blanco - pretty quiet town today

Then it was on to Gruene where we had lunch at the Gristmill Restaurant, (best onion rings in the world)! Wonderful choice - great food, service and ambiance.  We sat outside on the balcony where we could see the canoes travelling down the Guadalupe River, as we looked through the canopy of tree boughs on the hillside below us.  What a beautiful view!

Lunch @ the Gristmill Restaurant - Gruene, TX

Dianne's new "Onion Ring Earrings"

Entrance to the Gristmill Restaurant - Gruene, TX

The girls then toured the "Historic District," taking photos and doing a little shopping, while the guys waited in the bar.  It was a fun-filled afternoon.  One thing of interest to me was the "Man Cave," complete with TV and cold beer, in one of the shops, where guys could hang out while their significant others shopped.  Seemed like a real "win/win" to me.  Guys were happy, women were happy, and shop made more sales!

Gruene Dance Hall

Shopping in Gruene, TX

Garden display in Gruene, TX

After an afternoon of shopping, we headed back to the RV Park in Kerrville. We took 46 to Bourne, then 10 North out of Bourne back to Comfort, then 1341 to  Kerrville.  Once we were back at the Park, Mike went out and picked up Bar-B-Que for everyone.  We sat out by the fire pit at Wally and Dianne's campsite and had dinner.

 

While shopping today, we girls picked up some "flashing teeth."  So...when twilight came we went into Dianne and Wally's RV and put in our "flashing teeth."  Of course, we were all laughing like maniacs, so it was hard to keep the teeth in and keep them flashing, but somehow we managed to do so.  We came outside, grinning at the guys, with the teeth flashing.  I think they though we were nuts, but a good laugh was had by all.  Another great way to finish  a wonderful day.

Debby, Dianne, Chris and me with our "Flashing Teeth"

Thus ended day day four of riding in the beautiful TX "Hill Country."