Busy Day in Acadiana

Last night I went solo to Pont Breaux Cajun Restaurant to see an authentic Cajun Band. Jeff was in a homebody state of mind but I just could not wait to see some authentic Zydeco. It was a blast. Lee Benoit and the Cajun Stompers kicked cajun a-- !! Better yet were the "old timers" who were apparently in a dance group of some kind (the had matching vests on) giving me a really good show. To watch 70+ year olds that literally would not sit out a single dance was inspiring. We should all be so lucky to have their energy at that age!

Today it was overcast but really warm (72) and very humid. We took a trip down to Avery Island, home of the Tabasco Factory and also Jungle Gardens, which is the home grounds of Tabasco's founding father. Avery Island is actually a huge underground mountain made of salt. The origins of Tabasco come from the salt mines and the Hot Peppers grown in the soil on top of this salt mountain.We really just stopped at the Tabasco factory to use the bathroom but ended up in a taste testing frenzy and bought a bag full of Tabasco products we didn't know existed...steak sauce, mustard, chili starter and terriyaki sauce too! All delicious. We even tasted Tabasco Ice Cream and Coke. All I can say about the last two is...interesting!

After loading up the shopping basket, we went next door to the EA McIIhenny's property....Jungle Gardens.
150 acres of garden that he, as a naturalist, planned and cultivated himself. He saw pools, wisteria and camellia gardens, palm groves, an egret and heron preserve and even a 900 year old Buddha surrounded by Bamboo and magnolias. And since it, too, is on a Bayou...there are alligators

A majority of the gardens is meant for driving through (given the size, I am glad of that). But we were able to and encouraged to, park and walk anywhere we wanted with the exception of the family house, still in use.

From Avery Island we drove back to New Iberia and toured our first historical plantation...The Shadows on the Teche Plantation. It was built in the 1830's by a sugar cane plantation owner, David Weeks. He unfortunately never lived in the home as he went East to find a cure for his "consumption" and died there, leaving his wife to run the large family business and raise 5 children (8, but 3 died in childhood or infancy).  In the 1920's his great-grandson William Weeks Hall revitalized the family home and before his death gave it to the Louisiana Historical Society.

Jeff and I were the only ones on the tour so we got some great info and special attention. Pretty amazing to think that this home is over 180 years old and while it has been restored, much of the structure was built so well it is original...handmade bricks from the Bayou Teche out back, hand molded plaster ceiling moldings, hand made window frames and glass, etc.. Wouldn't find that these days, for sure!

We took the "back roads" home via St. Martinville and quenched our thirst at...

Where I plugged the Jukebox and exposed Jeff to some downright Cajun music (and he kind of liked it!). Awesome local pub. The bartender was a toothless 70 year old with boobs down to her knees but full of southern hospitality and sweetness. She called Jeff  both  "Baby" and "Darlin'", so he was in "like". I hope I didn't offend anyone playing a tune called "I'm a Coonass not White Trash". Really! I couldn't make that up if I tried.