Day 18 - more Touring of Lafayette, Louisiana

Submitted by:  Bob and Carolyn Thiessen #19 It is Thursday, April 3, 2014. We depart Bayou Wilderness RV Resort at 8:10 AM by bus with a full itinerary and our step-on guide, Ginger. Joe provided many laughs with his joke of the day to get things “rolling”. Our first stop is the Tabasco Factory where capsicum peppers are grown and processed into a pepper sauce known around the world. Surprisingly, the sauce is aged in oak barrels for 3 years before it is bottled.

We tried the ice cream and after we got over the “heat”, it was good. The factory is located on Avery Island on top of a salt dome.  Above the surface is The Jungle Gardens and Bird City. The Wysteria Arbor was in full bloom.  Entering through the red gate we see a Buddha enclosed in its own house for security.  The bridge appeared serene, and azaleas were gorgeous. Bird City was full of birds.

Then we were off to the Rip Van Winkle Gardens and lunch at the Jefferson Cafe. We passed by the Jefferson mansion built in 1870 with its 4th story cupola. Lunch was delicious and enjoyed by all. Dinner was not needed as we brought half of it home to be enjoyed a second time.

A windshield tour of New Iberia Historic District had us viewing many old mansions, old churches, and narrow streets with a talented bus driver negotiating sharp turns.

Upon arrival at the 1912 Conrad Rice Mill we watched a video of ‘Cajun’ culture. The mill is located in the original building and is free of debt. It was not “in-op”, wrong season. Many rice products are produced here.

The last stop was St Martinville, the home of Evangeline. A visit to the Acadian Museum gave us a look at a large mural that came to life with deportation stories of the Acadians. A Meditation Garden on the Bayou Teche was the backdrop for the Eternal Flame, and held a life size replica of the Deportation Cross and mosaics of Acadian family Coats of Arms. St Martinville was the Birthplace of Acadiana and made famous for the Evangeline Oak Tree that inspired Longfellow’s poem.

Another long day and looking forward to a good night’s sleep. Lots of laughs and good company!!