When I left you in my last blog, “Plantation Road”, we were discussing alligator balls! Well next morning, as we pulled out of Lafayette, things were about to get even spicier! Rachel said that she had another surprise for us and that we were going to Avery Island, to see how Tabasco is made.
Now I have to admit I was a little unsure about why we were visiting a factory that made tabasco sauce, but how wrong could I have been! Indeed, it turned out to be one of the best days of our entire holiday.
The drive was relatively short, about an hour outside of Lafayette. The light was great and some of the buildings alongside the road just screamed to be captured.
Rural Texas
Old School and perfect for monochrome photography.
Welcome to Avery Island, the home of Tabasco.
For those of us who like a little bit of spice in our life, “Tabasco Sauce”, that famous little red bottle that everyone has in their spice rack, has become a household name. Indeed, the salt dome known as Avery Island Louisiana, or better known as the “source of Tabasco sauce”, has been operated by the Mcilhenny family for over 5 generations and is the only factory in the world that makes this famous sauce under the Tabasco brand.
I was expecting some form of major industrial site but boy was I wrong. The factory looks picture perfect, sitting amongst the bayous and wildlife and I was soon out of the car and clicking away with the Type 246 and 28mm Elmarit. The light was super bright and so a 4 stop ND filter was a must.
Now Rachel and Jon had organised the day in three parts; (a) a tour of the Tabasco museum, (b) lunch at the on-site restaurant and (c) a tour of the Jungle gardens.
The Factory - picturesque.
Tabasco by the barrel.
So that’s as clear as mud then!
Wherever I go the wildlife is out to get me!
The modern side to this traditional family business.
The greenhouses where they experiment with different types of chilli peppers.
The elixir that is Tabasco sauce aged in white oak barrels which are sealed with salt.
A contender for The Bench of Contemplation perhaps?
The factory is surrounded by stunningly beautiful nature and wildlife.
The maturing process.
The production line.
Down the salt mine.
Tankers at the ready.
By Royal Appointment.
By now we had worked up a thirst and were in urgent need of some calories. The on-site restaurant was the perfect place for a beer and a crawfish poboy. This is basically a whole baton loaf, about half a ton of deep-fried crawfish and a double helping of French fires, spiced up, of course, with locally manufactured “family reserve” Tabasco Sauce. This is definitely not for the faint of heart and sharing is very much recommended.
Cholesterol and calories, a perfect combination!
We rolled out of the restaurant (quite literally), jumped into the car and headed off for the “jungle tour” around Avery Island. As we pulled into the garden my jaw hit the floor. The whole area was just un-spoilt nature and I was in seventh heaven.
My first image of the tour was a keeper.
I just love the Spanish Moss which seems to flourish everywhere.
If you look closely you can see three turtles on the branch stretching across the lake - otherwise known as alligator food.
Wherever we looked it got better and better.
Framing the girls.
Anyone for a swim? - before you do, look closely at the 8 foot eating machine waiting patiently for you.
The long drive home.
As we reached the Texas / Louisiana state line we pulled over for a “comfort break”. Once again nature was out to get me.
Yes sir, we were back in Texas.
All I want is to take a pee without any stress!
This is what was behind the ablutionary facilities - “Snake Central”!
What a fabulous day. A visit to Avery Island should be on every tourist’s list when you visit Louisiana. I must have taken about 500 images and culling them down to the few that I have shown you was very hard work.
Ah yes, the Bench of Contemplation. Mrs C sitting on the edge of this stone bridge in the middle of this picturesque bayou, contemplating the fact that all around her were alligators, snakes and a myriad of other creatures looking to bite and sting you. An excellent juxtaposition I think.
The Bench of Contemplation.
I hope you enjoyed this spicy episode and I look forward to inviting you to my final blog, “Adios & Away” which will be coming out soon.
See Y’all.