Swamp People Country and Hot Sauce!!

[hppants]

I planned to ride about 350 miles yesterday to some uncharted territory.  However, 2 things got in my way:

1.   I had way too much to drink the night before, so I slept in a bit.
2.   The temperature was about 30 degrees when I woke up, so I waited until mid-morning to take off.

So I bookmarked that trip for another time, and while I waited for the sun to come up, I planned a different route.  Decided to go south to the land of Swamp People.  It was about 250 miles total, and it warmed up to about 60 degrees in the afternoon.  It was blue bird sunny 95% of the day, and I enjoyed every mile.  Hope you enjoy the pictures.
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Slabbed it about 50 miles east to the town of Grosse Tete (French meaning “Large Head”).  Deep in the heart of LSU Tiger country, I stopped at the Tiger Truck Stop, which is famous for having a live Tiger on display for as long as I can remember.  A recently passed State law now makes it illegal for people to have large cats, but these guys are grandfathered in for this particular animal.  So, this is the last known privately owned large cat in Louisiana.


Hwy 77 South is a twisty road that parallels the Grose Tete Bayou.  Plenty of leaves on the ground now.



Starting to look like Winter.



Lots of hunting and fishing camps here.



Crossing the bridge over the Bayou.

[hppants]

A little further down the road, I pass through the town of White Castle.  Real southern.



The bank people must have thought I was crazy.



Back in rural country, I’m enjoying the scenery.



If you are a birder, the winter in South Louisiana is unbelievable.  This guy was willing to stay still just long enough.



A little ways down the road, I get to Pierre Part, Louisiana.  This is where people that starred in the Discovery Channel series Swamp People live and work.

[hppants]

I fish here a lot in the spring for Crappie, Sunfish, Bream, and an occasional Largemouth Bass.



Lake Verett is near Pierre Part.  I rode by the lake and took a few pics.



This is a great place to have a fishing camp.



More swampland.



New Year cabbages ready for sale.

[hppants]

I stopped at the Spunky Monkey (no joke) to eat.  My batteries died in the camera, so no food pics.  I had 4 homemade tamales and they were great.

The Live Oak trees here are majestic



Pierre Part is also home to No Problem Raceway, my favorite dragstrip.



Nothing going on at the track today.  Too bad, I was hoping to get a shot at the ¼ mile on Ole Yella.  One Sunday in the Spring, I’ll ride the bike to the racetrack and see what she’s got.





Now heading North in the direction of home, I stop at the Belltower State Park.  The visitor’s center is quaint.

[hppants]

I walked down this quiet trail – it was awesome.



The belltower is neat, but it looks out of place.



At the end of the trail is Lake Palourde.  The water is low and the Cypress Tree Knees are exposed.  I was able to walk among these knees along the lake’s edge.



This place is peaceful



I sat on a stump and listened to this critter yak away.  Something was bothering him.

[hppants]

A pair of Ibis’ soaking in the sun.  Today I wished I had brought a longer lens – I missed so many great wildlife shots.



I head North and East, slabbing it for about 40 miles.  Then I turn toward Avery Island, one of 3 coastal islands formed by salt domes that are miles deep.  Avery Island is also the home of Tabasco pepper sauce.





I took a tour of the plant.  You can learn all about it here:

http://www.tabasco.com/tabasco_history/index.cfm#targ

The hand picked peppers are fermented in oak barrels from whiskey and bourbon distilleries for 3 years.  Then the mash is stirred in vinegar for 28 days before it is strained and bottled.  Salt from the local mine is added for flavoring and as a preservative.  Here’s a shot of the bottling area. 



From Avery Island, I could see Weeks Island, another salt dome.  The only employer on Weeks Island is a little company called Morton Salt.  They have been mining road and table salt there for 100 years.



What a great day.



Now, the Sun is getting low, so I book it to the house for some rest.  Two tanks at 46 and 50 mpg respectfully.  As always, the bike ran flawless.  Can’t wait to do it again.

If I were to host a NH rally in South Louisiana, I’ve got some awesome rides we could take.

[hppants]

P.S. – some of you may recall that my son is dabbling in photography with his grandfather (my dad).  He got this awesome camera for Christmas, and on Monday, the 2 of them went to Lacassine National Wildlife Refuge to take some shots.  The kid’s got some talent.

http://www.fws.gov/refuges/profiles/index.cfm?id=43610





This Tri-colored Heron is my favorite – these birds are spooked very easily.  One could wait  10 years before getting a shot like this.

[fishball]

I love how you road trip Pants, would really like to ride with you one day.  All those images of the swamp are fantastic, thanks for sharing.

[Burgi]

Those Cypress trees with moss look really cool. Next time you should take your bike out on that wooden dock, bet that would be a great shot too. 

[Munkey]

Can I come down there and live and ride with you until about April?

[ariwhiteboy]

Cool report Pantsman, so you guys do cabbage for New Years?  We do collard greens and black eyed peas over this way.

[JB1290]

I'd like to come down by you for a week and go for some of those rides. 

[Soupskin]

Nice.  I <3 Tabasco

[Hangster]

Here kitty , kitty    ...I hate to see what the food bill is for that cat.

Nice report as usual HPP , i like close up wild life shots , and before you take old Yella out to the track make sure you get them carb needles raised.

[luckylindy]

Looks like your enjoying your 2 weeks off immensely.  Great report and pics again.  You're getting some great weather for riding(I'll trade you our wet, cold for your sun and warmth).

[Burgi]

Nice.  I <3 Tabasco

Sorry Sriracha  wins
Though I don't think Huy Fong has tours. 

[hppants]

Once again, thanks very much for the kind words.

I love how you road trip Pants, would really like to ride with you one day.

Can I come down there and live and ride with you until about April?

I'd like to come down by you for a week and go for some of those rides.

Any and all of you are always welcome.  It would be my sincere privledge to host some Gulf Coast riding.

Next time you should take your bike out on that wooden dock, bet that would be a great shot too.

Uh, no thanks.  Mr. Spastic here should not mix that oil and water.    No good came come from it.

so you guys do cabbage for New Years?

Our traditional New Years meal includes cabbage for wealth and black-eye peas for good health.

Looks like your enjoying your 2 weeks off immensely.

LL - good times no doubt.  Raining cats and dogs now, but I'm hoping for another ride on Saturday.  I'm not much of a New Year's Eve partyer, so we'll see.  You interested in meeting me 1/2 way on Saturday?

[edac]

really like your posts, can't wait for our snow to melt. keep them coming.