As is tradition, I was up before the sun and went on a short walk to see if I could spot any wild pigs. I did not. We finished up the laundry and were out of the park by 8:15. Along the way to our first stop we passed a ton of rice fields that were flooded. We also noticed crawfish traps in them. Turns out, this area used to farm a ton of rice, but crawfish raising makes more money, so the farmers keep growing the rice, but only so the mudbugs have something to eat. Smart, huh?
First stop of the day was the Tabasco factory in Avery Island. We were the first ones there for the day. Got to see future Tabasco in barrels, the area where they mix everything up, and then finally the bottling line. After the tour we bought a big bottle of Chipotle Tabasco, Joe's favorite. Also sampled all the different stuff they had out, including some Green Pepper Sauce ice cream (meh).
Headed east through Morgan City and met Mr. Charlie, a decommissioned off-shore oil rig that is now used as a museum. Their signs said they normally only have tours twice a day, but the guy said it wasn't a problem and took us around. I think he was impressed by my oil knowledge, since right off the bat he asked if we knew when the first well was drilled in the US and my guess of 1850 was only a few years off. I'm sure that makes my dad proud. I also don't think they get many cute women here either. It was cool, we got to walk through the whole thing and see where the crew would have slept, ate, hung out, and of course work.
On the road, back east and south towards Grand Isle LA. This is pretty much as far south as you can go in Louisiana. Took probably 15 miles of bridges to get to the island where the park sits. Along the way it was pretty obvious that oil drilling is THE THING in this area. We passed a small airport with a parking lot packed full of trucks, which I think is probably where everyone parks and then takes a helicopter to get to the offshore rigs. We could see a ton in the distance, and google says there are over 600 oil platforms within a 40 mile radius of here.
Grand Isle is likely a pretty happening fishing town in the on-season. Lots of brightly painted houses/cabins/cottages, all up high on stilts. We found our spot in the campground, grabbed our rubber boots and headed to the beach. We had the whole thing to ourselves pretty much the entire time we were there. Walked as far east as we could go to the (deserted) fishing pier, and then followed a few miles of nature trail around a small lake. One guy was fishing in the lake, catching mullet to use as bait. He was from New Hampshire, and we laughed about our friends and family back home in the subzero temps.
It got pretty cold once the sunset, so we cranked up the heater and slept nice and warm. I think the mattress in the van is better than the one we have at home.
199 miles
113.08 spent
11.85 Tabasco Tour
10 Tabasco souvenirs
20.00 Mr. Charlie
49.63 Grocery/liquor store
3.75 Bridge Toll
27.85 Grand Isle State Park Camp Fee
First stop of the day was the Tabasco factory in Avery Island. We were the first ones there for the day. Got to see future Tabasco in barrels, the area where they mix everything up, and then finally the bottling line. After the tour we bought a big bottle of Chipotle Tabasco, Joe's favorite. Also sampled all the different stuff they had out, including some Green Pepper Sauce ice cream (meh).
Headed east through Morgan City and met Mr. Charlie, a decommissioned off-shore oil rig that is now used as a museum. Their signs said they normally only have tours twice a day, but the guy said it wasn't a problem and took us around. I think he was impressed by my oil knowledge, since right off the bat he asked if we knew when the first well was drilled in the US and my guess of 1850 was only a few years off. I'm sure that makes my dad proud. I also don't think they get many cute women here either. It was cool, we got to walk through the whole thing and see where the crew would have slept, ate, hung out, and of course work.
On the road, back east and south towards Grand Isle LA. This is pretty much as far south as you can go in Louisiana. Took probably 15 miles of bridges to get to the island where the park sits. Along the way it was pretty obvious that oil drilling is THE THING in this area. We passed a small airport with a parking lot packed full of trucks, which I think is probably where everyone parks and then takes a helicopter to get to the offshore rigs. We could see a ton in the distance, and google says there are over 600 oil platforms within a 40 mile radius of here.
Grand Isle is likely a pretty happening fishing town in the on-season. Lots of brightly painted houses/cabins/cottages, all up high on stilts. We found our spot in the campground, grabbed our rubber boots and headed to the beach. We had the whole thing to ourselves pretty much the entire time we were there. Walked as far east as we could go to the (deserted) fishing pier, and then followed a few miles of nature trail around a small lake. One guy was fishing in the lake, catching mullet to use as bait. He was from New Hampshire, and we laughed about our friends and family back home in the subzero temps.
It got pretty cold once the sunset, so we cranked up the heater and slept nice and warm. I think the mattress in the van is better than the one we have at home.
199 miles
113.08 spent
11.85 Tabasco Tour
10 Tabasco souvenirs
20.00 Mr. Charlie
49.63 Grocery/liquor store
3.75 Bridge Toll
27.85 Grand Isle State Park Camp Fee
Lol not sure how long of a tradition it's been for u to get up before the sun, I usually have to ride my bike alone at pib, haha! That must be a sober tradition 😉
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