One more thing--that "river" you strolled beside in downtown New Iberia is actually Bayou Teche (Tesh), probably the most famous bayou (by-yoo) in the world, made famous by best-selling author, James Lee Burke, writing a long series of mystery novels featuring Detective Dave Robicheaux (Rob-uh-show) and his partner Clete Purcel. Lots of Cajun lore in those highly entertaining novels.

As a New Iberia resident, I thoroughly enjoyed this. A couple of points I’d like to mention. Avery Island is somewhat loosely defined as an island, because it’s not technically surrounded by water, at least not at all times. The bayou (called Bayou Petit Anse or “small point” in Cajun French) doesn’t completely surround it. It is however surrounded by coastal marshland, which is considered to be wetland habitat. Similar to our swamps, the marshlands can be wet or dry depending on rainfall, and along the coastal areas like this, even the tides can affect water levels. Even a stiff south wind off of the Gulf of Mexico can cause elevated water levels in the marsh, even without significant rainfall. I’ve seen water covering the highway leading onto Avery Island during coastal flood advisories. It happens sometimes, and that’s why you saw some of those homes elevated off the ground. Also the local pronunciation of the name McIlhenny is “MACKLE henny”. Now, I’m not saying which is correct, maybe both are. And out there at Avery Island in the Jungle Gardens for every alligator you see, there are probably two that you don’t see. Part of the Jungle Gardens is a big bird sanctuary called bird city. Basically it’s lots of egret nesting structures built above the surface of the water in one of the big ponds. There’s an elevated observation deck for visitors to get a good view of the place. Well once there was a family up there, and they were walking down the steps of the observation deck to leave when they found a BIG gator at the bottom of the steps. So those people were in quite a predicament, because as the sign said they are NOT tame. After a while, the gator decided to leave and they were able to “make a break” for it. Not your typical nature park! Lol. I’m kinda surprised about the frog legs at Pelicans on the Bayou. Usually everything is perfectly seasoned. Not too hot or salty, just right. So that bland batter was probably just a bit of a fluke. Lol. Anyway, glad you two enjoyed your visit. If you’re ever back to New Iberia (we also call it “the ‘Berry”) I suggest coming for our Sugarcane Festival, or our Gumbo Cookoff. Fantastic food and great live music too. Take care!!

I spent the day in New Iberia after visiting Avery Island, what stuck out most was how amazingly friendly and helpful the people are. I still dream about the dinner we had downtown suggested by a local. The term southern charm really is an apt description. New Iberia is magical. We took the Tabasco factory tour, that was a very interesting operation. I'm a big Tabasco fan so I was in heaven.

I’m from New Iberia. Thanks for coming to our town and do come back.

This popped up on my KZfaq, I was born and raised in new Iberia and still here.

Great video. Thing I learned about the Tabasco Co was where the bottles came from. Next on the Spanish moss, I always get a kick out of northerners or other visitors that will grab it and drape it over their shoulders for pictures, not realizing the moss is full of insects and biting bugs. Especially the infamous "no see ums". Also that bamboo grows all over the south. That is wild bamboo in the video. You can buy golden bamboo at any nursery around here (Arlington). It is a grass that will take over your yard very quickly and grows a foot or more a day. To get rid of that shit, you have to reach into the soil with large loppers and pull the rope sized roots out that run all over your yard. Never again.

you guys actually past right in from of a massive plantation called The Shadows. It’s right before downtown in the middle of all the huge houses but the entrance is mostly oak trees so it’s not very visible. Such a nice tour to go if you guys ever make your way back.

There was Victor's, where James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux and Cletus often ate. I 'm a big fan of Burke's books. You want to know the older Louisiana? Read those.

New Iberia is my hometown! I love living here and I’m so glad you guys enjoyed our little city!

Franklin, where people still speak France, check out Morgan City grave cemetery keep your boots on, Houma is a great town city, check out homes. Wear boots to be safe from snakes.

I love watching your videos of Louisiana I am a native of Louisiana who moved away many years ago. Seeing those old Oaks makes me want to go home and hug a tree . Thanks for the tour of Avery Island .

The people who work in the pepper 🌶 factory on Avery Island rent those gray houses. They don't own them. Glad you enjoyed the tour.

tobasco is a family owned/operated business. there is a japanese tea house in the gardens and a bird sanctuary.

New Iberia is such a beautiful little town. I was there again in August to get my rescue dog. 🐕💜

My mom and son live in New Iberia. We’re all originally from Lafayette but now my family lives in “The Berry” as the locals call it. Also I have family in Houma. It’s pronounced HOMA. Or HOME A. (Just FYI) Houma is the area where “Swamp People” is filmed. You’ll enjoy it there as well. Loved your video. It made me really homesick as I’m living in Utah now. As nice and beautiful as it is here, There’s really no place like home. Hope you enjoyed your visit to my beautiful home state. Best wishes and safe travels.

So Sad The Food Was Not Seasoned Correctly Because Louisiana Cajuns, Are Very Famous For Their Well Seasoned Foods,. Soooo. Delicious 🙌🏾💯🤟🏾 Enjoyed Your Video & Great Information on Our Tabasco Plant On Avery Island🤟🏼🤟🏾🤟🏾

If you ever make it back to Oregon, the Tillamook factory is absolutely amazing!!

There is lots of bamboo in the USA! Surprised you never saw it before- it is very invasive and difficult to keep from spreading!

Love the video! Btw Houma is pronounced "Home-Ah" and the Louisiana sausages known as Boudin are "Boo-Dan". Love the keeping up with your travels!!

If yall still around go by rip van winkle gardens... they also have a salt mine there that collapsed back In the day the whole lake was drained

Wow it's cool to see so many places that I know so well that I haven't seen in a long time. I've been in many of those homes. I grew up not for away and had several childhood friends who grew up in a few of those homes.. Some of them now own them... Everyone knew everyone back then...My mother's sister my aunt has a home there , you drove right by it..I have a lot of family in New iberia, they've been there since the 1600s ... I talk to young people...about how we grew up and what all we did, when we were teenagers. and their lives are no so different compared to ours..... Our lives were extremely active outside of our own homes and in and around our home towns.. I had close friends in most of the towns that surrounded my homes town for about 50 miles square... easily... That was common to us... I don't think that is very common now. Our parks were meeting areas that were open 24/7 365 days a year... each town had a hamburger joint that was a hang out for most teens and twenty something.. So 15 year olds often hung out at the same places that the college guys and gals hung out at... everyone knew their buddies older brothers and sisters and parents.. It's hard to explain how huge our circle of friends and acquaintances were... and we knew each other on a face to face name basis..Not a FB account... ya know ! It's crazy... when I think about it... I feel very fortunate to have grown up in the 60s, 70s....as a teen and a young adult..

We have tons of bamboo here in SC. I've seen patches of it on abandoned properties that have taken over almost every inch! It's quite invasive. That Tabasco factory was cool! good thing they sell Icee to cool you off after those hot sauces!! I always feel like I was there when watching your videos. Thanks!

Louisiana in itself is just a special place.

For some reason this all reminds me of Sheriff J W Pepper and James Bond in Live And Let Die. I was waiting for a speedboat to come flying over the grass. The southern states look very laid back, must be the tropical climate. The houses are very impressive though sadly built on the backs of others. History is a great teacher and should never be destroyed or the future cannot be learnt from it. Thank you for sharing your travel,

Basically speaking, the difference between Louisiana and Mexican Hot Sauce is the Louisiana version has Vinegar in it.

I attended elementary school in 1946 through 1950. The perimeter of our playground was lined with large clumps of bamboo similar to those in this video. I remember, at recess, running to claim a favorite bamboo to sit or play in the shade. When we moved across town to the high school,campus, we left iur bamboo behind. This is an excellent video featuring our area. I live in the village of Loreauville which is located about 10 miles out of New Iberia.

There is a twin city of New Iberia in Spain This is where I come from We come from Sugar Cane country Tabasco country Salt country Rice country Seafood country to name a few That's our Catholic Parish - Saint Peters Back in the day International Salt was also on Avery Island with Company Houses If you go to Cypermore Point you will drive across hills which are other Salt Domes too

Nice video, the oak trees and Spanish moss are breathtaking! Thanks for sharing the sights and history.

what a coincidence. we visited this magical place at the same time. I am still fascinated by this beautiful area. Unfortunately, my English isn't that good and I wasn't able to understand everything. Unfortunately our journey has ended and I am sending these lines from Suhl, a tiny town in Germany

35:09 This reminds me of a scene in the 1963 film "Jason & The Argonauts" starring Todd Armstrong. The skeleton warriors had swords and chased the Argonauts around the island. Special effects man Ray Harryhausen was on top his game in this film. You can KZfaq parts of the scene ( it's a little over 2 minutes) and see the bony dudes duke it out with Jason and the boys. A blade between the ribs would kill them! Great action from a time gone by.

Pretty darn cool being a resident of new Iberia to see people interested in our culture happen to see you made your way to napoleons all those signs on the wall with names on them are people who have had all of the 217 different beers they serve loved the content❤

I love frog legs and I also love alligator. The way I grew up, you ate whatever came across your plate. Everyone hunted and grew most everything they ate. Wish for those days back a million times.

I grew up on Avery Island Thanks for showing where I grew up . Yes a lot of families have worked there for generations . Both my grandparents and parents retired from the Tabasco factory . Currently we have family that still live and work there . New Iberia is a great town too . Also always ask the locals where to eat !

I believe the bamboo stuff used to be all over the southeastern us, They were called Cane breaks and they were a type of Giant grass environment. One of the only types of bamboo native to the U.S. called Arundinaria gigantea.

What a quaint southern town. Loved the the bonus of seeing Avery Island and the Tobasco factory. Thank you!

I live here, also it's (Home -a) houma and the river is a bayou. I used to work at Avery island when I was 16 to 18 (20 years ago) in the warehouse. Those houses are all owned by McIlhenny. They house the workers for free or used to anyway.

The grounds around Tabasco are beautiful

Wow! That was so fun! Love the Halloween decorations! Big salt block was awesome! You guys are good company!

We actually stayed in one of the houses you showed on film. Loved it!

Just watching the videos new iberiz is really pretty town

Always finding cool unique spots.. Thanks for taking us on your journey lord

I miss living down there. If you find yourself by Houma go eat at Boudreaux and Thibodauxs.(if they still there). Super Good eatin!

Thanks for touring our beautiful area. New Iberia has so much history. I hope you come back for another visit. The Shadows on the Teche, Jefferson Island, the summer home of Joseph Jefferson is well worth a trip here, not to miss Cafe’ Jefferson and the gardens and house tour, includes a film of the collapse of the salt dome there (by a drilling rig). It’s a must see. I’m surprised at Pelicans seasoning... must have been an off day. Bon Creole is a very good place to eat also...never disappoints. My dad is 97 and worked in the salt mines as a young teenager...quite an experience he said! God bless you! Hope to see you again!!

I used to work down there and loved it very much love the people there👍

Houma….It is pronounced Home_Ah. Great Video love, love, love, Louisiana. Keep them coming! When you go to Houma I would recommend going to Thibodaux also. It is really close. You can tour around Nicholls State University also I would visit Rouses market it has been there since 1960 and has absolutely the best supply of Cajun spices prepared meals box Cajun meals etc. sausages Boudin cookers boilers smokers anything you want aprons gifts for your family in Dallas

Thank you so much for this video, so interesting and informative. I live in London, England & I'm a huge fan of Tabasco 😁. Your channel is great, so pleased I found it. Warmest wishes for Christmas & 2023

My brother lived in NI in 1970. I visited with him & & his wife. You are in Cajun alligator country. I went with my grandson on a field trip to Louisiana animal safari.: longhorns, water buffalo, buffalo, camels, et cetera.

My ancestors came to the area after the great expulsion of Acadians from Nova Scotia. My Great Aunt married the owner of Trappeys hot sauce, another local sauce and competitor of Tabasco. Thanks for the tour! ✌🏽🇺🇸

From the "Old Iberia" (more exactly, from Portugal) I have to say: what a quite nice little town...

Thanks for your videos. Marvellous. All of them.

Enjoyed seeing Avery Island. Love the oak trees with moss hanging down.

Toured that plant years ago. Very interesting. Also toured Twin Oaks (?) plantation nearby. It had so many fleas or mites in it our legs were eaten up before we got out. Although my favorite (humorous) part of the trip was a gas station with a huge sign that said “Free shower with fill-up”.

My dad was a life long resident of Avery island and worked at the salt mine! He lost his life there but his legacy still remains! Alvin young!!

I totally love Tabasco and use it on almost everything. I would love to tour their plant. Very interesting video. Thanks for the upload. I have been to the Jack Daniel distillery in Tennessee. Their plant is far more up close and personal than what you showed there at Tabasco.

Tabasco is the most prolific sauce throughout the world. Thank you guys for this vlog. I sure appreciate you. Lora and I Love You .

Beautiful day trip to Avery Island! A great place to go.

That's neat about the temp for determining gender. Cold blooded animals have a lot of tricks up their scales 😂. Be careful! So neat about the rock salt. I had rock salt lobster before but can't remember if I liked it or not. Thanks so much for the Avery Tobasco factory tour. Great stuff!

I am looking at this vlog and i am thinking i could worked in the Tabasco factory and live where the employees lives but i done with work now i am a retiree and just wishing a late wish .Thank you for the history lesson i love history and all historic buildings.

Everybody likes the stuff.👍

Beautiful New Iberia.! It Reminds me none but good old & warm memories since my college love was from there. Cheers.!🍻

I just found your channel. I am very curious about Louisiana I am from Maine and French in heritage. Your channel has been the cleanest no bs honest videos I’ve found on the state. I hope you and your wife enjoyed the miles and sights.

Great video, next time you’re in town, head to Jefferson Island / Rip Van Winkle Gardens. You can see where a salt dome was punctured and pulled a home into the a lake.

I'm really looking forward to visiting this area of Louisiana this fall.

👍Thanks. Yes, also, frogs' legs are all bones and gristle -- not much meat to be biting a-hold of. 👍

Culminating your videos dining and imbibing at local establishments is homespun, classy and pleasing to your viewers. By the looks of it, my guess is that the former McIlhenny homestead, even though perhaps empty, is maintained well enough to keep it from deteriorating. Enjoyed the domestic banter between you and Nicole over how to relate to the alligators. That one alligator shown sunbathing, although "small," has the power to tear off an adult arm or a big chunk of a leg. Fascinating.

Great video. Always enjoy seeing the restaurants too. Thank you so much!!!

I REALLY ENJOY THESE VIDEOS.THANKS LORD SPODA.SOUTH AFRICA.

It’s been a very long time since I’ve been, but I seem to remember in the spring there were a lot of flowers on Avery Island. There are pictures of us there in 1973. 😂

Thanks, I know where my Tabasco sauce comes from now.

I love Spanish moss, I remember seeing it for the first time when I was 15. It was in Florida on a family trip, it never gets old seeing it. Also the was really cool seeing the alligators.

I lived there as a child,my aunt had a bar named daisy's place I think, does anyone have a memory of it,I would love a picture.

Good show! Enjoy the MS gulf coast where we live and love it.

Nice area. I'd love to take a tour of that Tabasco factory. I had no idea what a salt dome was either. I'm such a big dope that I really didn't even know what a bayou was. I had an idea and all, but thanks for the definition. I lived on a lake in RI and in recent years we had bamboo coming up on the beach. And you can't get rid of it! I could go another 100 years without ever seeing any more bamboo (well except for my veggie steamer 😃)

You were in my hometown. New Iberia. Born and raised. Still here. Love New Iberia.

Bambo is a native plant along our rivers and creeks in Louisiana and they call it switch cane because it`s a tiny type. It looks like bambo. Maybe it isn`t. I think the large types are imported and not native plants but you never know (Natives were growing wheat from Egypt in America and Egyptian mummies tested positive for cocaine, so. Lots of forbidden history they hate folks knowing about.). Bambo is very difficult to kill once planted and spreads everywhere fast. We`ve always used it for fishing and making turkey calls that sound like owls. When the gobblers roosting in the trees hear the owl sound early in the morning they gobble revealing their location. We use cedar trees to make a turkey call that makes turkey sounds.

Can’t wait to see when you visit Houma! That’s my home town! ❤❤❤

Great tour!...I like Tabasco on alot of different food..so the "island " was interesting, those "old glorious home ...would love too see the time inside of them, thanks for sharing the sites, God bless, an safe travels!🌼

This is my home town, born and raised here. Went to elementary school on the island

In the summer of 1988, I was with a crew that built the plumbing system for an addition to the plant. Not only was the temperature in the 100’s, but when the peppers were being cooked, my eyes burned from the exhaust. Pooyie!

I heard Kermit the frog went missing you don't know anything about that do you and the family too wooooo 🐸 😶

You both did an excellent video. Pretty proud of how you two gave knowledge; some I had no idea about. Learning is always welcomed. And y’all are both welcome to visit anytime. Bienvenue Mais oui, mon chère and ma chérie. Merci beaucoup. Au revoir bisous

Whimpy for not trying the hot sauce, how about cowardly for not trying the frog legs? Works two ways Sir the way I see it. Loved your video Sir. Enjoyed the Tobasco Factory tour & history behind it. The employees are well taken care of. Which more employers should be as good to their employees. Here where I reside they just hire their own kind. Those that are born & raised here, white, & Baptist. Don't care how many generations you go back. We go back 5 generations on land here. My neighbors will tell you how they had to work hard for their money, making but, they won't tell you the land was give to them, they just had to work hard at what they put on the land. No disrespect intended to either of you. Sir there is nothing whimpy about you. Her, well, my Father loved those frog legs. Said it tasted like chicken. I couldn't get pass the thought of something like that eating flies, mosquitos, actually tasting good. Sorry, I don't blame her. I did try turtle. Tastes like chicken, said to have 7 different flavors of meat, tender & a little tough at the same time. Not bad. Loved seeing the older plantation style homes & the old oak trees. The 300 year old has been, through alot. If only it could talk. Thank you for this video. It was educational, & very interesting.

Another great video.. 1000 year old Buddha in Louisiana 😮I never knew that. Man u got some epic adventures 😎

great tour vid, y'all have lots of fun!! never seen the green pepper version gotta try it. ive seen a really crazy big tour of a salt mine in redmond, utah that really made me realize how much salt is stored/mined in domes like that. so much amazing stuff to see out there and now ive added new iberia to my list

Very cool video. Love the jeep skeletons. My mom must about salivated over those big frog legs. She loves them. The tobasco tour was quite interesting. I’m gonna have to look for the garlic sauce. I may need to order some.

i lived on the island where the salt mine. My dad worked on the salt mine for many years. It is sad that they closed it down. The "river" is Bayou Teche.

Thank you for the interesting videos. I hate to travel and your videos allow me to see places that I would never go.

The houses are owned by the company. They make cool patio lights in the shape of the bottles.

Avery Island that's home to the worlds class Tabasco sauce love that suff

In the beginning, when you were going down Main St. and got to the large white house with the columns, the next house (with the white fence) is called The Shadows on the Teche. It's an old antebellum home that's open for tours. It's on the national registry of historic places and probably one of the main attractions we have and you didn't even mention or show it! We also have the Konriko mill the oldest rice mill in the U.S. which you can also visit. And Mcllhenny is pronounced Mack-ill-henny with the emphasis on Mack. I enjoy your videos but a little more research on the local attractions would be nice. Houma is pronounced Home-uh. Just ask someone how to pronounce some of these words and names. They will be more than happy to tell you. I'd like to here you pronounce Atchafalaya! (Hint, it rhymes with Jambalaya and the emphasis is on "chaf".

man made lagoons are called canals here in Louisiana. Visit City Park in New Orleans oldest oak tree is 800 years old. Oldest cypress tree in Louisiana is the champion tree is believed to be 1,500 years old and is part of the Cat Island National Wildlife Refuge

Thank you for visiting New Iberia!! We love our home-town.

Hey my hometown! Lol the only thing I’d disagree with is the crime rate statistics. New Iberia has been having terrible problems with drugs and crime, it got really bad a couple years ago to the point we had a couple rival gangs armed with AK’s and other small arms. Every night sounded like a continuous gunfight. We finally revamped the city police and they were able to quell most of the violence. We still have some shootouts here and there, but it’s tamed down a little. Glad you enjoyed your time here! If you ever come back, I’d suggest a couple of sites to go check out, Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island(another salt dome), Shadows on the Teche on Main Street, and Jane’s Seafood on Jane Street(they have THE BEST seafood in town).

Thanks for the tour of my brother in law's home town.

Another great video! Beautiful place! I wonder how many buy Tabasco by the barrel? Think I’ll pass 🤣. Love the Salt Dome. The Tabasco Factory tour was cool.

This was our first fieldtrip in elementary school!!!

Great tour! & u will will love the,Alabama gulf coast , Gulf Shores, Orange beach FLORA/ BAMA & Perdido Key n Florida. 😎👣🐬

Thank you for posting these vlogs especially these about south Louisiana. i used to live the the Lafayette area. i'm not able to travel much at all so i'm really glad to see the areas. Just curious how many miles does that Bronco have on it now?

Not fond of Nicole, however really enjoyed your commentary of what we were seeing. Too bad we didn't get to see beginning to end of the Tabasco cannery...didn't know there were 8 flavors I've only tried 3. Again, thanks Lord !

great video as always!