Avery Island

May 6

I am thankful for Avery Island. Located near New Iberia, Louisiana, it is the home of the Tobasco Hot Sauce, which was invented by Edmund McIlhenny in the 1860s. It has grown in popularity over the years, is the world's best selling hot sauce, and may be Louisiana's most famous product. The sauce, obtained from the Capsicum frutescens pepper is aged up to three years in oak barrels. Avery Island istself is a large salt dome, so salt is another one of its products. Just 3 miles from Vermillion Bay, the island is surrounded by Bayou Petit Anse (Little Cove) to the west, a salt marsh, and swampland. It's Jungle Gardens is a beautiful garden and bird sanctuary. It was established by Edmund McIlhenny's son E.A. (Ned) in 1935. Along with the factory there is a visitor's center, a gift shop and the gardens.

The photo is of one of the area's in Avery Island's Jungle Gardens. The prominant feature of this area is the 900 year old Buddha housed in the pavilion in the background and the arched stone bridge spanning the lagoon. It is a beautiful place.

the spice of life

for many

the spice of life

is music, poetry, or prose

for others

the spice of life

is a beautiful flower

such as iris, lily, or rose

for many

the spice of life

is a willing and beautiful escort

for others

it is the opera

the theater, a movie, or sport

for many

the spice of life

is an exotic piece of art

for others

the spice of life

are intense matters of the heart

but for the me of now

the spice of life

no matter where i may go

is a sprinkle of tony chachere’s

and a dash of tabasco.

© rt tulley