Jefferson Island, Louisiana: Rip Van Winkle Gardens

Jefferson Island, Rip Van Winkle Gardens, Louisiana

Yeah, I know, looks weird, yes? It's a slug. Or roly poly, maybe. I like her upturned mouth.

Time's awastin' on my 2nd Louisiana year, and today I wanted to put to bed the Rip Van Winkle Gardens on Jefferson Island. It was my second visit, the first being abbreviated back in October 2014.

Jefferson Island, Rip Van Winkle Gardens, Louisiana

The slide show here (and below) has pics from both visits.

Gosh, what a pretty place. With so much shade, it's a pleasant escape from Louisiana heat. Many spots to sit and be contemplative.

Jefferson Island, Rip Van Winkle Gardens, Louisiana

There was a short afternoon rain while I was on the paths, and I took cover under a stand of bowed tall grass and bamboo. A taste of this rain below:

At another spot, I sat in front of thick bamboo and listened while it creaked and the peacocks complained loudly to each other. And my belly rumbled a couple of times, too. Here it is below:

When I was here last fall, there was some exciting snake action, which I caught on video here:

Can you see the snake in the picture below? It's a copperhead.

Snake in the bamboo, Jefferson Island, Rip Van Winkle Gardens, Louisiana

No? Let's get a little closer:

Snake in the bamboo, Jefferson Island, Rip Van Winkle Gardens, Louisiana

And let's get a real good look:

Snake in the bamboo, Jefferson Island, Rip Van Winkle Gardens, Louisiana

Hahahaha, I like snakes.


As I said here, I much prefer the gardens on Jefferson Island to the gardens on Avery Island. That is, if one is ambulatory. Jungle Gardens on Avery Island is a driveable experience, so it works much better than Jefferson Island for people who find walking difficult.

A slide show below of Jefferson Island's Rip Van Winkle Gardens:

#30

Jungle Gardens: Alligators Are Dangerous

A recent visit to Jungle Gardens was a pretty ho-hum affair. The only thing of note was this study in understatement:

Alligators are dangerous, Jungle Gardens, Louisiana. March 2015.

If you find yourself visiting South Louisiana and deciding which public gardens to tour - Jungle Gardens on Avery Island versus Rip Van Winkle Garden on Jefferson Island, I not-so-humbly recommend the latter.

Jungle Gardens, Louisiana. March 2015.

A qualifier regarding my recommendation for RPV over JG: If you're only going to one, and you or a companion has mobility challenges, the Jungle Gardens layout is conducive to a driving tour, therefore more accessible for some folks.

Jungle Gardens, Louisiana. March 2015.

At Jungle Gardens (and for that matter, the related Tabasco Sauce Tour), the gift shops seem to enjoy greater attention by the owners than the gardens or the tour. I'm no horticulturalist, but the wisteria arch looks like it needs some expert attention. The ancient Buddha is so carefully ensconced in its protective glass gazebo, it makes it difficult to appreciate it. And at this point, I don't remember much else about the place.

Jungle Gardens, Louisiana. March 2015.

 
When you're paying a not-insignificant per capita fee for the privilege of driving through the grounds, I have certain expectations, and Jungle Gardens doesn't meet them.

Jungle Gardens, Louisiana. March 2015.