Ride With Norman Reedus – Louisiana: Crescent City

By starrymag | July 14, 2016

By: Jennifer Vintzileos

 

Last week was spent in the Lone Star State, whereas this week we get to venture through Louisiana from Lafayette to New Orleans. So, let’s begin the journey in a state that Norman has dubbed “a great American enigma.”

 

Day 1:

 

The journey starts as Norman goes to meet up with his friend and riding companion, singer and guitarist Brent Hinds from Mastodon. They meet for a bite to eat at Taco Sisters in Lafayette, Louisiana and discuss a few key stops along their journey, including getting Lemmy tattoos in homage to Lemmy Kilmister from Motörhead. But first, they head over on Triumph Tigers to meet up with Mike Clay for some crawfishing. After Norman gets “wet butt” and breaks a few nets, their haul is impressive and they indulge in some crawfish racing before chowing down.

 

When Norman and Brent get back on their bikes, they head to Henderson, Louisiana for a tour of the Atchafalaya Basin with Captain Tucker Friedman at Basin Landing & Marina. Captain Tucker is well-known for his “alligator whisperer” skills, even taking Norman and Brent out on his airboat and calling over an alligator. After their adventure on the airboat, the boys head back out onto the road towards Baton Rouge.

 

Day 2:

 

As Norman and Brent pull into Baton Rouge, the boys manage to continue pulling pranks on one another. Well, more Norman playing pranks on Brent as he turns on the heated seat feature and even causes Brent’s bike to stall at one point. Nevertheless, in Baton Rouge the guys head over to Hollywood Casino for Blackjack with a dealer known as “The Terminator” before getting back on the road.

 

When Brent needs to stop, the guys pull off at Middendorf’s where Norman takes notice of one gentleman’s bike, a Suzuki Savage 650. To bring the bike into the modern age, the gentleman explains to Norman how he converted it into an electric bike and even demonstrates for both Brent and Norman just how quiet it runs.

 

After the quick pit stop, it’s full steam ahead to New Orleans, where the boys makes one last stop to Abracadabra Tattoo, meeting up with owner Jordan Barlow and his friend and fellow tattoo artist Cornbread. Norman heads off with Jordan, who will tattoo “Lemmy” in kid-like font on Norman’s chest. Fans are treated to a shirtless Norman as he lays down for his tattoo session, snapping selfies in typical Reedus fashion. When finished, Brent shows off his Lemmy tattoo to Norman, an “L” in a spade.

 

Day 3:

 

Being in New Orleans, Brent and Norman indulge in the local voodoo culture and locate Island of Salvation Botanica, which is the shop of Sally Ann Glassman, a High Voodoo Priestess. Sally explains about the history of voodoo and ultimately has Brent and Norman participate in a ceremony where Brent is overcome with emotion from the intensity of the experience.

 

After meeting with Sally, the guys share their experience over plate of fried boudin balls and the eggs florentine special at Elizabeth’s Restaurant. Brent felt that the voodoo ceremony had brought him clarity and peace, evident by being overcome with emotion. After brunch, Norman and Brent head over to meet with members of New Orleans first all-female motorcycle club Caramel Curves. Meeting with members Foxy and Showstopper, the ladies introduce Norman and Brent to the rest of the crew. This includes a female biker named Tru who demonstrates some rubber-burning tricks for the guys.

 

Later, Norman and Brent ride with Caramel Curves to their club party before parting ways to partake in the Big Easy. Norman, who’s no stranger to New Orleans after being the Grand Marshal of the Endymion Parade at Mardi Gras, leads Brent on a hunt for the Boondock Saints bar located in New Orleans. On their hunt, Norman is easily recognized and a hunt for the bar results in many stops for photos and kind words from fans.

 

In their search, Norman and Brent stop at a dive bar, deciding to indulge in the rest of the night sans cameras before their ride back. Reflecting on their trip, Norman feels a strong kinship with New Orleans by quoting Bob Dylan to share his love for the Big Easy: “There’s a lot of places I like. I like New Orleans better.”

 

Join me next week for the Season 1 finale of Ride With Norman Reedus as Peter Fonda and Norman take a ride from Naples, Florida down to the Florida Keys!

 

Mastodon: www.mastodonrocks.com

Taco Sisters: www.tacosisters.com

Basin Landing & Marina: www.basinlanding.com

Hollywood Casino: www.hollywoodbr.com

Elizabeth’s Restaurant: www.elizabethsrestaurantnola.com

Caramel Curves: www.facebook.com/Caramelcurves

Boondock Saint: www.facebookc.om/TheBoondockSaintBar