Apr 11, 2013 - following the muddy Miss. north

We got another display of southern thunder and lightning this morning as we awoke to pouring rain. After an hour or so of Tofino-style rain there was a break so we hustled out to hook the trailer up and headed off to see Baton Rouge. We splashed along the highway crossing about 20 miles of swamp elevated on pillars and spent an unpleasant hour getting sprayed and passed by semi’s cheerfully screaming along at 70 MPH despite the rain! As in most cities the visitors centre at Baton Rouge had no parking especially for somebody with a trailer...

Mar 29, 2013 - Natchez - Plantation City

Natchez - Center of commerce in the pre-war south. In 1860 there were 35 millionaires in the U.S. and 11 of them lived in or around Natchez. Naturally they build homes. Cruising the streets. Virtually the whole of the town on the river is a an historic site. Clearly wealth clustered here. The collapse of the economy during and after the war actually helped preserve the buildings. No money and no impetus to tear down and rebuild. People had just enough money to keep afloat so these treasures remained. This is Spring Pilgrimage month and many...

Mar 27, 2013 - The Road to Natchez

The highway down through the upper reaches of the Delta is bordered by the flat expanses of cotton fields. There's a lot of history here, just off the highway. As much as possible I've picked up sections of the Natchez Trace, a 444 mile long National Parkway that winds from outside Nashville to Natchez. It is one of my favorite roads and now, in early Spring, is a delight to eye and nose. One day I'll take the entire trip. Maybe Fall, maybe Spring. Maybe both. For more see - http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm There are several enjoyable...

Mar 23, 2013 - Natchez Trace

On our way to Red Bay is either highway or the Natchez Trace. Since we usually try to take the roads less traveled we chose the Trace. The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444-mile drive (south end is Natchez Trace, Mississippi and north end is Nashville, TN). You will see exceptional scenery and 10,000 years of North American history. It was used by the American Indians, settlers, and U.S. presidents. The Old Trace played an important role in American history. Did you know? The "Sunken Trace" at milepost 41.5 on the Natchez Trace Parkway was...

Nov 23, 2012 - A beautiful drive

Beautiful sunrise over the water! I got out at 6:30am and walked the river on the LA side. (The RV park was in Vidalia). Our first stop was Longwood Manor, the largest octagonal home in the states. It was meant to be 30,000sf of living space but only the basement was completed because of the civil war. 20,000sf remain unfinished and it is stipulated that it can NEVER be finished. http://www.stantonhall.com/longwood.htm. We drove a portion of the Natchez Trace Pkwy and stopped at several of the historic markers. Natchez Trace Parkway. On the...

Nov 22, 2012 - Natchez

Arrived in Natchez about 2:00. We had been saving our appetites for a good Thanksgiving meal only to discover that most places were closed. Of the few that were open, all but the Eola Hotel stopped serving at 2:00. So that was where we went. It had a buffet of fabulous Mississippi cooking including my favorite - chicken and crawfish GUMBO! The River View RV park was right on the Mississippi River and we got to see the Mississippi Queen pull away from the dock and hear the calliope playing as it went.

Nov 3, 2012 - 30/10/2012

30/10/2012 Arrived at Natchez and it was like going back in time. Fantastic overlooked the mighty Mississippi River. Drove the car around and took in the sites. Visited the Trading Post. Next to the Information Centre and booked into three plantation houses. Absolutely fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed these. On the way to the New Orleans we called into Nottoway and to my delight I was able to take photos and I recorded audio of the tour. Fantastic what a beautiful place and it is now owned by an Australian who has built units like cabins for...

Oct 29, 2012 - Someone turned 100 today....kms on her bike, that is

Most of today was taken up with a very long bike ride on the Natchez Trace Parkway...Karen's first century. Way to go, Karen!!! Hooray!!! You're the best. The Natchez Indians lived here until the early 1700's when the Spanish came in and drove them out of the area. The Natchez Trace was a walking and horseback trail used by the Natchez Indians and later farmers who needed to go back to Tennessee after dropping off their goods. We had driven most of this part of the parkway as we headed to Natchez, and it seemed quite flat. Turns out it...

Oct 29, 2012 - 29/10/2012

Haven't imported today's photos. Wow we were on the mighty Mississippi again. So wide and the current is so fast moving. Absolutely magic. There is a flaw in the law that allows casinos to operate on the river so once again there is a casino here. Apparently the developers in Las Vegas wanted to expand a number of years ago and discovered the shortfall in the legal requirements. St Louis Missouri was the first target and all was going well until a drought hit the area and the river levels fell below the corresponding levels of the casinos....

Oct 28, 2012 - Through Port Gibson to Natchez

We started our day heading for the Natchez Trace, a 444-mile paved road from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. Commercial vehicles are not allowed, and the speed limit is 50 mph...so there isn't much traffic. But this road is in phenomenal condition, is very picturesque, and not very hilly.... As we left Vicksburg, we saw a number of fields of cotton that were in full bloom. It was amazing to see so much white. Our first destination on the Trace was Port Gibson. We learned from our Civil War tour that Port Gibson was the town...

May 3, 2012 - Natchez, Mississippi

We are in the beautiful little historic town of Natchez, Mississippi. Our RV Park (River View RV Park & Resort) is right on the Mississippi River. We started our day in Natchez at the Visitor’s Center where they have very interesting presentations about the history and cultures of this unique area. We saw a short film and then went on a tour of the city where we saw many historic antebellum homes or mansions and other local historic places. We ended the day at Fat Mamma’s Tamale shop where they have the best Margaritas in Natchez. Tomorrow...

Mar 31, 2012 - Natchez, Mississippi

Today we crossed the river and visited some of the sites in Natchez. The visit was the National Park Museum known as the William Johnson House that was built in 1841. William Johnson was slave freed by his master and presumed father also known as William Johnson. William Johnson, the freed slave, trained as a barber under another freed slave James Miller. In 1830 William Johnson had finished his apprenticeship and opened his first barber shop. He eventually became a very successful businessman but was murdered by a neighbor over a land...