Les and Marcia's Bohemian Life: Happy to be back on the Road

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Happy to be back on the Road – Gulfport and Natchez Mississippi

We have enjoyed living, making friends and moving my horse Sophie in Zephyrhills Florida. We had been here for 18 months and we do feel like Floridians. However, the travel bug kept growing. So west we go. We have planned for about 7 months of 5^th wheel travel give or take.

(Last Check before we hit the road)

We had a nice overnight stay outside Tallahassee. We had to say an early “Goodbye” to one flooded park to happily travel to Arrowhead Campsites. The next morning we are off to Gulfport/Biloxi Mississippi area for a few days. It was October 2011 since we had been here and we’re happy to see more businesses open and land cleared from Katrina. One of the happiest changes I saw was the new life on one of the boulevard sculpted oaks. It was symbolic that you can never count survivors out.

(Crawfish, Crawdads or mud bugs... No matter what they are good eats)

( we can be down but don't count us out. Oak tree coming back from the dead)

Our plan (if you could ever say we had a plan) was to move on to New Orleans But Wait!! A Friend mentioned “if you are in Mississippi you must go to Natchez.” So off we go.

Natchez is located right on the Mississippi River. We stayed across the river at River View RV Resort, Vidalia Louisiana. It is a perfect river front location, with a paved river walk, River Paddle Boats (they sound like a far off train in the middle of the night) and plenty of room for Brady to play.

Natchez is known for Antebellum Mansions (Defined as big ol fancy houses built before the Civil War). Money came to this area via cotton and slave trade. The reason so many still stand is due to the speedy concession to the Yankees. They are still beautiful because of the efforts of the Ladies Garden Club. In 1932 the Garden Club Ladies struck the notion that people would be interested in how the people of Natchez live. Twice yearly they host the “Pilgrimage”. Select private homes are opened to the public to show case the life of High Southern charm and quality. Many homes are open year round. Many are B&Bs, and fine dinning. The city is mapped out for convenient walking tours. One of the most striking observations is the pride of ownership throughout this area.

( (follow these brass markers to easily see this beautiful town)

(I loved the rarity of this Chalet. It didn't quite fit here. I noticed that an unintended shark mouth hidden in the wood work)

(Big or small pride of ownership was everywhere)

( If you are going to list.......why not Sothebys)

We always enjoy the reverence of local and national cemeteries. So visits here are always a must for us.

( I love the wrought iron work throughout this Cemetery)

(The Turning Angel)

(We honor your service)

Outside of town is Jefferson College. Built in 1802, it has also been a preparatory and a military school. Now closed, Jefferson College is open to the public using private donations. The best part of this visit was our picnic lunch and hiking the rustic wooded trail (making this a great afternoon).

I had my hopes up to eat at Mammy’s Cupboard. It just looked to quirky not to try. Sadly Mammy does not take debit cards. Just down the street to “Roux 61” for great gumbo and gator cheese cake.

Two national parks to visit are The Emerald Mounts and Melrose Historical Park

The Emerald Mounts are burial grounds for many Mississippi Valley native populations. The current belief is, mounds are created by building a leaders home on the site of the previous leaders home. When that leader dies he or she is buried and their home is burn on that location. Then the next leaders home is built on that site. ( no pictures - it was just a lumpy grass field - cool visit though)

Melroseis a Greek Revival mansion. The estate has beautiful rolling lawns, flower gardens, stables (no horses, just carriages) and slave quarters. The majority of the furnishings are original to the house which adds to the wonderful authentic feel. The park ranger that conducted the tours was great at his job and very knowledgeable.

( Still a bit of reno going on)

(sho fly fan above the dinnng table)

(Carpet was made to match the original painted oil cloth floor covering)

Our last stop was at the Delta Music Museum. It is located in the old post office in Ferriday LA. The museums original purpose was to high light home town cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley and Reverend Jimmy Swaggart. Who knew they were cousins? Well I sure didn’t! Other Delta Valley talent and Musicians are now part of the tour. (Added so the museum could receive state funding) Our lovely volunteer guide enthusiastically shared stores and history of the cousins then let us continue self-paced though the rest of the exhibits and to view a short film. This was a great free stop.