Natchez Trace Parkway

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

What a beautiful day, blue sky, sunshine, and 67 degrees. We left the Walmart parking lot this morning to continue our trek up the Natchez Trace Parkway. We have been stopping at most of the points of interest and historical markers. Many are just signs pointing out what used to be there or what historic event happened there.

Milepost 269.4 Confederate Gravesites and Old Trace. During the Civil War soldiers marched, camped and fought along portions of the Old Trace. Here are gravesites of 13 unknown Confederate soldiers. The original headstones, which may have had names, disappeared long ago but the National Park Service has replaced them.

Coins have been placed on all of the headstones as a token of respect by visitors to the graves, and flags and flowers also decorate each one.

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Confederate Gravesites on Old Trace

Milepost 286.7 Pharr Mounds. There are eight large dome-shaped burial mounds scattered over a 90-acre field here. A large sign here says that these mounds were built and used about 1,800 to 2,000 years ago.

Pharr Mounds

Pharr Mounds

An access road to Tishomingo State Park is at Milepost 304.5.  This is only about 40 miles from where we were last night. We will stay here for the next three nights while we wait for a cold front to pass and the weather to warm before we continue. There are 62 campsites, but there are not even 10 campers here so it’s pretty quiet.

Tishomingo State Park, #30

Tishomingo State Park, #30

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:   $13
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Natchez Trace Parkway

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Still moving north, but taking our time. I hear there’s another cold front to watch out for up there. It was nice here today, mostly sunny and got up to 70 degrees.

There are still many sections of the Old Natchez Trace and we stopped to see another one.

Old Natchez Trace

Old Natchez Trace

A big tornado in April 2011 took out about an 8 mile section of the Trace. It was sad to see so much of it torn out like that.

April, 2011, Tornado on the Trace

April, 2011, Tornado on the Trace

At Mile Marker 232.4 there are some Indian Mounds. A sign and an information exhibit explain about life here between 2,050 and 1,800 years ago.

Indian Mounds

Indian Mounds

We are now at the midpoint of the Natchez Trace and will spend the night at a Walmart in Tupelo. Tupelo is where Elvis Presley was born so we had to go to the Elvis Presley Museum and see the house.

Elvis Presley Birthplace

Elvis Presley Birthplace

  • Gasoline Expense:  $95 @ $3.26
  • Lodging Expense:   none
  • Admission Fees:     none
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Natchez Trace Parkway

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

At milepost 15.5 of the Natchez Trace is Mount Locust, one of the oldest structures in the state of Mississippi. This is also the last of more than 50 Inns that existed during the period of greatest use of the Old Natchez Trace, 1785-1830. It functioned both as an Inn for weary travelers and as a working plantation.

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Mount Locust

In the woods behind the Inn is the old slave cemetery, a sign lists the names of the slaves buried there. There’s also a short walking trail with interpretive signs that brings you around the rest of the plantation site.

Mount Locust Slave Cemetery

Mount Locust Slave Cemetery

There are still sections of the Old Trace Trail that have been preserved. Some areas of the trail have sunken due to years of travel and erosion.

Old Trace Trail

Sunken Trace

Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez Trace Parkway

There are many points of interest along the Trace. We stop at most of them. There’s not always something to see, sometimes just a trail head or a field where a significant building used to be, or perhaps a Civil War battlefield.

At milepost 54.8 is the old townsite of Rocky Springs. This used to be a vibrant community of about 2,616 people, but now population is zero because the spring for which the town was named had dried up, then there was the Civil War, yellow fever, destructive crop insects, and poor land management. Now all that’s left is a church and cemetery, a few rusting safes and several abandoned cisterns. A self-guided trail gives the details.

Rocky Springs

Rocky Springs

At the Rocky Springs area is one of the few free National Park campgrounds on the Trace. It’s first-come, first-served, and no hook-ups. There are only 20 spots here but only about half were taken. There is also no cell phone service and no internet service. We were able to pick up a few TV channels with our antenna. The temperature dropped to around 37 overnight.

In the morning we continued up the Trace, stopping at more points of interest. There are a few places where there are old Indian mounds.

Indian Mound

Indian Mounds

At milepost 122.0 a trail takes us through a Bald Cypress Swamp.

Bald Cypress Swamp

Bald Cypress Swamp

Milepost 180.7 French Camp. There was an Inn here, and now there is a small community that includes a private school. We stopped at a museum that has several historical old buildings and some sorghum processing equipment. We had some Mississippi Mud cake at the cafe.

French Camp

French Camp

Tonight we are at milepost 193.1 Jeff Busby campground. There are 18 spots here and only half occupied. Also free and no hookups, but at least we do have cell service with internet and TV.

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:   none
  • Admissions Fees:    none

 

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Emerald Mound

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

We haven’t experienced thunder and lightning for a long time but last night we got some. That must be a sign of spring! It wasn’t severe at all and we slept well.

At Milepost 10.3 of the Natchez Trace Parkway and across the road from Natchez State Park where we are camped, is Emerald Mound. This an old Indian mound about eight acres in size and is the second largest temple mound in the United States. Two secondary mounds sit on top of the base mound.

Emerald Mound

Emerald Mound

This is a really big mound! It remains a mystery as to how many people, days, or years of labor it took to build it back around year 1200, and how they did it. Archaeologists believe the mounds were the setting for elaborate civic processions, ceremonial dances, and religious rituals.

Emerald Mound

Emerald Mound

A path takes you up the mound and then 50 wooden steps to the top of the secondary mound. It does make you think what life must have been like for them back then.

Emerald Mound

Emerald Mound

Tomorrow we break camp and continue driving on up the Natchez Trace Parkway.

  • Gasoline Expense:  $40 @ $3.24
  • Lodging Expense:   $13
  • Admission Fees:   none
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Natchez, Mississippi

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

The Natchez Trace Parkway, part of the National Park System, runs 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. First it was an animal trail used by American Indians. Then, in the 1800’s, it was the main return route for Ohio Valley traders who after bringing their goods down the Mississippi River would sell their boats for the price of the lumber and would walk home. When steamboats came to the river in the mid 1800’s that changed everything.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez Trace Parkway

At Mile Marker 5.1 is the Elizabeth Female Academy Site. Founded in 1818, it was the first school for women chartered by the state of Mississippi.

Elizabeth Female Academy Site

Elizabeth Female Academy Site

We only drove 8 miles of the Trace today. We wanted to spend more time exploring the town of Natchez, so we back-tracked a bit.

There is a ton of history here, and we found some of it. Our first stop was to visit Natchez Under-The-Hill. This landing spot on the river was the beginnings of the town. It has since moved to the bluff above. Back in the day it was a very despicable place, filled with pirates, highwaymen, gamblers, and prostitutes. Now it’s part of the town’s charm.

Natchez Under-The-Hill

Natchez Under-The-Hill

While we were down there we stopped for lunch at Magnolia Grill. The food was very good, service was great, and prices reasonable and we had a table by the window for a view of the Mississippi River.

Magnolia Grill

Magnolia Grill

Natchez is the oldest European settlement on the Mississippi River. It was settled by French, English, Spanish, Scottish, Irish and Italians. The whole town is a museum and they have embedded directional arrows in the walkway to guide you on different walking trails and there are interpretive panels everywhere. Natchez will be 300 years old and will celebrate it’s Tri-centennial in 2016.

Natchez Trails - Museum of Streets

Natchez Trails – Museum of Streets

The locals here have been so friendly. While we were out and about people would talk to us and welcome us and hoped we have a good visit.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides are available here, but we did not do that today.

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

Horse Drawn Carriage Rides

There is also a driving tour of historic houses which includes at least a dozen Antebellum homes, many are open for tours.

Linden, Antebellum House

Linden, Antebellum House

Melrose, a Greek Revival Mansion, was considered to be the finest home in all of the Natchez region. It is now part of the National Park Service. We toured this today. It is currently being renovated. The inside is fully furnished with original furniture and decor with “all that fine taste and a full purse” could provide. The park ranger guided us through the first and second floors and explained about the history of the place.

Melrose

Melrose

  • Gasoline Expense:  None
  • Lodging Expense:   $13
  • Admission Fees:      $10
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Tabasco Sauce

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

The world’s only Tabasco bottling plant is near Lafayette, Louisiana. How could we resist a free factory tour?

Tabasco Factory

Tabasco Factory Tour

The pepper-scent of Tabasco greeted us as we drove into the parking lot. It wasn’t an eye-watering strong pepper smell, but mild and quite pleasant. It was noon when we got there and we were hungry so we shared a cup of beans and rice as well as a cup of a corn/crawfish over rice both seasoned perfectly, of course, with Tabasco sauce.

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Tabasco

On this property is grown the pepper plants that produce the seeds that are sent to fields in other countries where the peppers are grown and picked and shipped back here where it is bottled and then sold in many different countries. This is the only Tabasco bottling plant in the world right here. 700,000 bottles every day.

Tabasco Bottling Tour

Tabasco Bottling Tour

The free tour included a small museum and then a 10-minute video about the history and the whole process of getting the hot sauce made. After the video we entered a hallway where we could watch through a glass wall to see the bottling process. The Tabasco Brand Green Sauce that was being processed today will be sent to Brazil.

Bottling Tabasco Sauce

Bottling Tabasco Sauce

The country store here sold all things Tabasco, you name it, they had it with a Tabasco logo. We were treated to free tastes of Tabasco flavored ice cream, and Tabasco flavored soda. Interesting, but not for me. There were also tastes of every variety of Tabasco sauce they make, some I’ve never seen before. They have a new Sweet & Spicy one that is delicious, and just this week they came out with a new Siracha sauce, delicious too. Watch for it. The tour guide gave us each a handful of mini-bottles of different flavors on our way out.

Tabasco Sauces

Tabasco Sauces

Next we went to downtown Lafayette to have a look around. After driving through the historic downtown we saw this old church. The Cathedral of Saint John The Evangelist, built in 1916 and is on the National Register of Historic Properties. We walked around the property and went inside. Beautiful.

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette, LA
Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette, LA

And the cemetery behind the church.

Cemetary at St. John

Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, Lafayette, LA

On the church property is one of the largest Live Oak trees in the United States, estimated to be almost 500 years old. The trunk diameter is nine feet two inches and the circumference is twenty eight feet nine inches. What a beauty.

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500 Year Old Live Oak, Lafayette, LA

We have gone as far west as we are going to be for this winter. Our plan is to take the Natchez Trace Parkway north out of Natchez, Mississippi, 444 miles to it’s end at Nashville, Tennessee. After that we will go to the east coast and up to Washington, DC, hopefully in time for the Cherry Blossom Festival. After that we’ll go to Connecticut and New Hampshire before going to Minnesota.

Tonight we have landed at Natchez State Park, near the entrance to the Natchez Trace Parkway. We’ll be here a few days before we begin.

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Natchez State Park, MS, #9

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:  $13
  • Admission Fees:  none

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Baton Rouge

Posted on March 11, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

After the rain stopped this morning we thought it would be a good idea to visit Baton Rouge, the Louisiana state capitol city. It remained cloudy all day with occasional spots of light rain.

The historic 160-year-old Old State Capitol building overlooks the Mississippi River. A newer Capitol building is on the other side of town. This old one is now a political museum. Admission is free.

Historic Old Capitol Building in Baton Rouge

Historic Old Capitol Building in Baton Rouge

The first thing you see upon entering is a beautiful spiral staircase. The attendant there handed us a self-guided tour paper and we went off to explore the building on our own.

Louisiana's Old State Capitol

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol

Looking straight up from the staircase is a beautiful stained glass dome.

Louisiana's Old State Capitol

Louisiana’s Old State Capitol

The main floor included several rooms of Louisiana’s political history as well as much about the history of Baton Rouge, including the 1935 assassination of Governor Huey P. Long. The 2nd floor holds the governor’s portrait gallery. There is also supposed to be a ghost here. The Ghost Hunters TV crew was here last year to investigate it. It is the ghost of Sarah Morgan from the Civil-War era who loved the castle. We did not meet her.

Across from the Old Capitol, behind the levee, is the Mississippi River. The city has dressed up the levee into a lovely park, a big boat dock, and a riverwalk. Also permanently docked at the park is the USS Kidd, the centerpiece of Louisiana Naval War Memorial.

Riverfront Plaza

Riverfront Plaza

Big Boat Dock

Big Boat Dock

Riverwalk

Riverwalk

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

  • Gasoline Expense:  $47 @ $3.19
  • Lodging Expense:   none
  • Admission Fees:  none
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A Parade and A Plantation

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Just because Mardi Gras is over doesn’t mean partying ends. The small town of Independence LA had their Sicilian Heritage Festival, with a parade, a spaghetti cookoff, a meatball throwing contest and more. It was just a few miles from where we were so we went to check it out. The parade was more like the parades we are used to seeing and nothing like the Mardi Gras parades. I did score some more strings of beads and some candy.

Parade

Parade

We’ve been to several community festivals all over the country the last two or three years and none of them had cheese curds, much to my disappointment. Back home in Minnesota you will find deep-fried cheese curds on every corner of almost every fair or festival in the state. So, I was pleased to see my favorite treat at the festival.  However, when we went to order them they said they were “out.”  😦

Cheese Curds!

Cheese Curds!

The sun came out and it was 80 today! We went for a drive along the Mississippi River. From the river road you cannot see the water because it’s all held behind a levee, but it can be seen from the bridge. Cargo ships and barges line the shore here.

On The Mississippi River

On The Mississippi River

Several old sugar plantation houses remain along the river here. Oak Alley Plantation is a National Historic landmark and recognized for having one of the most spectacular settings in the entire Mississippi Valley. We bought tickets for the guided tour and spent the afternoon exploring the house and the grounds. There is a long list of productions that were filmed in part or entirely on this location including Hush, Hush, Sweet Charlotte (Bette Davis, 1965), Interview with the Vampire (Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, 1993), and a paranormal investigation by Ghost Hunters in August 2008. You have probably seen it on TV or in magazines too.

Oak Alley Plantation

Oak Alley Plantation

Slave Quarters

Slave Quarters

Almost 200 men and women were enslaved here at Oak Alley before the Civil War. The remaining slave quarters now contain artifacts and information about that and one wall includes their names in a respectful memorial.

Slave Names

Slave Names

City and county parks and county and state fairgrounds often have RV parks at bargain prices. We found Lamar Dixon Expo Center RV Park on the internet and decided that was the area we wanted to be today. The net said they have 284 sites with full hook-ups and are open year round. We were surprised to be here alone. But I’m sure it will fill up on the weekend when there will be a big Sportsman’s Show here.

Lamar Dixon Expo Center RV Park, Gonzales, LA

Lamar Dixon Expo Center RV Park, Gonzales, LA

  • Gasoline Expense:  $100 @ $3.13
  • Lodging Expense:  $25
  • Admission Fee:  $40
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Is it Spring Yet?

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Time for a little update. We’ve been at Fairview-Riverside State Park in Louisiana for the last several days. It’s been cold and wet so we haven’t been out much. On Fat Tuesday we watched the New Orleans Mardi Gras parades on TV in the comfort of our RV home. The rain kept the crowds away, but that did not stop the parades.

Fairview Riverside State Park #62

Fairview Riverside State Park #62

Now we are in Hammond. It’s still cool and there’s not a lot to see here, we’re just waiting for better weather. Now that Mardi Gras is over it’s crawfish season. There’s a market near us that sells hot boiled crawfish so we bought some and brought them home to eat. Messy, but they were tasty. The cold weather makes the crawfish harder to catch and drives the price up. What we bought today was $4.99/lb. But I have no idea if that was a high price or not, I have nothing to compare it to. We’re crawfish newbies.

Crawfish

Crawfish

Spring is in the air. Today was a littler drier and warmer than it has been for a while. The sun came out and we saw blue sky. The trees are budding out. I spotted this tree beginning to bloom. Flowering crab? Or a cherry? I’m not sure. It won’t be long now before we start making plans to go north.

Spring has Sprung

Flowering Crab

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:   none
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More Mardi Gras

Posted on March 2, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Last night (Saturday night) was the big Mardi Gras party night in New Orleans. We chose to stay out of it and watch the festivities on TV. It looked like an amazing fun night for those that were there. The largest of the parades ended its route by proceeding inside the Louisiana SuperDome to be part of a huge extravaganza where they continued to fling the coveted beads and other items to the cheering crowd. “Throw ‘Til it Hurts”. Live music, decorations, lights, and even some fireworks. What a blast.

There were several more parades scheduled for today (Sunday). We thought it would be easier for us if we went to town early, so we got there around 8:00 this morning. It was still a challenge to find a parking spot, but we did manage to find one just a few blocks from the parade route and still within walking distance of the French Quarter.

New Orleans

New Orleans

New Orleans Riverwalk

New Orleans Riverwalk

Of course partying in the French Quarter was huge last night, we saw the crowds packing Burbon Street on TV as well. This morning was very different. There were still people walking around, mostly old people like us, and some families with kids. Beer trucks were delivering more beer. Workers were busy removing the garbage from the streets. They even washed down the streets with what smelled like some kind of cleaning solution. Thank goodness for that, it had to have been a horrible mess. There were still a few beer drinkers in the streets. The bars are still open, jazz and blues music still blaring out from inside. We felt perfectly safe.

The Morning After
Burbon Street
Burbon Street
New Orleans French Market
Souveniers
New Orleans French Market

The parade did not go through the French Quarter but was a few blocks from it. After an excellent lunch at good seafood restaurant we walked over there to see the parade. There was no end to the people waiting. Many had ladders to elevate their vantage point, there were elevated platforms, bleachers, and fenced off private viewing areas you could sit in for a fee. We walked a few blocks before we found a free spot to watch.

Waiting for the Parade

Waiting for the Parade

Waiting for the Parade

Waiting for the Parade

The King

The King

Hey! Hey!

Hey! Hey!

Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras

It turned out to be a beautiful day 🙂  77 degrees and mostly sunny. I think I got a little sunburn.

  • Gasoline Expense:  $40  $3.17
  • Lodging Expense:   $55
  • Admission Fees:    none

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Mardi Gras Parade

Posted on March 1, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

I haven’t written the last several days because I haven’t had anything to say. Mostly we spent our time inside (a casino or the RV) since it’s been either foggy or cold or raining.

We spent nearly a week in Buccaneer State Park at Waveland, Mississippi. Hurricane Katrina nearly obliterated this park back in 2005. When we were here a few years ago they were open but still working on getting things back to normal. They’re looking good now, with all new facilities, new bathrooms, a wonderful new wadding pool, a new camp store and new laundry which was not open. They have even replaced a big water slide and a wave pool, but they were not open either.

Buccaneer State Park, #129

Buccaneer State Park, #129

Frost!

Frost!

One side trip we did take on one of the nicer days was to visit the The Depot at nearby Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.  This was on higher ground and survived the storm surge of Hurricane Katrina unlike a lot of the rest of the city. It is now Visitor Center and Museum.

Old Train Depot at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

The Depot at Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Included in the museum were some Mardi Gras displays with some really amazing costumes. Oh what fun it would be to party in that!

Mardi Gras Costumes

Mardi Gras Costumes

Buccaneer State Park worked out very well for us and the price was reasonable, but we’re ready to move on. We’re now at New Orleans East RV Park in Slidell, Louisiana. The weather is warming up a bit, hitting 70 degrees today. It’s more expensive here now because of the Mardi Gras draw. We’re paying $55/night but it could be worse. There is a very nice park in New Orleans just a few blocks from the French Quarter and all the big Mardi Gras parades and parties that would have cost us $199/night IF we could even get in.

New Orleans East RV Park, Slidell, LA, #E8

New Orleans East RV Park, Slidell, LA, #E8

There are several parades in the area and in New Orleans which is only 30 miles away. There will be more as it builds up to the big bash on Fat Tuesday just a few days from now. Last night we went to one in Slidell, about two miles from our campground. People lined up hours ahead of time waiting for the parade. We got there early, too, and waited with the thousands of people lined up on the streets with their lawn chairs and ladders.

IMG_3659

Bad Selfie

Loved the parade. It was NOTHING like any parade I ever saw in Minnesota. There are so many more people here, the crowds get big. The floats are very creative and filled with costumed and made up riders who toss out strings of the coveted beads along with stuffed animals and candy and toys. Some Moon Pies too. People run right up to the floats, raise their arms, and shout HEY! HEY! There were lots of children here and the crowd was really very well-behaved the whole time. We had fun!

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Mardi Gras Parade

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Mardii Gras Parade

Double Decker Float

Double Decker Float

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:  Buccaneer State Park: $24/night
  • Lodging Expense:  New Orleans East:        $55/night
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Farmers Market, BBQ, Old Cars, and a Parade

Posted on February 22, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Ahh, a beautiful sunny day! It’s been a while.

First thing this morning we went to the Ocean Springs Farmers Market where we found fresh local grown produce and baked goods, honey, crafts, potted plants and more. We bought some home baked bread and cookies, a squash, a pint of local honey, and some pickles, it was all so good.

Ocean Springs Farmers Market

Ocean Springs Farmers Market

After that we drove to D’Iberville to see the BBQ Throwdown. Not only were there several smokers there were arts and craft and other vendors and some carnival rides for kids, a petting zoo and pony rides. It was pretty early when we were there so the crowd was small and it was pretty quiet. We were able to purchase some wonderful mouthwatering, falling-off-the-bone, juicy, no-sauce-needed BBQ ribs that were to die for. If only we could sample from everyone!

Smokers
Smoker
Llama

One block over was the car show portion of this festival. This included old cars and street rods. It’s always fun to see the old cars and how they have been so carefully restored and/or creatively transformed into works of art.

Sears Allstar
DIberbille Car Show
D’Iberville Car Show
Studabaker

Growing up in Minnesota, Mardi Gras was a Southern thing so we never really knew much about it. I always thought it was one big parade and celebration on one day in New Orleans, Louisiana. It is actually way more than that. There are about 100 other smaller parades and celebrations in several other cities here in the south beginning in January and gradually increasing in frequency up until the big one in New Orleans. Besides Louisiana there are parades in Mississippi and in Alabama, and in Florida, I think even Texas has Mardi Gras parades, as well as St. Louis, Missouri. Could be more, I don’t know.

There was a “family friendly” Mardi Gras parade in Biloxi this afternoon that we wanted to see so we left the BBQ festival early and went to Biloxi for that. Candy was tossed from the floats and strings of beads, tokens, plastic cups, small toys, stuffed animals, and Moon Pies. We managed to get quite a lot of stuff without really trying, and Bernie even got a small bottle of vodka!

Our Haul From the Mardi Gras Parade

The Mississippi Gulf Coast was very heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina, the worst national disaster in the United States history in 2005. There is a memorial in the city park that we stopped to see. The memorial includes a 12 foot high granite wall that symbolizes the height of Katrina’s powerful tidal surge, and the names of those who died are etched in the wall. A glass case holds a sculpture created of personal keepsakes from victims of Hurricane Katrina.

Hurricane Katrina Memorial

Hurricane Katrina Memorial

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Casinos at Biloxi, Mississippi

What do you do if you want to build a nice restaurant on the beach overlooking the Gulf of Mexico and the new building codes say you have to be elevated? You elevate it, of course. This is actually a very common thing to see all along the coast, not only for restaurants but for businesses and homes.

McElroys Seafood Restaurant is Open

McElroys Seafood Restaurant is Open

  • Gasoline Expense:  $40
  • Lodging Expense:   $11
  • Admission Fees:   none
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Fog and a ‘Gator

Posted on February 20, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

We have extended our stay here at Davis Bayou Campground through the weekend. I think we have a prime spot. The campground has been full to capacity every day with several RVs being turned away. There is a limit of 14 days and Sunday will be only our 7th day. We’ll decide on Sunday if we will stay or go.

The weather has just been gloomy. Some days of thick fog and rain and clouds just leave us feeling lethargic. Occasionally the sun will make an appearance. One day we walked some of the trails in the forest around the campground. An alligator was lurking in a pond by the road. He was there when we passed later in the day and still there in that same spot the next day.

Alligator

Alligator

On one day we drove to Biloxi. The fog hid the view of the Gulf of Mexico from us. The beach here goes on for many miles but nobody was out walking on them. Biloxi has several large casinos and we visited a few of them before exploring further west. Hurricane Katrina devastated this whole area from here through Louisiana in 2005. You can still see empty driveways and foundations where homes and businesses used to be, and reconstruction continues still.

A cast-iron lighthouse, the Biloxi signature landmark, stands proud in the median between the eastbound and the westbound lanes of Hwy 90 along the shore. It was damaged during Katrina but has been repaired.

Biloxi Lighthouse, 1848

Biloxi Lighthouse, 1848

Other than driving around, shopping and eating we’ve just been mostly staying inside watching TV. Just waiting for the weather to improve. But there is some bumpy weather forecast for tonight. Maybe then things will improve.

In the mean time, our alligator friend has moved to the other side of the road.

Alligator

Alligator

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:   $11
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A Little West

Posted on February 16, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

We’re just taking our time the last few days moving a little further west. There is no hurry. Besides Walmart there are other big box stores that permit overnight RV parking in their lots; some Bass Pro Shops ok it too. We always ask permission first and appreciate being able to stay for free and do shop in their stores. We watched the Olympic Winter Games on TV while we were staying there.

Bass Pro Shop

Bass Pro Shop

We did spend last night at a Walmart. Usually there is no problem when we do this, but last night was a noisy one. Too much traffic all night kept us from getting a good night’s sleep.

Walmart

Walmart

It looks like spring time here. Walmart’s garden center has tomato plants ready for purchase. Today was warmer than it has been in a while, getting up to around 70 degrees, and it was great to see the blue sky and sunshine.

Tomato Plants

Tomato Plants

Now we’re in Gulf Islands National Seashore – Davis Bayou Campground near the town of Ocean Springs, Mississippi. With Bernie’s National Senior Pass we can camp here for only $11/night and we have water and electricity. It’s a small campground that fills up quickly. They do not take reservations but we got here early and scored a good spot.

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Davis Bayou Campground, #30

Gulf Islands National Seashore, Davis Bayou Campground, #30

We did take the Jeep out for a drive around just to see what’s in the area. We drove out to Pascagoula to see what’s there. This is a ship building community and we could see some of that activity. It is Sunday so the streets were very quiet and parking lots empty. Then back home and watching more of the Olympics on TV.

Looks Like a Ship Being Built

Looks Like a Ship Being Built

  • Gasoline Expense:  $99 @ $3.09
  • Lodging Expense:   $11
Posted in Daily Post, February, Mississippi | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Daffodils and a Pier

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

After all the rain lately it was so nice to see the sun and the blue sky today so we went for a drive to see the area. We found ourselves in Fairhope, Alabama. This pretty little town has an historic downtown with lovely shops and restaurants lining the main street. Every street corner was beautifully planted with daffodils, and the sidewalks lined with flower filled boxes, it was so pretty.  But it was too cold and windy for us to spend any time walking around, so we found a restaurant for a late lunch and then headed home.

Daffodils

Daffodils

Before we went home for the day we made a quick stop to see the Gulf State Park Pier. This is the largest pier on the Gulf of Mexico. It includes a concession area and an indoor retail area for fishing tackle and souvenirs and also has a comfort station at the midpoint. With it being so cold and windy there were not many people fishing, and the ones who were said that the fish were not biting today.

Gulf State Park Pier in Alabama

Gulf State Park Pier in Alabama

  • Gasoline Expense:  $40 @ $3.14
  • Lodging Expense:   $29.25
Posted in Alabama, Daily Post, February | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Still Here

Posted on February 12, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

It’s been several days since my last blog. The weather has not been very cooperative, being cold and wet with only a few peeks of sunshine so we haven’t done much. But we can’t really complain too hard since snow and ice storms in the rest of the country are avoiding us.

Lois has rented a very nice condo for the winter and we spent some time with her there and enjoyed her view and a walk on the beach. A Great Blue Heron stops by every day for a visit. Lois does not feed it but perhaps a previous tenant may have. She has named him Herman.

View Condo

View From Condo

As we walked the beach we spotted Herman waiting patiently for the possibility of a snack from a local fisherman.

Gulf Shore

Gulf Shore

One sunny morning we were able to hike a trail at Big Lagoon State Park where we are staying. But by the end of the day it was cloudy and raining again.

Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park

Another cold cloudy morning we returned to the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola to see more of it. The world-famous Blue Angels are based here and often can be seen practicing over the museum. However they have not been flying lately either because of budget cuts or because of the bad weather so we did not have the pleasure of seeing that. But inside the museum can be found the older jets on display.

Blue Angels

Blue Angels

A recent addition to the museum is a replica of the unmanned drone.

Unmaned Drone

X47B Unmanned Combat Air System

Gulf State Park in Alabama is a popular place, with almost 500 campsites. The park was nearly filled to capacity and we were lucky to have scored a reservation there. It rained hard all night last night and was still raining lightly this morning when it was time for us to leave Big Lagoon State Park in Florida and we drove in the rain the less than 10 miles west to Gulf State Park.

Gulf State Park, Alabama

Gulf State Park, Alabama, #193

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:   $29.25
Posted in Alabama, Daily Post, February, Florida | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Random Sculptures in the Woods

Posted on February 5, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

Finally, a nice sunny day.  My friend, Lois, took us for a drive and we found some unusual things in the woods. The first thing we saw was a dinosaur crossing and four realistic dinosaur sculptures hiding in the trees so we stopped for some pictures.

Dinosaur Crossing

Dinosaur Crossing

Triceratops

Triceratops

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Stegosaurus

Also in the woods very near the dinosaurs is a full-size fiberglass Stonehenge. Not made of stone, but rather a fiberglass type of material. Just like the dinosaurs, there were no signs and no information about who built this here, or when, or why. They are in the trees that line the access road to Barber Marina in Alabama, between Foley AL and Pensacola FL so we assume that might have something to do with it.

Alabama Stonehenge

Alabama Stonehenge

And there’s more. Right at the marina is a giant spider sculpture.

Giant Spider

Giant Spider

There is a beautiful fountain at the entrance to the marina.

Fountain at Barber Marina in Alabama

Fountain at Barber Marina in Alabama

And near the fountain you can find life-size statues of four knights lurking in the woods. Just like the dinosaurs and the Stonehenge and the spider there are no signs and they are not advertised as attractions, but they are interesting. We had fun exploring them.

One of Four Knights at Barber Marina

One of Four Knights at Barber Marina

I suppose there could be more interesting things in the trees by that marina and we looked around but did not see anything else. 

We were getting hungry and stopped to eat at Lambert’s Cafe in Foley, Alabama. This is the home of throwed rolls. Yes, they throw a large hot roll to you if you want one, sometimes from clear across the room. And while you are eating they walk around the room with large bowls of  “pass arounds” and offer you addition servings of sides.

Lambert's Cafe in Foley, Alabama

Lambert’s Cafe in Foley, Alabama

On our way home we stopped for a walk on the beach. It was still sunny but on the beach it was kinda cold and windy so we didn’t stay long.

Alabama

Alabama

Even the birds were cold.

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

This sunset was a nice finish to a long, but fun, day.

IMG_3404

  • Gasoline Expense:  none  (Thank you, Lois)
  • Lodging Expense:   $22
Posted in Alabama, Daily Post, February | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Big Lagoon State Park

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

There was some rain over night and we woke to a dense fog in the morning. Once the fog began to let up we went for a long walk to explore the park. It remained cloudy all day. There’s a boardwalk that leads out of the campground so we went to see where it would take us.

Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park

No Swimming Here

No Swimming Here

The boardwalk and trail took us over a pond, through the woods and salt marshes by several pavilions in the day use area and ending at an observation tower. This is a popular spot for bird watchers and is also the “gateway site” for the Great Florida Birding Trail.

IMG_3343

Observation Tower

Big Lagoon State Park

Big Lagoon State Park

dfh

Condos on Perdido Key

There are still very few people in the park but we did meet one couple on the boardwalk. As we chatted with them we learned that they are from near my home town in Minnesota and they knew my parents. Small world.

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:   $22
Posted in Daily Post, February, Florida | Tagged , | Leave a comment

New Location

Posted on February 3, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

I said this is a (almost) daily blog but it’s been a few days since I had anything to blog about. The last few days have been rather uneventful as we were just driving but I just want to let everyone know that we are still alive and well and on the road.

We have slowly been making our way to Big Lagoon State Park near Pensacola, Florida, where we will spend the next six days.

Big Lagoon State Park, #20

Big Lagoon State Park, #20

The campground was nearly empty when we arrived so it’s very quiet now. It had been closed for the last week due to a controlled burn and just opened up this morning.

Once we got set up and settled in we went to meet Lois, my friend from Minnesota who is wintering in a condo near here. It was great catching up with her. We will see her again soon.

  • Gasoline Expense:  none
  • Lodging Expense:   $22
Posted in Daily Post, February, Florida | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Cedar Key and Shell Mound

Posted on January 31, 2014 by Marsha Brecht

The past few days have been cool and wet so we haven’t been out much. Now the forecast for today was to be a little warmer and sunny so drove about 30 miles to the coast to visit Cedar Key. This small island community is a historic port and was once a major supplier of seafood and timber products.

One of the first things we saw when we arrived was a handful of old cars parked near the marina. That caught Bernie’s attention for several minutes.

IMG_3285

Old Cars

We walked around the marina and along some of the historic streets enjoying the nice shops and restaurants.  We did stop for a cup of the world’s best clam chowder, made from local clams.

Cedar Key

Cedar Key

IMG_3299

Cedar Key

We stopped at the Cedar Key Historical Museum (The Andrews House) and learned about the history of the area and were greeted by Dr. Andrews who was born in the same house that is now the Museum. He gave us a tour and demonstrated to us how his father had begun the business of extracting fiber from the palm trees that grew in the area. He also made whisk brooms from the fiber, and the business became a major industry in the community.

A large shell mound, now a county park, can be found outside of town.  28 feet high and covering around 5 acres this 6,000 year old mound consists of oyster shells, fish, turtle, and deer bones, remnants of unknown cultures. Now overgrown with trees and brush a trail takes you around the area where you can still see millions of the shells that make up the area.

IMG_3308

Shell Mound County Park at Cedar Key

The sun left us for most of the day and rain was intermittent. We drove home in the rain.

  • Gasoline Expense:  $35 @ $3.36
  • Lodging Expense:  $15.50
  • Admission Exp:       $4

Posted in Daily Post, Florida, January | Tagged , | Leave a comment