HurricaneMaine

Natchez

After finishing the Trace, I decided to stay in a hotel as there were heavy rains. It was a good chance to charge everything and to watch a few shows!

Natchez is a cool little town. I started the morning by walking the bluff overlooking the Mississippi .

This is the ar a under th bluff with some historic buildings and wonderful food.

The Forks of the Road is where the slave trades were held when they were forced to be just out of city limits for fear of cholera outbreaks.

The William Johnson house was wonderful. A former slave that was emancipated, he became a businessman with his barber shop and an upstanding citizen that was well respected even though he maintained slaves as well. What is great about his museum was that he kept extensive diaries and with that there is a great understanding of Natchez life at that time. His daughter also kept an extensive diary.

Downtown Natchez

I then stopped off at the Rosedown State Historic site which is an incredible plantation with original furnishings and gardens. There is extensive history here.

The oldest oak in Louisiana . It has a lightening rod atop of it.

The doctors house

The daughter that inherited the house during the civil war would take off the over garments until her underthings and hoops were showing. When army men came into the house, they would see her state of undress and leave as it was considered improper. This kept the building intact and precious heirlooms were not stolen to make bullets.

The tapestry was given to one of the family from Martha Washington.

The library has first edition Mark Twain books.

From there, I headed to Baton Rouge to visit the Leo’s whom I worked with in China. So excited to see them!

Vicksburg

Downtown Vicksburg was beautiful and quaint. There are little museums and great murals.

The museum that I visited is the Lower Mississippi museum that talks about sustaining the Mississippi, controlling flooding, moving materials, and sustaining ecosystems. I also toured the Mississippi barge.

The National Military Park has the monuments and history of one of the most important battles of the civil war. It is pretty solemn to see the state monuments on both lines.

I went to Cedar Hill cemetery to find the grave of Douglas the camel that carried supplies for the Confederates. He is not actually buried there as his bones was used for mementoes. He is honored along with the any others that were buried in the areas of the cemetery. Looking around at the graves and the others that were buried by their actual family, the loss of life is profound.

The USS Cairo was a Union gunboat that was sunk in the civil war. It is pretty impressive along with the artifacts that were rescued from it.

The view nearby of the Mississippi and the Yazoo river (where the Cairo was sunk). The Mississippi is to the far left.

The Natchez Trace

The Natchez Trace are a series of Native American trails that was used in the 1700’s and 1800’s for traveling between Nashville and Natchez (which is near the Mississippi). It has tremendous history and many different things have happened along this trail. I loved driving it even though I started in Tupelo and will do the northern portion on another trip.

Many of the markers were for missions, stations where people could get goods or stay, locations of the Chickasaw settlements, agencies where people were the go betweens between settlers and native Americans, and geologic information about the best places for farmland. DeSoto also crossed near the middle of the trace in 1540.

The owl Creek mounds were used from 1000 to 1500 and dwellings were built on top.

I laughed at the witch dance stop as the sign said there were stories of witches here and that you should walk around to look for places that the grass does not grow. What a great way to stretch your legs!

Bynum mounds wher woodland Indians lived.

I enjoyed the little walks on the nature trails and those that were still part of the old trace trail. I especially liked the trails through the cypress swamps.

The reservoir stop was beautiful!

Cowles Mead made a tavern along the Trace and held many government offices. He pursued Aaron Burr for treason and built a house along this road. All that is left is his grave.

I stopped a night at Rocky Springs campground. This is where a community lived that was supported by the Trace. All that is left here is a church. I built a fire which was doused an hour later by major thunderstorms. It was a peaceful night sleep though.

Grindstone Ford is a place where a water mill was located and troops who stayed here during the Burr conspiracy to allegedly secede the western states. What is left here are some graves.

The Mangum mounds were the Plaque and culture that had advanced agriculture tied to religion. Evidence from the mound shows high infant mortality and that when the chief dies, his servants were slain and buried with him.

I did get out to walk around these goats on the side road that did not want to move in order to view the mounds.

A section of the old trace that is sunken below the ground level.

Windsor ruins were built between 1859 and 1861 by plantation owner Smith Coffee Daniell II. With 25 grand Corinthian columns it was considered one of the most elaborate homes in the pre-Civil War South. It survived the Civil War as it was used by Union troops as an observation post and field hospital. In 1890, a guest accidentally started a fire and only the 23 surviving columns standing as ruins.

An old inn still exists in the Trace, though it was closed.

Emerald Mound was built by the Mississippians was used for temples and ceremonies as well as burials. The top of the mound would hold the place of the religious leader.

I also spent some time in Vicksburg and Natchez.

Mississippi – Tupelo

I drove to Tupelo to be able to start the Natchez Trace the next morning. I bought some non refrigerated food and snacks as there is not much in the way. Then I found out that this is the birthplace of Elvis! I stopped to take a picture of the hardware store his mother worked at and where she bought him his first guitar.

The town square has a statue of Elvis and there are guitar signs all over.

One of Elvis’s favorite places to eat is Johnnie’s. His favorite was the Doughburger. In the 30’s they had to ration meat and they added flour and spices in order to stretch the meat to feed the family. Delicious and cheap. A cheeseburger and coleslaw was 4.89.

His birthplace is close by. Of course it was closed but, that happens.

At the diner I asked about the murals that are supposed to be somewhere in town and they suggested I park on the main street and walk as the. Murals are on the sides of building off of the main street. A good way to stretch my legs.

And the one thing I learned about travel so far in Mississippi is that the people her are the nicest! I spent the night in Cracker Barrel parking lot and the next more ing had one of their amazing breakfasts before setting out.

Gulf shores

Welcome to RV life. A cracked windshield but an awesome insurance company that sets up the appointment. Lots of options in Alabama and Florida. Fixed quickly.

I was headed to Big Lagoon State Park in Florida when I heard from Patty Grayson and was going to be close to her. I decided to drive a little further and meet her for lunch. We walked Navarre beach and chatted a bunch. It was good to talk to her.

Big Lagoon State Park

I stopped in Mobile to try to find the azalea trail but construction made the parking difficult and I decided to just head to Tupelo to be able to start the Natchez Trace Parkway. I did get some pictures of azaleas in bloom.

Alabama

First stop is Montgomery and Selma. I was interested in civil rights and voting rights. I toured the Alabama courthouse.

I also visited Old Alabama Town. Nice original types of houses.

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice was amazing and humbling. They hung metal pieces with names of people who had been lynched in counties throughout the nation. Visually effective and somber.

Charles Freeman House.

I also walked the Edmund Pettus bridge. That was very emotional as well in following the footsteps of those for voting and equal rights.

I spent three nights at the Historic Blakeley State Park. Peaceful, wonderful, lots of hiking, and met some new friends!

I drove through Magnolia Springs. Pretty little town.

I also hiked through the dune trails of Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge.

I also saw a blood r d moon!

Back in the US of A

I really was not sure of what I wanted to do after the Europe vacation. I was missing community, missing family, and feeling guilty. As I had a dog sitting commitment and my daughter’s graduation. I decided this might be the time to try driving across states I have not been to. I had been following can life and minivan camping and decided that a Toyota Sienna minivan was the way to start.

I landed in Pittsburgh and literally the next day bought a 22 hybrid. I love it. It does not have all of the bells and whistles which is fine with me. I loved how it drives and was happy to have it. I got it ready in a week and drove to the pet sitting after a huge snowstorm. I spent the first night sleeping in it when it was 14 degrees out. A heated blanket, a battery pack, and lots of blankets was helpful.

During the pet sit I outfitted it with more things , window covers, portable toilet, etc. I also planned out where things will be stored. I also enjoyed the cuddly pup. Pippa was so much fun and loveable.

It was wonderful to spend weeks in Peachtree, Georgia. I always love seeing Candy and David and their new family member Pippa made it especially enjoyable.

Let another adventure begin.

Galway

From Cork, I went to Galway. At this point, I wasn’t completely excited. For the first time in my travels I was sick and it was taking awhile to get over. Just a bad cold but enough to make me go to bed early and feel pretty crappy in the afternoon.

But on to Galway I went. It rained almost ethe while time and the kind of rain that comes in sideways and gets you completely soaked even if you have a long raincoat. But it was beautiful, especially with countryside. And Irish people are one of the most friendly around.

Plaque to the soldiers of the Spanish Armada in Fort Hill graveyard. The Spanish ship wrecked off the coast of Ireland in 1588. It had failed to invade England. When the survivors washed ashore, they were captured by the English authorities and executed when no good or riches were with them. Irish citizens buried them in the cemetery. The plaque reads: May their souls be at God’s right hand.

At the end of the Long Walk near the Claddagh where fisherman used to bring in their catch.

Looking at the Claddagh across the river Corrib. It is the fastest flowing river in Europe.

The Spanish arch.

Statue of Oscar Wilde.

Remnant of a wall where a father hung his own son for breaking a law. it seems that this story has been told in different places at different times… The wall was actually moved a few times.

One day I decided to walk to salt hill with some chance of rain. Of course there was a lot. It is the west coast of Ireland.

I learned that the old city wall really mains intact and they built a mall around it. I am standing on the second story of the mall.

Kylemore abby and Cong

Constructed in 1867 for the Henry’s, they had a castle like mansion, a greenhouse warmed from the heat from the house and water that even grew bananas. They were beloved by the people in the community.

His wife Margaret died unexpectedly while in Africa with the family. Before returning with her remains, a Gothic chapel with mausoleum was constructed. It contains marble columns from all 4 parts of Ireland.

After passing through another family’s hands, it was acquired by Irish Benedictine monks who were displaced during WWI. Now there is still a monastery and a girl’s school.

A copy of the Book of Kells, amazing artistry.

Cong Abbey was built in 1120. It was a major religious center in the area. The town gained international attention with John Wayne’s film “The Quiet Man”.

This is the monks fishing house which had a slit in the floor for fishing, a fireplace, and even a bell connected to the abbey to alert there will be fish for dinner!

Congs woods

The Quiet Man with John Wayne has made this a popular tourist spot.

Sights of the countryside on the way to our destinations.

Cliffs of Moher

From Galway I took a tour to Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. On the way there, we stopped at Dunguaire Castle in Kinvara. Built in the 16th century, it consists of a tall rectangular keep, defensive walls, and corner turrets. Its design is mostly for local power and defense.

It fell into disrepair and was revitalized in the early 20th century. Folklore gives many stories of ghostly banquets being held there. Other folklore tells of King Guaire the Generous that lived before the castle was ever constructed. He would give to everyone who asked and also ruled judiciously. His son was convicted of a serious crime and he still ruled he be beheaded even if it was his son.

Inside the walls of the castle.

We then drove through the Burren. 330 million years ago when Ireland was near the equator there were many marine organisms that formed limestone seabeds over time. During tectonic uplift, the beds were lifted and cooled at the surface, cracking in areas. Grikes are the deep vertical fissures and clints are the flat limestone blocks. Water mixing with carbon dioxide creates a weak acid which dissolved some of the limestone . The karst formations created underground streams and caves, deep fissures, etc. 2 million years ago the glaciers moved across the area removing the top layer soil, bringing some soil into the cracks and debris like rocks. The limestone was exposed. Plants grew in the cracks, and the area looks like a lunar landscape. Arctic alpine plants coexist beside Mediterranean plants. Grazing animals in winter help to stop shrubs from growing.

The Poulnabrone Dolman are 5000 year old burial structures. It is a burial monument. This one held the remains of 33 individuals with artifacts like jewelry. The well preserved bones give a good idea of what their life was like.

On the way to Doolin village, we saw this castle. Leamaneh castle was first built in 1480 for defense. It was added to in 1648 to create more of a manor house. “Red Mary” was the lady of the house, rode horses like a man. And even had people hung from the top of her house. When her beloved husband died, she had to marry another for protection from people taking over the house. It is said she killed at least one of her husbands that way. She was a powerful landholder in a very turbulent time in Ireland.