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 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 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.
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.
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 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.
At 8 weeks post total knee replacement, the first part of the summer was just chilling with Ken and Sunni, physical therapy and daily knee exercises. Of course seeing Nina and all the cute kitties made the days go by quickly as well as lunches with friends and spending some time with my brother and sister-in-law.
In August I flew to Montana to see Becca and her husband Ryan. We went to wild horse Island by boat to walk around. Very peaceful and a beautiful day.
We also went to see the Fair one evening. It was fun to see the dirt bike riders and also see all the animals exhibited at the fair.
I explored Fort Missoula to look at the historic buildings. The fort was used for internment of Japanese and Italians during World War I.
We also traveled to see Gus, a 1000 year old tree. Pretty cool to be able to walk around it and compare to the other trees.
But the best part was just spending time with Becca.
I usually only come home once a year and then spend time traveling between family members. Here in PA there were some hikes, bike rides, and fun runs (walks for me).
Most of the time it is Sunni and I trying to stay out of trouble…
Stop at Brady’s bend after lunch with Mom
I spent one day with my friend Michele Belak which started with a morning race and ended with an evening race on the trails here in PA. In between we drove back and forth and stopped to see her horse. It was good to catch up with her. In the past, we used to meet at several races over the summer. It was great to catch up with her and hear about the people we worked with at Citizens Ambulance when we were in college.
One night Ryan and I rode bikes in an event called critical mass. Over 100 people participated in a 24 mile ride through the streets of Pittsburgh. The point is to take back the roads from cars and bring awareness that bikes have rights also. Here we are headed to the start of the ride.
Ryan and I also hiked some trails near Kittanning. They are small trails but very quiet and peaceful.
Afterwards we biked through the city of Pittsburgh from the north side to the south side along the trails and the rivers.
In front of the fountain at the point
Another road trip was to take my dad’s ashes to Buffalo and Erie. We visited the graves of my grandparents and stopped to see Duann, a friend from childhood.
Lake Erie
An event in Pittsburgh called picklesburgh also took place. Fun having some pickle egg rolls, pickle fudge, and other things.
And of course I played with everyone’s cats. This is the baby of Sunni’s and is a Maine coon.
The Thelma Sunni and Louise road trip this year was to Nashville. We stopped in Glasgow, Kentucky to see relatives of Sunni and then headed to Nashville the next morning.
The first stop was at Cooters Nashville. It is a museum to the Dukes of Hazzard, a TV series from the 1970’s. Fun! The General Lee was parked out front.
Our hotel was close to Broadway where all the honky tonks are found.
One of the favorite places for sunni to eat was Margaritaville.
One of our favorites was the John Bon Jovi bar where there was a constant stream of amateur musicians playing.
The Johnny Cash museum was really good. My family listened to his music when I was growing up. So many memories and it even included remembrances of all the people he toured with and were part of his production team. Even June Carter’s family was honored.
Fried deviled eggs were on the menu at his bar next door. Delicious and the music from the musicians was amazing.
Of course we had to stop at Coyote Ugly. The bar famous for the movie.
The night pontoon boat ride was really fun. Lots of games and people to talk to.
The chew crew are sheep who mow down the edges of the river Bank
Other pictures from around Nashville.
Morning walk along the Cumberland The chew crewRyman auditoriumAt the top of the pedestrian bridge.The Bluff Station was a lookout when the river was used for trade.
One morning I went to the Tennessee State House. It is beautiful inside.
Senate chambersPres. Polk and his wife are buried here
It has been a year since I saw Becca and her husband Ryan. I had gone through some of my things that have been packed for years and had asked her which things she as they just bought a house. I came to Montana laden with bags.
That night after unpacking we hiked a hill that had the letter M on it for the University of Montana (it overlooks the University). We hiked to the bottom of the M to see the sunset.
The next day, we went to a trail that overlooked the bitter roots. These are plants that grow in a valley between those mountains. These are roots that were used by indigenous peoples and still used today in food and medicine. It is also the state flower of Montana.
A few friends thought we brought snacks for them.
Afterwards we stopped at a Bitterroot brewing to have huckleberry beer. Yummy as well as the food we ordered.
We also rented a bike to go bike riding. Unfortunately I am not over the fear of wrecking and being injured and prefer trails that do not have gravel. Instead we found a paved area that leads to a beach along the river. Beautiful and relaxing.
Skipping rocks. Ryan is great at it Becca filming in slow motion.
We also drove through the bison preserve that is a protected area and had amazing information about the indigenous people and the almost extinction of the bison.
We had not traveled very far into the refuge when this big boy was seen walking down the road. We let him have as much of the road as he wanted.
This actually is a grizzly bear cub at the top of a tree. Can you see him?ElkBeautiful wildflowers and a black butterfly.
The garden of 1000 buddhas
On the way back from the bison range, we stopped in Arlee. This spiritual site was beautiful. There are one thousand statues of Buddha arranged in a circle. There are spaces and carved sayings on rocks to inspire for meditation, reflection, and peace.
StupasPrayer flags releasing intentions into the wind
It was a really short visit and next year there will be more days in Montana. I miss my family and will be spending more time each year with her
