Wednesday, October 19, 2011

October 18, 2011

Natchez

Finished driving the rest of the southern Natchez Trace Parkway.  Wish there were more roads like this.

Pete walking the old  Natchez Trace

Walking the Trace

 

Rocky Springs Methodist Church, built 1837

Only remaining structure of a town that was on the Trace.  Church was in use until a few years ago.

First inn (called a ‘stand’ in those times) on the Trace.  Photo taken from location of actual Trace.

Sunken Trace

This is the effect of thousands of people walking the same path for years.  Section of actual Natchez Trace.

Settled in a RV park across the river in Louisiana.  Right on the river.  We watched barges being pushed up and down the river. 

IMG_0038009

 

Like several spots we have been this trip, this park is recovering from this springs’ floods of the river.  We have also spoken to several people along the way who suffered flooding on other rivers and streams.  Yesterday we talked to a man from Texas.  Exact opposite situation.  He mentioned one lake that is 50’ below normal.  MANY lakes are gone.  Something for us to see in a week or so.

Natchez is known for being OLD.  Dates way back.  Many antebellum homes and estates.  We drove by many of them and toured one.

IMG_0040010

Longwood

This mansion is kind of interesting.  Only the first floor (local terminology - ‘basement’) is finished.  About the time the structure including the entire exterior, and the finishing of the lower floor floor was completed the Civil War broke out.  The builders were from the North and didn’t think it feasible to remain in the South.  They went home to wait for the war to end.  An event that was supposed to happen in six months or less.  The owner consolidated his holdings and cotton inventory and placed all his funds in the bank for safekeeping ‘till the war was over.  One problem: it was a Confederate bank.  And the war lasted a bit longer and the estate was visited by both Confederate and Union soldiers who destroyed all his inventory of cotton.  The family lived in the lower floor for several generations.  That one floor was still pretty nice and extensive.  Had the mansion been completed it would have had over 30,000 square feet of living space.

 

Another picture of moss hanging from southern trees to add to your collection.  You do have a collection don’t you?

Last night we had our first crack at local food.  Figured that we were missing one important facet of learning about local culture.  Natchez area is known for catfish.  Asked several sources to recommend a good spot.  All of them mentioned the same place.  Nice, quiet (it was early Tuesday evening), and very nice staff.  (I still need to look up the derivation of “y’all”)  One person told us to go hungry.  She wasn’t kidding.  Large portions and very tasty.

 



No comments:

Post a Comment