Saturday March 8 Livingston, TX , through Jasper , TZ to Natchez, MS

61872   Overcast            57*        Gas $3.65     17.1 mpg

We traveled US 190 and SR 63 to Natchez, TX.  The roadside was woodsy with many pine trees. Brick homes; people still shoulder driving at 70-75 mph; white blossoms and a tree with purple blossoms; tulip trees in blossom too; red dirt; FEMA trailers evident from hurricane Rita; more picnic areas without a bathroom;  daffodils in bloom.  We began to notice that every town, no matter the population size, has at least one "Dollar Store".  Some times, there were three chains all in the same vicinity.  "Family Dollar", "Dollar General" and "Dollar Tree".  REALLY! All three were sometimes within a few blocks. Later, on in Mississippi, we saw "Fred's Dollar", too.

As we drove through Jasper, we read the events surrounding the death of James Byrd, Jr, who in 1998, was murdered by 3 men, 2 who were white supremacists. They dragged him behind their truck for 3 miles. The details were horrible but the outcome was the Matthew Shepard Act, a law regarding hate crimes.

When we crossed into Louisiana, the speed limit immediately dropped from 75 to 55 mph and no more shoulder driving. Pine groves and Baptist churches.  One sign read: "Prayer-Best Wireless Connection" .  Another one said: "Part time Christians are Better Than Full Time Devils".  In Leesville, all the trees had yellow ribbons for someone.  In Pineville, there was a drive through donut store....way too tempting, that was!  "Waterproof" and "Frogmore" were little country towns.  What are "cracklins"??

We crossed the Mississippi River into Nachez, MS, terminus of the Natchez Trace and headed for the Information Center where we watched a short historic film.  Natchez was one of our destinations to learn more about Civil War history.  We had heard from others that driving the Trace was an experience not to miss. The information center gave us local highlights including the Spring Pilgrimage, a local event showcasing the antebellum homes.  At one time, Natchez had the most millionaires in the US, all as a result of growing cotton on plantations outside the city. We toured the William Johnson house downtown. William was born a slave, became a free man and then own slaves.  He had several businesses including 3 barber shops.  We took a carriage ride home tour and had dinner "under the hill" where pre-Civil War, the riff raft folks hung out. The sun was setting over the Mississippi and we chose a hotel that promised a river view.  However, they wouldn't honor our AAA discount, in fact, the rate was $10 over AAA, no hot tub, the chair was broken and our room had a view of a cement wall. The continental breakfast was lame, too.  Missing the 5th wheel!

Into Louisiana

Waiting for someone to come back home in Leesville, LA

Traffic continues to be light

Coffee break at the Outpost in Holloway, LA . Wolf in the
fireplace?

Crossing the Mississippi River into Natchez, LA

Antebellum dress.  The boat neckline
allowed for a variety of embellishments
to change the look.

William Johnson's kitchen building

"Hal, the horse" who would smile for sweet treats or a carrot.  Here, he
is smiling for the little boy on the sidewalk.

The City of Natchez adopted a kitty with only 3 legs. It was named
"Tripod".  Before the kitty died, an $80 collection was taken up for his
stone at city hall.  Turns our, the kitty had more money than the City.

One of many antebellum homes.  Other homes had two stairways to the
porch.  Men weren't supposed to see women's ankles so they didn't
use the same staircases.

Natchez water and a living oak tree in winter

Stanton Hall, owned by Fred Stanton, a cotton magnate.  No expense was
spared to construct this home. 5 levels, 3 parlors, six bedrooms and one of
our favorite movies was filmed here.  John Jakes' "North and South" with
Patrick Swayze and many others.

French/Spanish architecture influences

This home has a curved wall on the porch and the middle window is
also curved.

Above, is the pathway to "Under the Hill" where the boatmen and
riff rafts hung out after delivering their cargo to Natchez.  Below, a
path along the bluff.

River Boats were prevalent on the river in the 1800s.  There's Sonny
standing along side.

Looking back down the street towards "Under the Hill". We had dinner in one of the restaurants.  Sonny had a tasty catfish Cesar salad and I had spicy chicken/shrimp gumbo.

Our hotel boosted a view of the Mississippi.  However, there was one
room that had a view of a cement wall.  We had to pay premium
price in addition to this view.