The south end of the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Hua Hin, Thailand.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Maldives on March 23rd.

Friday, December 15, 2017

10 days on the Natchez Trace Parkway

We made a 20 mile (32 km) detour off the Trace yesterday to take in a ruins site that Ruth had read about.

Another really interesting story, where this wealthy landowner had built himself a huge mansion back in 1861. After completing the mansion, he died at age 34 only weeks later! The mansion survived the turmoil of the Civil War, only to be destroyed by fire when it accidentally burnt to the ground in 1890.

Only one problem!

Road closed!

It turns out that the road had washed away a couple of months ago. They're almost done repairing it, but it looked like they might be another week or so. Fortunately, there's a wildlife management area parking just before this, and it's only a 1.3 mile (2.1 km) walk each way to get to the ruins site.

Walking down the deserted road.

 Interesting scenery along the way.

Ruins site.

All that remains are the columns and a couple of balcony railings.

Sorry for the bad focus, but at least you get an idea of what the house originally looked like.

Pretty ornate, on top of each column.

Windsor ruins.

Interesting stuff. I'm glad we did the detour.

Yesterday we finished the last section of the Natchez Trace Parkway, all 444 miles (710 kms). Really enjoyed it, and glad that we took our time and saw as much stuff along the way as we could. It's been ten days since we entered the parkway just south of Nashville, Tennessee.

On the last section.

And one last rest stop.

The Mount Locust Inn remains as the only one of more than 50 such inns that existed between 1785 and 1830 along the old Trace. It has been restored to its 1810 appearance, the time when travel on the old road peaked.

We pulled in to the historic town of Natchez, Mississippi at around 3:00pm. We headed to the main post office where we had an Amazon package waiting for us. We'll tell you more about the package another day.

When we are traveling, we order anything we like from Amazon and pick it up at a post office along the way. But, you have to follow some basic guidelines for this to work properly...


Then, it was over to the Natchez Visitors Center, where they allow RVs to park overnight in their lot.

We stayed here in April of 2009, so we knew that the parking lot is not very level. But, I was prepared for that and soon had us perfectly level! There's only one other rig here, and I noticed him plugged in to one of the many electrical outlets, so we asked about that and were told "sure, if you can find one that's working, that's fine". 

So I tested the one nearest us, and sure enough it was fine. And, we have a useable (although slow) wifi signal. Normally, you can only stay one night but we asked if it was okay to stay two because it's not busy and they confirmed that was okay.

Then, we got out the Christmas decorations!

Just kidding. They've got the whole visitors center nicely decorated for the season.

So today, we're going to explore Natchez, and go to Fat Mama's Tamales and treat ourselves to lunch and one of their famous "Knock you Naked" margaritas! Then this evening to the casino across the road for some $10 free play gambling (thanks for the info Tommy!) and free live music.

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Still the best deal for zero gravity chairs! A two pack, and it includes the cup holders!


And in Canada....




18 comments:

  1. Great that you got free electricity. I always carry a night light on the dash of the motor home for this purpose. If I am stopped at a rest area, city park, boat launching Area or anywhere I see an electrial outlet I pop out with the night light in hand and see if the plug is live.

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    1. We like to use an electrical meter to check the electricity first before plugging in because it lets us know if the voltage is good. We have been to places where it is too high or too low and if we plug in we could damage equipment in our unit, whereas a nightlight will only tell you if it is working or not.

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  2. Very interesting travels on the Trace. Glad you are enjoying your travels.

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    1. There are many interesting things to see along the Trace that is for sure! :-)

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  3. Knock you naked Margarita...now that sounds like a great drink!

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  4. Windsor ruins was the site used in the film "Raintree County" starring Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift. I got lost trying to find it because of poor signage a few years ago, but glad to see that you could and post it here. I did not know that you could boon-dock at the Natchez Visitor Center. I would have spent more time there had I known that. I am enjoying the ride along...

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    1. Never knew that, now we are going to have to look around and find a copy of this movie.

      There are two ways to get to Windsor ruins, you can take the road from Port Gibson but it is longer and more twisty windy or you can take the 552 that goes to Alcorn University and just before the university you turn right and keep following the road and you will drive right past it, just in case you are in the area again some day.

      During the busy season I think you can only stay one night but right now it is very quiet so they don't mind you staying longer but ask first. They also have a dump station in the parking lot.

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  5. Hmmm - wonder if "Knock you Naked" margaritas would go over at the Wilderness Lodge?"

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    1. I am sure they would be a big hit there. Whether or not you want to see the results of them is another story though!;-)

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  6. Can you please bring me one of those margaritas whne you come in March :)

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    1. It would never make it thee Contessa! It would be gone by the time we returned to the motorhome! ;-)

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  7. What wonderful adventures you're having. Certainly was an interesting detour you took!

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    1. Good to hear from you again Paul.

      Yes, we are having a wonderful adventure. We love exploring all these off the beaten path type of places. :-)

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  8. My wife and I just did all 444 miles also on our way to Texas. We are traveling the south for the next 4 months.After the holidays with our daughter in McAllen, we are heading west though NM, AZ then Palm Springs, CA. Life is an adventure!

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    1. Glad to hear that you have also done the Natchez Trace. We find a number of people that have never heard of it before.

      Who knows maybe our paths will cross in McAllen, we are headed that way at the beginning of January.

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  9. Nice to know that about the Natchez VC. Been a long time since we've been to Natchez. Might be time to plan a return. Thanks for the info.

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    1. It was a long time since we were in this area as well. We certainly enjoyed it even more our second time around. Hope you make it back to this neck of the woods, it deserves a return visit.

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