#Summer2023 - Day 2: Natchez, MS, and Reunion Lake RV Resort

Today is out 17th Wedding anniversary.  It seems to have become a tradition recently to be on vacation on this day.  

Two years ago it was Southern Grace Lavender Farm enroute to Florida.

Last year it was Corpus Christi riding horses on Padre Island.

This year we are traveling again.

River View has a lot going for it.  The park is well kept and affordable.  They also offered discounts for Good Sam and first responders.  Wifi was good as well. They were also very accommodating when we asked to stay a bit beyond checkout.

This morning we went to the National Park Visitor Center for the Natchez Historic Park and walked to Fort Rosalie, which the French built in 1718.  Not much there now but still cool to think about.

We also stopped at a little gift shop and bought Moon Pies!  Sadie had not had one.

We were en route to Hammond, LA by noon, but the stop lights in Natchez gave us grief.  Times very poorly.  Much of our drive was through national forest on lightly traveled roads.  It was nice 

Our travels, however, has taught us something.  Mississippi and Louisiana do not believe in picnic areas down here.  Even the LA welcome center was closed on I55.

We arrived at Sun Outdoors around 3, got set up, and went to the lazy river.  A lot of people in the park today.  After that, Steph and I cleaned up to go to Don's Seafood for our anniversary.  We both ate too much but could not resist dessert - white chocolate bread pudding with rum sauce!  

We could not eat it all so Sadie got our leftovers, which she snarfed down quickly.  I guess she liked it!

Then a bike ride in the dark and off too bed.  Tomorrow will be a slower day!

#Summer2023 - Day 1: Departure and Natchez, MS

Day 1.

It is dry and hot with horrible humidity here, so ocean breezes will be nice.

Up at 6 am and we got the last of the camper packed, as well as a bit of last minute farm work.  While outside, we witnessed an awesome sunrise!

 

We had planned on leaving at 7 am departure but it was closer to 7:30 before it was wheels-rolling. Our first stop was gas at Mt. Enterprise, TX, for gas.

We made good time and arrived at Mansfield, LA, before noon.  We toured the museum briefly ($4 ea) and had lunch in the camper.  The fridge door had cracked open so things were not as cold as we would like, but we rearranged things and moved on.  

Then I49 south to Alexandria and then back on US84, which we had followed all the way from Palestine.  It took us to Vidalia, LA, on the Mississippi River. Just over 7 hours, 360 miles, at an average of 9 mpg at its best (just outside the park).  Unhooking caused it to drop back down.

We stayed at River View Campground which is only a few yards from the river.  It is a clean campground with pool and hot tub, full hookups, and excellent power.  Our pull thru site was part shaded (#41).  It is affordable too, at only around $50 a night.

The personnel at the office were friendly and helpful, and we bought a magnet for the fridge.  Then back to have brisket and salad we brought from home.  Then, we drove into Natchez to scope it out.

We drove along the cliffs and got a definite Vicksburg vibe, but many of the houses are old and nicely kept.  Of course, some areas of the city, not so much.  But we followed the signs to the City Cemetery and started to drive the tour.  So many Confederate veterans.  Many stones were marked "unknown."

Then we stopped at a parking lot overlooking the river and walked a bit, and followed that with a drive down Silver Street with restaurants and shops right on the water.  Then back to camp after getting the tank full of gas.  I want to see if mid-grade improves fuel economy, so we shall see 

The levy runs right by this camp, so we all walked a bit of it with Sadie and I going a bit further.  Stephanie found it a bit hard to breath in the humidity and heat.  

It was a good day!  Tomorrow is a short drive with hopefully some pool time.  

Summer#2023 begins! Preparations for Eastbound!

This has been a hot Texas summer and July has only started.  High humidity and rising temps make me very glad to be heading for ocean breezes!

We depart tomorrow.  The truck is loaded as is the RV.  Oil changed and washed.  Bikes stowed!  It is going to be great!

This is one of our longest trips so far with 21 nights planned, with the longest stay over in Marathon, FL. 

But first, one last Texas sunset for 3 weeks!

Texas Sunset!

The temps have moved into HOT territory, and the rains and storms from early June have stopped.  July and August are among our hottest months.

It is time to hit the road, and this week we will be preparing for that.

But last night we took a walk when the sun was setting, and got this awesome sunset... enjoy!

Spring Break 2023 - Last Full Day

Michael and Valerie left for home this morning so he could make RiverCon on Saturday.  We hated to see them go.

After a quick breakfast we set out for Cherokee, NC, to see some waterfalls on the Deep Creek Trail hike.  They are among the prettiest in the park.

To get there we crossed Newfound Gap, and then stopped at the Onacoluffte Visitor Center.

The first was Tom Branch Falls.

Then Indian Creek Falls.

Then Juney Wank.  These are all on the same Three Falls Loop.  

After that, on our way home we detoured to Mingo Falls.  This one is not in the NP, but rather is on the Cherokee reservation.  It is the most impressive of the falls I have seen here.

It was a short hike up some steep stairs but worth it!

Then back for a supper of leftovers and to start packing for the trip home.  The weather was cooler but we had a great time.  

Smokies!  Cannot wait to come back!

Spring Break 2023, Day 5 - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The thing we had not yet done was visit the national park and hike a bit.  So we did that today.

After breakfast, we lit out through Gatlinburg past the Sugarland Visitor Center, and on to the Metcalf Bottoms.  From the Metcalf picnic area, we hiked 0.6 miles to the Greenbriar Schoolhouse and then another 1.1 miles to the Walker Sisters' Cabin.  They were working on the cabin with a new roof and foundation repair.  We couldn't go inside, but it was good to see them repairing it.  Apparently, the Friends of the Smokies have raised money to repair the 100+ historic structures in the park.

The first time we visited this trail and cabin was on our honeymoon.  This is a special hike for us, and it was good to be able to do it again.  Overall, it was a 4.3-mile roundtrip. 

Then back for a dip in the hot tub, then supper, and Brandon and I went to Gatlinburg.  I bought whiskey at the Bottle Shop and came back up by 10 pm.

Michael and Valerie head out tomorrow.  We hate to see them go!

We plan to hit a few more trails tomorrow before we have to start getting ready for the return trip as well. 

Spring Break, Day 4 - Apple Barn and Peace.

It was cold this morning at 29, and that was well after the sun rose.  It was around 27 degrees for the overnight low.

Rather than go to Gatlinburg we went back to Pigeon Forge visit the Christmas Place and have apple dumplings at the Apple Barn.

Then, back to the cabin.  Steph took a nap and I started making the chili planned for supper.  While it cooked we walked a trail above our place.

It was a peaceful day.  Tomorrow our plan is to hike some trails in the park.  Not sure which one just yet.