Natchez, Mississippi

"Natchez, was first settled by the French in 1716, two years before New Orleans, Louisiana, and is the oldest settlement on the Mississippi River. The city once boasted over 500 millionaires, more than any other city in the United States, except for New York."

Similiar to the other cities we have been visiting, it has a historic downtown and lots of history to see and read about. This is one of the best things about our trip this year. Derek and I love strolling through the historic areas reading the placards along the way learning about the history. Natchez is one of the best for placing boards to read around the neighbourhoods describing the history of the area and buildings.

Yesterday we headed out from the Natchez Welcome Center where we are parked to the downtown. We first went down to the river to 'Natchez Under the Hill'. This area was called "Natchez Landing at the turn of the 19th century, when it began to acquire an infamous reputation as "the most notorious spot on the Mississippi River."Here could be found the gaming halls and dens of vice where lawless villainy gathered, as well as bustling wharves, cluttered warehouses, shops and boisterous saloons." We walked along the remaining buildings and then back up - way up - to the downtown.

Natchez Under the Hill

While Vidalia has their riverpark right at water level, Natchez has theirs up above. Two different prepectives of the Mississippi River. We strolled along the walkway along the river and then headed into the downtown. We loosely followed the brochure walking trail. 

Looking north up the mighty Mississippi.

Natchez has many beautiful homes remaining all nicely renovated. We really enjoyed walking through the neighborhoods admiring the houses of all different styles. 

Stanton Hall, built in the 1850s and now owned and preserved by the Pilgrimage Garden Club, is considered by many to be the grandest of the Natchez mansions.

After so much walking we were happy to stop here for a coffee break. Nice place - be sure to stop in when you are here - the Owner was nice enough to bring out a cookie for Cassia.

St. Mary Basilica - the first Catholic Church in Mississippi.

Texada, built by Manuel Texada and believed to be the first brick house constructed in Natchez.

Greenlea - The Governor Holmes House - which was built in 1794 and was home to David Holmes, who served as Mississippi Territory's last governor and the state's first governor.

So that was our day in Natchez. We took many more pictures - too many to post. If you are ever this way we highly recommend a look around. 

We spent a second night at the Welcome Center parking lot surrounded by Christmas Lights. Today we are heading across Mississippi along the 84. 

Today's Interesting Link: Please visit the Natchez website to learn all about this great city!

Vidalia, Louisiana

After our leisurely morning at the campground Thursday we continued east on the 84 to Winnfield. It was time for gas and filled up at a price of $3.249/gallon.

Here I must stop and point out at the irony of missing a direction sign because of looking at a map. Oh yes it would be easy to blame the driver but alas as the navigator I really messed up. At Winnfied we were to continue on the 84 so imagine my surprise when after going a fair distance outside Winnfied for my eyes to see SOUTH  167. 167! We were headed to the city of Alexandria!

Well I proceeded to make a bad situation worse since we had gone further then I had thought! I could not remedy our situation until we got to Bentley where we turned onto route 8 and back north to the 84. It could have been worse, I think we only drove about 20 miles more then we should have. But again, as you can imagine, very quiet in the truck.

We finally made it Vidalia and the Mississippi River. I had researched ahead and knew that the Louisiana Visitor's Center was by the river and so we followed the signs and drove down. So thankful we did. Although we were leaving Louisiana we will be back along the Gulf Coast and so went in search of some information. The ladies at the Center were very generous with their time and I learned some good information about routes at the coast. The one lady also offered to take our picture in front of the river.

The 3 of us at the Mississippi River!

Looking across at the Under the Hill area of Natchez.

The bridges over the Mississippi.

Cassia running to and.......

touching the Mississippi!

We strolled along the river for a bit and then headed to the Sand Bar the restaurant suggested to us by the  Visitor's Center ladies. We had missed lunch and Derek wanted to finally try some southern food. We shared the Catfish Platter complete with 5 pieces of seasoned deep fried catfish, fries, hush puppies and coleslaw. Yummy!

Now that is was dark we headed back down to the river park to drive by the Christmas lights on display. The town of Vidalia and businesses have provided the display which was complete with lights, music and display boxes. We drove slowly with your windows down listening to Christmas Carols and looking at the displays. With all these lights and music we are sure in the Christmas mood - hard to believe it is still 22 days away.

The best picture we could manage - the entry to the Christmas display with the beautiful sunset behind.

Christmas Eve on the Bayou.

Cassia enjoyed the train going through on this display.

After the lights we drove over the Mississippi River - sorry no pictures driving over the bridge as it was dark - and into Mississippi. Just over the bridge is the Mississippi Welcome Center - were we spent the night.

Today's Interesting Link: Since we just crossed into Mississippi you may as well have the link to their tourism website.  Take a look around!