The last 2 weeks we have been staying at our friends in Quitman,Tx.We were here back in April.We’ve been visiting and having some fun.One day the church had a hayride and it was lots of fun.
Our friend Neva
And Gerry with John
After the hayride it was food for everyone.What a great time.Neva and I had time to do some shopping at a favorite store Dressin’ Gaudy.It was nice to see them again and hate to say goodbye.
Today we decided to drive the car down to Natchez instead of taking the RV.Tomorrow we will be heading to northeast Texas and didn’t want to backtrack.Natchez is situated on the Mighty Mississippi.Natchez was known for its cotton and the 1st steamboat to come down the Ole Miss was in 1812.It left with its first bale of cotton.Today people come from all over to see the beautiful mansions built by the cotton kings.They have a fall pilgrimage in Oct. and you can take bus tours of the homes.We got tickets to see 3 of the homes and really enjoyed the history of each one.The 1st one we visited was Stanton Hall.
Stanton Hall is one of the most magnificent antebellum homes in America of the Greek Revival era.It was built by Fredrick Stanton a cotton baron who came from Ireland.Everything in this home is in beautiful condition.No pictures were allowed inside so you’ll have to do your own tour.Next on the tour is Longwood.
Longwood
Longwood is the largest octagonal house America.The mansion was built in 1860 for wealthy cotton planter Haller Nutt and his wife Julia.The rotunda is open to the entire 6 stories crowning the Byzantine Moorish dome with a 24ft finial.The house has never been finished due to the civil war.The basement level was the only part of the house finished and where the family lived.Haller died in1864and left his wife and 8 children in dire needs.The house was never finished.Every thing was left as is when men went off to fight the war.
The 3rd house was Rosalie but we got there to late to take the tour.There was also the Annual Balloon fest going on right next to this home.We really enjoyed what we saw of Natchez and hope to return someday.
Today we went to Vicksburg Military Park. Vicksburg was important during the civil because whoever controlled the Mississippi River would command the waterways and allow uninterrupted passage on the river. The battlefield is worth a visit. The museum has a diorama of the siege of Vicksburg and tells the story of the battle.The battlefield has over 1330 monuments and markers and is a 16 mile drive.At the visitors center you can buy a cd that takes you through the battlefield.Here are some of the photos I took.
Union army and Confederate army states
Louisiana memorial
Artillery
Shirley House the Union troops called this the white house
Illinois Memorial
African Soldiers Memorial
Statue of Grant
Vicksburg Nat’l Cemetery
That’s it for Vicksburg,tomorrow Natchez
We spent the last 3 days in Vicksburg staying at the Elks lodge.Vicksburg is steeped in history and famous for it’s Military Park. Mighty Mississippi
Downtown they have murals depicting the history of Vicksburg.The downtown area is nice and has a lot of historical buildings.
Today was a busy day on the trace.Our 1st stop was Colberts Stand. Here is where Colbert had a Inn and a ferry service across the river.He once charged Andrew Jackson 75,000 dollars to ferry his troops across the river.That’s a lot in those days.
As we traveled down the trace we came across some confederates gravesites that were unknown soldiers.
We came to the Pharr Mounds and this is where the Indians buried their dead.These mounds are very old.
The next was a must see for me as I was a big fan of Elvis.We stopped in Tupelo at Elvis’s birthplace.His home was a 2 room house that had a bedroom and a kitchen.
Elvis with his guitar at age 13
We had a great time today and spent the night on the trace at Jeff Busby Campground.
Today as we headed down the trace we stopped and got off in Alabama to see the The Alabama Music hall of fame.This a very nice museum and tells the story of the beginnings of the Music Shoals Sound.Here you’ll see all the Alabamians who have influenced the course of music.Nat King Cole,Hank Williams,Tammy Wynette,Alabama,and Lionel Ritchie to name a few.Sam Phillips of Sun records started out here in this area of Alabama. Well worth a visit.We also stopped by to see one of Frank Lloyd Wrights houses.Not to impressive as the others.
Alabama Music Hall of Fame
When we finished in the Florence area we got back on the trace and spent the night at Tishimonga State Park.This has a small lake and with our gpa we paid $13. for water and electric.
See what tomorrow brings.
