LouTex Days 33-35

March 27, 2014

We had a great, quiet and warm night in Fall Hollow and enjoyed the final miles on the Natchez Trace (including a stroll on part of the Old Trace):

The Double-Arch Bridge is spectacular and has an interesting sign:

And we saw the War of 1812 monument. Who won The War of 1812 is a standing joke between us and friends Linda and Denny (and a few other Americans), and David remembered this memorial on the Trace:

We were passed by only eight cars and four bicycles (one a tandem) in 62 miles; that’s one of the reasons we like taking The Trace.

We passed by Nashville (with me singing “Nashville Cats” more than once) and drove.

We made a quick stop at a big Camping World and Gander Mountain store (no purchases, but did note that both Paula Deen and Duck Dynasty products abound; all is forgiven here in Tennessee).

In Sparta, Kentucky, we saw a field full of roosters, each tethered beside a rain barrel. After some research (yes, I even Googled “cock fighting” Sparta Kentucky), I discovered one mention of a bust of a cock fight in February nearby AND a review of Roosters Restaurant. That’s it.

We stayed at a Rest Area in Florence, Kentucky. And here’s us among our fellow “campers”:

March 28, 2014

We were up and out and headed to Cincinnati for an Outlet Mall (yep, we sent like crazy: a belt and undies).  In Dayton, we stopped at Lewis’ RV (recommended by a couple we met in Texas) and spent a couple of hours looking at new motorhomes (we’re looking for some additional comfort, so may be in the market). And I got a chance to wear my #PinkintheRink on Power Pink Friday:

We took advantage of the sunny day and kept driving. There was ice on some ponds then a small amount of snow in Cygnet, Ohio. Our border stop was about 30 seconds long and we were back in Canada. More snow on the ground (we were worried about this).

We pulled in to the Flying J in Tilbury and spent a relatively quiet night. Here’s the view from our spot:

March 29. 2014

It was an easy, Saturday morning drive from Tilbury home (with a 10 second snow squall at Bayview Avenue in Toronto). Snow on the lawns and fields increased as we headed up the 115, and we got home safe and sound around 1:30. That was a great way to end the trip: a sunny, easy, traffic-free and relatively short drive home. We’ll do THAT again.

Our trip was great. The weather wasn’t perfect, but we did get some sun and warmth. We loved riding our bikes, watching the birds, looking at the countryside, and meeting all the people. It was also great to be with our new travelling companion, Mandy. She did really well for a first-timer, and we look forward to many more trips together. Here’s the final Cat’s Eye View (I couldn’t see her, so took an over-my-head pic of where I thought she might be snuggling):

And, as with the end of all trips, we’re starting to plan the next one!

LouTex Day 32

March 26, 2014

Yep, it was a cold night. There was even frost on many rooftops as we headed out of town towards the Shiloh Battlefield. But it was a sunny and bright morning.

There were more Daffodils, Forsythia and Pear Trees in bloom, and it was nice to see the colour despite the chill. Along the country road, someone had even put up blue-painted bird boxes everywhere!

We spent three hours at Shiloh, starting with the National Cemetery (Union, of course; the Confederates are mostly in mass graves on the battlefield):

Though we are very interested in Civil War sites while on our travels, I still have so much difficulty keeping everything straight. And occasionally, the bias of the state (North or South) affects how things are presented. But mostly, there is great pride.

We got “lost” on our first attempt at the driving tour (only could happen to us) but lucked in to the Eagle Nesting Area, and spent an hour or more looking at and taking pictures of one adult American Bald Eagle and one Eaglet (maybe two weeks old) in the HUGE nest:

We left and drove the tour properly and again, I was affected by the loss of life that would have occurred so horribly here:

We headed back to the Trace and passed through Savannah, TN and saw about 20 inmates doing yard work in a municipal garden. They were being overseen by the Warden, who was just standing there, eating peanuts. Interesting.

We got to the Meriwether Lewis free campground on the Trace and saw signs and fire trucks for a “Planned Burn”. As we climbed to the camping area (with nobody stopping us), we were deluged with the sight and smell of smoke and the sight of smouldering and burning trees. No staying here:

The Camp Host suggested the Fall Hollow Campground just up the road, and we are here for one night ($22). It’s in a beautiful setting with very nice owners. We hiked a little, I continued my hike with the campground doggie, Roscoe, and we’re snug with electricity for the computer and heater (but no TV):

Today’s Cat’s Eye View is Mandy helping me blog:

And here’s the view of our hollow from my chair:

Tomorrow begins the long, two or three-day drive home.

LouTex Day 31

March 25, 2014

It’s much colder than we’d like (around freezing last night and in the 50s today).

Here’s a view of the New Natchez Trace:

and what they call “The Old Trace” (parts are still evident):

We decided to do some Civil War touring for a couple of days, so left the Trace and headed towards Corinth, MS.

• Favourite town name on the way? Euclatubba
• “Wheel Estate Housing” business selling Mobile Homes
• Synagogue M.B. Church (that’s Missionary Baptist)
• Pear trees (I thought they were Dogwoods and was corrected) are in full bloom in most yards

First we went to the Final Stands Civil War Interpretive Center and got information on the nearby Brice’s Crossroads National Battlefield. This battle was won by the south, and though a small victory, is celebrated here. These cemeteries get me every time:

We took a walking tour of nearby Corinth, a beautiful town with an old-time downtown core and beautiful old houses and churches:

Even the back alleys were interesting:

The stop signs were killer (almost literally). They’re four-way and the signs are suspended overhead and a little faded; yikes:

Though pretty today, Corinth was also the scene of a bloody Civil War battle (it was important railway crossings) won by the North. Many of those beautiful old homes were used by Union Generals in 1862.

Corinth also houses the Civil War Interpretive Center which explains both the Battle for Corinth and the Battle at Shiloh. The long walk from the parking lot up to the building is line with bronzed replicas of artifacts that might have been found on the battlefield. This was very moving:

We decided to stay in the Alcorn Welcome Center for a relatively quiet (despite some transports) but very cold (below freezing) night. Here’s the sunset view from my chair:

LouTex Day 30

March 24, 2014

We were up early and had a fairly easy drive across Louisiana. Here are a few observations:

• Tallulah, LA’s welcome billboard: “Old Times Here Are Not Forgotten” with a picture of a plantation house. Really?  
• “Honey come home; the kids and I love you” from rejoiceministries.com. Huh?
• “Froghead Grill: Know it, Love it, Ribbit”

We crossed the Mississippi in to Vicksburg, MS:

…and indulged in one of my food memories, BBQ from Goldie’s (I prefer Texas BBQ to Mississippi).

We got on the Natchez Trace and enjoyed the sunny drive. Trees are not in full bloom yet, though there are Daffodils. There was hardly a car the whole time. We got to Jeff Busby, the free campground, chatted with a guy from St. Joseph’s Island in the Sault area, and enjoyed the quiet for a night.

Here’s the view from my chair:

LouTex Day 29

March 23, 2014

Time to leave Texas. The deer said goodbye in our campsite:

and a little later on the exit road (appropriate pose):

And we finally saw a turkey despite having lived on a Turkey Roosting Area for four days:

It was a pleasant drive through ranch land, and we saw our first Bluebonnets:

David did a lot of driving, and I did a lot of observing:

• “Armadillo Excavation Services” (cheap labour, I guess)
• at least three Cowboy Churches (it was Sunday and they were busy)
• “Jesse James Real Estate”
• “Reverend Jim’s Dam Pub”
• Wild Game Processing: “Sausages They’ll Die For”
• “Tan Yer Hides” Salon and Spa
• “Health Camp: Burgers and Shakes Since 1948” (my kind of health camp)
• “8/2/2027: Biblical Eclipse in Jerusalem”
• “Romney/Ryan” sign (past or future?)
• a Snowy Egret (after many days); it was wetter here for sure
• Daffodils in bloom near Jacksonville (it was also the Texas Tomato Capital in the 1930’s, so there are little tomato statues on the streets)

David has decided that the State Truck of Texas is a “dually diesel with a deer guard!

After a long day, we stayed in the Louisiana Welcome Centre for the night. Here’s the view from my chair:

LouTex Day 28

March 22. 2014

Know how the woman yesterday told us the worst campers were Boy Scouts and Church Groups? Well, what looks like a Church’s Scout Troop has moved in to the five campsites opposite us. Yikes! About 15 tween boys and six parents. It took 1 1/2 hours for them to do breakfast, and they were doing lunch three hours later when we returned!

In those three hours, we road and hiked 10.5 km, first looking for the elusive (for us any way) Golden-cheeked Warbler. We found the coolest little spring that was likely there since the land was homesteaded:

We visited three Bird Blinds and met more great Texans. And we added to our “Feathered Friends in Fountains” collection (by the way, we saw more than 40 different birds here!):

This one was a real treat, a Black-chinned Hummingbird taking a bath:

The view across from our campsite is a little crowded though quieter now that everyone went to the river:

We took advantage of the relative quiet (things really change here on the weekends) and read and snoozed and visited.

But the real view from my chair is my fragrant Agarita shrub and my hanging-in-there pedicure (the last of my bare toes you’ll likely see this trip as we start heading home tomorrow):

Oh, and a final sunset over South Llano River State Park: