SW16: The Trace, Some Friends and Home

Bird's Eye View

This beautiful Red-headed Woodpecker welcomed us to the Meriwether Lewis Campground on The Natchez Trace:

Day 40: March 16

It was time to head a bit further north. Past Fuquay Street (eeks) in Baton Rouge! We made a quick Civil War stop at Port Hudson. There was a trail through the scene of a 40+ day siege and battle here in 1863. It was hot and humid and we were in shorts and t-shirts. It is hard to imagine being engaged in battle here from May to July, dressed in wool:

We continued further north to the Oakley Plantation where John James Audubon spent three months teaching and painting 32 pictures of birds. Once again, we noted that a “plantation” does not necessarily mean “Tara”:

But there were some interesting items, including a Poker Table staged with “pieces of eight”:

...oh, and some domestic birds:

By the way, a note on ageing: I love being carded when trying to buy wine in the US. I love saying I'm 62 (I'm now 61) to get free entry into a site. But the guy at Oakley charged me for two Seniors without asking. And I was miffed. That's me in a nutshell!

We drove to Natchez, got some supplies, did NOT get BBQ (bad directions on my part) and stayed at the Natchez Traces State Park ($13.90-SENIOR-E/W).

Here's the view of David in his chair. Later, that view of the hollow was filled with sparkling Fireflies!

Day 41: March 17

We had a quiet drive to the Jeff Busby Campground (free, no services) on The Trace with a few stops:

I took a short hike to one of the highest spots in Mississippi before it started to storm. So, no Fireflies tonight:

Day 42: March 18

I am sad today. I read that my young friend, Courtney Druce, the inspiration for all my Pink in the Rink photos, is in hospice care. She's only 27. And she's amazing.

Our lunch stop brought two things: another Life Bird (that's 18 this trip), a Carolina Wren:

...and the realization that the switch that opens and closes our propane (for the generator, etc.) was not working. So, we got to the Meriwether Lewis campground (free, no services) and David spent time MacGyvering a solution (he was successful). So we had a beer and enjoyed the view of the Red-headed Woodpeckers all through our backyard hollow:

Day 43: March 19

Okay, it was starting to get cold. Our intention was to drive to Northwestern Kentucky for a stop on the BBQ Trail and the John James Audubon State Park (a theme). We drove to Henderson, KY, could NOT find two BBQ places (David says we must chance upon them, not look for them), found that the Audubon Park wasn't open for the season yet, so just continued north.

But not before we saw this sign:

Take a closer look. Not just the Trump “endorsement” (which we thought the Armed Forces were not allowed to make), but the name of the street, the number of seconds on the “Don't Walk” signal and the “Heaven's Gates and Hell's Fires” signs behind (it's an Easter movie being advertised at all the churches in Henderson). Interesting tableau, right?

We got to the Lynnville, Indiana County Park ($18 E/W) just as rain and hail started. Here's the view from my chair:

This was Mandy's 23^rd state-one more, so far, than Cassie. She was impressed:

Day 44: March 20

This morning was only the second time in our entire trip when weather (cold and pouring rain) “dampened” our spirits. Especially since we had to RE-winterize today. But we completed the task and headed north east.

Within 15 minutes, the skies cleared and we had a sunny drive to Perrysburg, Ohio, The most interesting thing today? Ohio Police drive Chargers AND Mustangs. Wow.

We got to Linda and Denny's house for wine, pizza and a great catch up with our friends. That was the icing on the cake! Here's a view from my chair:

Day 45: March 21

We slept in, then were treated to breakfast (yummy Cinnamon Bread!) and headed HOME.

The drive was okay. In Detroit, we had our first ever encounter with US Customs and Border Protection. We were questioned by one guy in black and asked to pull over. Next, three guys dressed in black asked us to exit the vehicle. They boarded and checked things (I think they were more worried about Mandy than anything else) and we had to stand outside and keep our hands out of our pockets. Really, they were all funny and nice, but the wardrobe is intimidating.

There was no snow on the ground during the drive though there were intermittent snow squall. We got home around 5:00.

This was another wonderful trip. The jury is out on Arizona. We're interested in exploring New Mexico further, and we still love Texas and Louisiana. Can't wait until the next trip.