Natchez

Natchez was the end of the Trace and the end of the journey...

A visit to the grocery store was a delightful experience.The food has changed
now adding African,creole, and Cajun to the menu. I bought some ingredients for Jambalaya and for Corn Soup Gumbo.I am wishing I could take it all home with me.
We visited the Bluff overlooking the river, the main streets of the town; There are ante bellum homes here that are places for tourists to visit.
We think looking at the more common place homes is more interesting. Free slaves lived in Natchez during the Civil War under a set of rules. They owned homes
some of which are preserved.There was an interesting Garden, public buildings.
The people are friendly. We ate at the Pig Out Barbeque which is owned by
a transplanted northerner. He tells us that Natchez is really good at survival...
they easily move to Plan B. He thinks its part of their history.

Wednesday April 20th

We are on our way back up the Trace from Natchez where we spent two great days on the banks of the Mississippi in the sunshine.See photo above of the ole miss. Then we went to Rocky Springs campground on Monday night. Then on to Jeff Busby Tuesday night. Met more new friends, had great weather until monsoons came Tuesday night. Left Busby late after spendingtime with family on their way to Houston MS for Make and Break Engine Show. Let the Trace in Martinsen and drove less than a mile to truck stop. When we got out of the motorhome the tornado sirens were sounding.

A man came up to us urging us to go inside.He confirmed that it was tornado siren. I expressed concern that I was leaving my pet in the car. He looked at me intently and said " Ma'm , everything is going to be alright." So we went in. There were ten or so people in the restaurant most of them local. We picked out our food but it was difficult to relax with all the uncertainty. They began watching the
weather maps tracking the tornado. Oh its going right over my house..he interupts then calls his wife at home, then everyone goes oh, its moving....its coming right down 82. This was the road we were on. The tornado did move slightly off to the side... we had one heck of a storm with large hail, wind and rain. The food was great at the Trace Cafe Truckstop. Home cooked meatloaf and country fried steak, sides and desert for just $10 for both of us.
We arrived in Tupelo under another tornado watch. Another wild storm for three to fours hours wind, five inches of rain, hail, everything.
We are ready for a calm day!

Friday April 15th

Friday April 15th we were at Ratcliffe Ferry on the trace .The tornado sirens had started and we moved quickly to get on our way. As we traveled down the parkway the weather began to worsen. We were passing the spot where the Pearl River branches out into the Reservoir. In this area a possum crossed our path. Soon after that it began to hail about pea size, thunder and lightening. We were headed only five miles away for the Ranger Station on the Trace but we could not see anything! Finally when things calmed down we had a delightful visit with the ranger. She was without power and had lots of informal information on what was happening South of us....cars upside down on I 20 and building damage in Clinton and Jackson. More tornados due there we went to the Arts and Crafts Center a few miles off the trace in Ridgeland. Several storms passed over while we were there... and when we left there were still tornados in our path so we decided to have lunch about a half mile away. The motorhome would not start. This continued for about 30 to 40 minutes. Then it started and we went on to the restaurant. After eating the waitress shared with us that about a half hour before we came there were two funnel clouds headed toward the restaurant. After lunch, we went down passed Jackson and Clinton. By the time we arrived at Rocky Springs campground on the trace it was a different day! We were grateful for the blessing of safety today.

Mississippi

Here traveling down the Trace again we stop at the Cypress-Tupelo Swamp.

We learn the process by which the trees standing in the water purify it and provide health to the waterway.

Walking along in this silent garden is a vision of water, trees, and reflections.

Breathtaking!

French Camp

Today it is well up in the 80's, very sunny and we are on the road again

to the South. We stopped just a short distance at French Camp. There is a huge crowd here! They are serving lunch but there is a wait so we take a look at the grounds. There is the carriage of a Choctaw chief, collections of various setttlements, the current Baptist French Camp Academy and Church, a bed and breakfast, bakery and more. If you travel the Trace check it out.

After lunch here....BLT, Roast Beef, Cabbage Soup, and Bread Pudding

we met the only Model A Fire Truck. The owner and his wife were returning from the trip to Natchez. They told us that their home in Arkansas had been seriously damaged in a tornado the day before.

It was noted that these storms were on the way to Mississippi!