Trucking to the End of the Mississippi River

Into our trucks, we took off on Highway 23 to drive to the end of the Mississippi River.    Venice, Louisiana is the last town on the river.  Then you would need a boat to travel about 23 more miles  before the river dumps into the Gulfof Mexico.

We did run into some friendly fishermen that caught their limit of tuna.

Jim caught some blue crab just walking along.

Look at the center of the gas pump.  This is our motto carried over from Alaska as we travel in the motor home.  Everything is an adventure, even the problems.

On our way back to New Orleans, we stopped at Fort Jackson.

This fort had a moat around it.

The green stuff on top of the water is algae and duck weed.  

There was even a draw bridge.

From Jim's advantage point, he is able to see the Mississippi River.

Notice this high school is built on stilts, just in case of flooding.

Plantation Days

The following day we took a plantation tour that lasted almost all day.  The driver gave a very thorough explanation about the history of the people who settled in the New Orleans' area.  The first platation was Oak Alley.

Those oak trees are about 300 years old.

Each bed has mosquito netting.

Brandy was out tour guide.

The second plantation was San Francisco.  Very colorful! This is the backyard view.

Front door

It was really painted this color originally and the ceilings.

Even the chamber pot is fancy.

Very unique plantation home, even the cistern, water collector, was painted bright blue.

That evening we went the French Quarter for dinner. 

 

Our Last Camp Stop on the Great River Road

Saturday, we arrived  to a rainy, humid, very warm New Orleans.  Our first stop in this very busy town was the World War II Museum.  The museum was also very busy since admission was free for that day.  Busy means hard to see exhibits and lines everywhere.  We did see an excellent movie where snow fell from the ceiling and our chairs rumbled as the tank on the screen went over a hill.  But I think we were just worn out!

  

Cajun Swamp

Off we went to Henderson, Louisiana.  Now we are deep into Cajun country and this means a swamp tour.

Alligators!

Alligator babies!

Turtles!

Cypress trees, birds, Spanish moss, and lily pads galore!

Vicksburg, Mississippi

Lake Village, Arkansas was a bust.  The RV park was old and in need of a lot attention.  Rhoda's Tamales was closed and we ate at J J Cafe. The cafe had only 2 torn menus in the whole place.  We ordered hamburgers which were okay, but we were looking so forward to tamales.  

As you travel along the Mississippi River you truly see America's breadbasket.  Up north were fields and fields of corn and soybeans.  In the middle we saw more corn, soybeans, sorghum, cotton, and sweet potatoes.  The next day we arrived in Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Vicksburg National Military Park preserves the area where a 47 day battle during the Civil War took place.  This battle was instrumental for the North to have control of the Mississippi River.  Along the tour were many monuments for the men who fought this battle.  One of the more elabrate monuments is the Illinios State Memorial.

Another monument was the Monument to U.S. Colored Troops.

Placement of cannons and trenches were placed throughout the park as if they were in battle.

Restored gunboat USS Cairo was sunk with a torpedo/mine in 1862 in the Yazoo River right outside of Vicksburg.

Inside the ship was a banana spider.

Yazoo River where USS Cairo was sunk.

Leaving Clarksdale into Trouble

We left Clarksdale, drove through Greenville, and were going to cross the Mississippi River when all the sudden a truck in front of us hit his brakes.  We crossed over to the left lane and stopped!  A power line had dropped down across the road.

Another impatient truck driver drove around us and smacked the wire right into us.  Right away we called 911 and the sheriff were first to arrive.  Then came the state police and traffic was backed up for miles, both directions.

Finally, the utility company arrived and pulled the wire up out of the way.  Whew!

Clarksdale, Mississippi

Along our journey to Lake Village, Arkansas, where we were going to get some southern tamales, we stopped in the town of Clarksdale, Mississippi.  Jim was hesitant to go because he would have to park at the Walmart, then unhook the truck so we could tour the Delta Blues Museum.

He relented and he was glad he did.  Clarksdale is the home to many blues artist such as Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Doc Watson, and many more.  The area around this town in the middle of nowhere was home to the beginning of the blues. Each year they a Sunflower Festival that showcases many famous blues artist.

Elvis!

First, we visited 2 airplanes he owned, 

then we visited the many cars and motorcycles that were his.

Then we were off to the mansion.

He was 22 when he bought this mansion.  It included shag carpeting, avacado dishwasher, and gold oven.  So 6o's!  he even had a jungle room.

Awards galore!

And his outfits, especially tiger suit.

Last, we past by his grave site that includes his father, mother, and twin brother.