Natchez Trace Parkway, Vicksburg, Natchez Mississippi and New Orleans Road Trip Report
Jun 1st, 2007, 12:22 PM
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Natchez Trace Parkway, Vicksburg, Natchez Mississippi and New Orleans Road Trip Report
We spent the night in Nashville and began our drive of the Natchez Trace Parkway at 7 am. The Parkway runs from Nashville Tn to Natchez Mississippi and is a National Park. The speed limit is 40mph to 50mph and you drive it for the trip, not for the destination. We drove it to Vicksburg, Mississippi and stopped many times at the historic sites, thereby making our trip to Vicksburg, 11 hrs. Portions of the Parkway follow sections of the original Natchez Trace which predates Columbus’ voyage. Indians utilized the animal trails in the area. As early as 1785 settlers and merchants used the Trail to go north from Natchez thru Choctaw and Chickasaw Indian Nations. We stopped often to walk the original part of the trail and visit historical sites like the grave of Meriwether Lewis.
There are no restaurants on the Parkway but lots of rest stops with bathrooms and picnic tables. We packed a breakfast of bagels and peanut butter and banana’s and stopped for a breakfast picnic. We also got off the Parkway in Tupelo, bought a bucket of chicken, got back on the Parkway, stopped at an overlook and had a luncheon picnic. A very restful and scenic drive.
Once in Vicksburg we decided to stay at Diamond Jacks Casino and Hotel. We made this decision because they offer Mississippi River views with balcony.
While in Vicksburg we visited the National Military Park, a battlefield of the Civil War and now a memorial and National Cemetery. I found it to be very sad. The Northern states memorials are many and huge. The southern states smaller and like an after thought. Federal solders are the ones buried in the National Cemetery while the Rebels are buried in a city cemetery. I know, I know, but we are all Americans.
We were so fortunate to stay at Monmouth Plantation in Natchez. We had a suite for two nights that included breakfast and dinner and both were wonderful. Staff and management are service orientated and I felt a part of the pre- Civil War days.
We then traveled to Houston for our grandson’s graduation from high school and time with our Texas family. Great fun
On our return trip to Ohio, we stayed two days in New Orleans at Le Richelieu in the French Quarter. An older hotel but clean and offers free gated parking. We had excellent oysters at Acme Oyster House and would recommend them to all oyster lovers. The seafood gumbo was also delicious. For lunch the next day we went to the Central Grocery, purchased the sandwich they are known for but can’t remember the name and took it with drinks to the Mississippi River for another picnic lunch.
A truly terrific road trip.
There are no restaurants on the Parkway but lots of rest stops with bathrooms and picnic tables. We packed a breakfast of bagels and peanut butter and banana’s and stopped for a breakfast picnic. We also got off the Parkway in Tupelo, bought a bucket of chicken, got back on the Parkway, stopped at an overlook and had a luncheon picnic. A very restful and scenic drive.
Once in Vicksburg we decided to stay at Diamond Jacks Casino and Hotel. We made this decision because they offer Mississippi River views with balcony.
While in Vicksburg we visited the National Military Park, a battlefield of the Civil War and now a memorial and National Cemetery. I found it to be very sad. The Northern states memorials are many and huge. The southern states smaller and like an after thought. Federal solders are the ones buried in the National Cemetery while the Rebels are buried in a city cemetery. I know, I know, but we are all Americans.
We were so fortunate to stay at Monmouth Plantation in Natchez. We had a suite for two nights that included breakfast and dinner and both were wonderful. Staff and management are service orientated and I felt a part of the pre- Civil War days.
We then traveled to Houston for our grandson’s graduation from high school and time with our Texas family. Great fun
On our return trip to Ohio, we stayed two days in New Orleans at Le Richelieu in the French Quarter. An older hotel but clean and offers free gated parking. We had excellent oysters at Acme Oyster House and would recommend them to all oyster lovers. The seafood gumbo was also delicious. For lunch the next day we went to the Central Grocery, purchased the sandwich they are known for but can’t remember the name and took it with drinks to the Mississippi River for another picnic lunch.
A truly terrific road trip.
Jun 1st, 2007, 03:06 PM
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Mufaletta! That's it! so good! $11.00 for a whole and huge! It's cut into 4th's Yummmmmmm
Allow for time at the French Market either before or after. We made a few purchases there and it's right by the river. Course you probably already know that since you knew about mufaletta's
Allow for time at the French Market either before or after. We made a few purchases there and it's right by the river. Course you probably already know that since you knew about mufaletta's
