OP
$23 in Kiwiland, not taking into account the conversion rate would buy about 9 litres, 2 1/4 gallons.
The Flying Kiwis Return: American Road Trip Part 2.
- Thread starter Kiwi cop
- Start date
$23 in Kiwiland, not taking into account the conversion rate would buy about 9 litres, 2 1/4 gallons.
lawandorder
Member
On your trip through Mississippi if you pass near Corinth the Civil War Interpretive Center is worth a stop and the Rib Shack at 201 US 72 has outstanding BBQ.
Have fun and safe travels,
Have fun and safe travels,
OP
Nothing went wrong today (after we got on the road)!
We were hoping for another night of uninterrupted sleep. Unfortunately an alarm out in the hotel corridor woke us both us just after 1 am and I just couldn't get back to sleep. I read some online news sites on mu iPad, pulled out my laptop and wrote for a bit, but still wide awake until I finally dozed off about 5 am.
The alarm drew me out of my slumber at 6:30, just long enough to turn it off, roll over and go back to sleep. An hour later I resurfaced and decided it was time to get moving.
Shower, dressed, pack our bags, load them into the car and check I had packed everything. Then it was time for another light breakfast, toasted bagel and slice of toast for me, small yoghurt and a slice of toast for Karen, coffee for us both.
By 8:30 we were ready to depart Houston. I checked out at the hotel reception desk and retrieved our cash security deposit, then went out to the car. Karen asked me where I had put something and when I told her she said" Just like on our last trip then"? That was when I realised I had put everything in the car exactly as I had done back in 2018.
Entering iMaps directions for Lake Charles, I followed the little voice inside the app until we were on I-10 driving east. I turned off the directions to save a bit of data, something I had learnt last time too.
Karen dozed off Wallisville. She had been kept awake by my inability to sleep and moving about the room
.
Around 15 minutes before we reached Beaumont Karen woke up and asked me to stop if I saw a McDonalds so she could use the bathroom and get a coffee. I didn't see a McD's but did see an IHOP. We had missed visiting one last time and were planning to have breakfast in one tomorrow, but what's a day early?
It was busy and a bit crowded. We both ordered a 3 stack of buttermilk pancakes. breakfast had been almost 2 hours ago
The coffee was welcome but the pancakes were tasting little funny to us both. Too much salt or baking powder maybe? In any event Karen decided we would go somewhere else tomorrow (our hotel tonight does not serve breakfast). We would have plenty of options to choose from.
Once back on I-10 we made our way to Lake Charles where we stopped on the lake frontage to take some photos and videos before driving around the downtown area. Near what appears to be an old courthouse (some of he second floor windows are boarded up, but that could just be left over from hurricane Laura???) there is a monument which caught my eye, to the defenders of the south during the civil war. How long before this falls foul of the history rewriters?
We made the drive from Lake Charles to Lafayette, exiting I-10 to stop and visit Virmilionville, a historic "village" featuring original and recreated houses from the 1800's through to the mid 1950's.
Karen didn't feel like wandering around in the heat of early afternoon so she sat in the car while I had a good look around. There was a band playing 1960's/1970's classics in the performance centre and I stopped by there for a few minutes too.
When I got back to the car Karen asked if she could stop off at our overnight accommodation as it was hot and she wanted to just cool off under air con. On the way back to I-10 we saw a gas station and stopped to grab cold cokes.
From Lafayette we made the run to Baton Rouge in just under an hour. Crossing the Atchafalaya Basin I was reminded once more of how American road construction differs from back home where obstructions like lakes, rivers and mountains are skirted until they can be crossed. Here, a bridge is built in a straight line.
Coming into Baton Rouge our hotel, a Red Roof, was right off I-10. I had booked it after seeing reviews on both Trip Advisor (not good) and Expedia (very good). Initially it did not look too inviting with an old, clearly abandoned, building in the front. The roof paint was faded and overdue for a repaint, while there was a weed growing out of the gutter of the reception area, and more weeds around the edges of the carpark. Karen was a bit apprehensive but having prepaid we want inside to "have a look".
Once in the room things improved quite a lot. Smaller than our room in Houston it was clean and inviting, especially the bathroom. There was a faint air con order but the unit was turned down low and working overtime. Turning the temperature up to a reasonable 72 degrees and the smell dissipated.
After bringing in all the luggage we unpacked, plugged in the electric stuff, found the wi-fi and settled in to our overnight home.
I was looking forward to using the pool, but it was closed, and as I was warned might happen, the washing machine took my $2 (in quarters) and refused to operate. Oh well, we have clothes for tomorrow and can do our laundry in New Orleans.
I had planned on stopping by and getting photo's of both the Old State Capitol and USS Kidd, although I was not planning on going into either (the State Capitol being closed today and tomorrow). But once in the room I decided they could both wait until the morning.
Surrounded by fast food outlets (Burger King, McD's, Waffle House, Wendy's etc), Karen asked if we could just have fast food tonight instead of going out to Cracker Barrel like we had planned. Suited me.
We were hoping for another night of uninterrupted sleep. Unfortunately an alarm out in the hotel corridor woke us both us just after 1 am and I just couldn't get back to sleep. I read some online news sites on mu iPad, pulled out my laptop and wrote for a bit, but still wide awake until I finally dozed off about 5 am.
The alarm drew me out of my slumber at 6:30, just long enough to turn it off, roll over and go back to sleep. An hour later I resurfaced and decided it was time to get moving.
Shower, dressed, pack our bags, load them into the car and check I had packed everything. Then it was time for another light breakfast, toasted bagel and slice of toast for me, small yoghurt and a slice of toast for Karen, coffee for us both.
By 8:30 we were ready to depart Houston. I checked out at the hotel reception desk and retrieved our cash security deposit, then went out to the car. Karen asked me where I had put something and when I told her she said" Just like on our last trip then"? That was when I realised I had put everything in the car exactly as I had done back in 2018.
Entering iMaps directions for Lake Charles, I followed the little voice inside the app until we were on I-10 driving east. I turned off the directions to save a bit of data, something I had learnt last time too.
Karen dozed off Wallisville. She had been kept awake by my inability to sleep and moving about the room
.Around 15 minutes before we reached Beaumont Karen woke up and asked me to stop if I saw a McDonalds so she could use the bathroom and get a coffee. I didn't see a McD's but did see an IHOP. We had missed visiting one last time and were planning to have breakfast in one tomorrow, but what's a day early?
It was busy and a bit crowded. We both ordered a 3 stack of buttermilk pancakes. breakfast had been almost 2 hours ago
The coffee was welcome but the pancakes were tasting little funny to us both. Too much salt or baking powder maybe? In any event Karen decided we would go somewhere else tomorrow (our hotel tonight does not serve breakfast). We would have plenty of options to choose from.
Once back on I-10 we made our way to Lake Charles where we stopped on the lake frontage to take some photos and videos before driving around the downtown area. Near what appears to be an old courthouse (some of he second floor windows are boarded up, but that could just be left over from hurricane Laura???) there is a monument which caught my eye, to the defenders of the south during the civil war. How long before this falls foul of the history rewriters?
We made the drive from Lake Charles to Lafayette, exiting I-10 to stop and visit Virmilionville, a historic "village" featuring original and recreated houses from the 1800's through to the mid 1950's.
Karen didn't feel like wandering around in the heat of early afternoon so she sat in the car while I had a good look around. There was a band playing 1960's/1970's classics in the performance centre and I stopped by there for a few minutes too
.When I got back to the car Karen asked if she could stop off at our overnight accommodation as it was hot and she wanted to just cool off under air con. On the way back to I-10 we saw a gas station and stopped to grab cold cokes.
From Lafayette we made the run to Baton Rouge in just under an hour. Crossing the Atchafalaya Basin I was reminded once more of how American road construction differs from back home where obstructions like lakes, rivers and mountains are skirted until they can be crossed. Here, a bridge is built in a straight line.
Coming into Baton Rouge our hotel, a Red Roof, was right off I-10. I had booked it after seeing reviews on both Trip Advisor (not good) and Expedia (very good). Initially it did not look too inviting with an old, clearly abandoned, building in the front. The roof paint was faded and overdue for a repaint, while there was a weed growing out of the gutter of the reception area, and more weeds around the edges of the carpark. Karen was a bit apprehensive but having prepaid we want inside to "have a look".
Once in the room things improved quite a lot. Smaller than our room in Houston it was clean and inviting, especially the bathroom. There was a faint air con order but the unit was turned down low and working overtime. Turning the temperature up to a reasonable 72 degrees and the smell dissipated.
After bringing in all the luggage we unpacked, plugged in the electric stuff, found the wi-fi and settled in to our overnight home.
I was looking forward to using the pool, but it was closed, and as I was warned might happen, the washing machine took my $2 (in quarters) and refused to operate. Oh well, we have clothes for tomorrow and can do our laundry in New Orleans.
I had planned on stopping by and getting photo's of both the Old State Capitol and USS Kidd, although I was not planning on going into either (the State Capitol being closed today and tomorrow). But once in the room I decided they could both wait until the morning.
Surrounded by fast food outlets (Burger King, McD's, Waffle House, Wendy's etc), Karen asked if we could just have fast food tonight instead of going out to Cracker Barrel like we had planned. Suited me.
Attachments
Last edited:
Beignets and coffee are mandatory when in New Orleans! Cafe Du Monde is a must-see. You're in the middle of New Orleans culture. However, Morning Call is where you'll find the locals and a more laid-back atmosphere. Try 'em both!
Kiwi, you have had your share of travails but none terribly serious thankfully! In my travels I have found that the obstacles overcome successfully afford me some of my best and pleasant memories rather than the easy successes. You two are troopers, carry on and best wishes.
OP
It seems that as I age I am getting less sleep at night. Six hours uninterrupted is about as good as it gets for me, and that's what happened last night.
Awake in the small hours, unable to get back to sleep, read a few news items on the iPad (Kiwiland has finally ended mask mandates in all but the health sector and we won't have to wear them going home, though we probably will), write a few pages on the trip so far and back to doze around 5 am until the alarm goes off at 6:30.
Up and shower then pack the car again. By 8 am we have checked out of the Red Roof Inn and driven the whole 400 yards to the local Waffle House where we decide on the full breakfast again. Then on the road.
First up, into town where we stop and I get photos of both the Old State Capitol and USS Kidd. The Capitol is not open today and it is too early for the Kidd. Then it is hit the interstate for the 1 hour run down to Vacherie and the Laura Plantation. Originally just an opportunity to see an restored slave plantation before they all disappear from cancel culture. I found the 1 3/4 hour tour very interesting.
Modern times see Creole as being a mix of African, Native American and European (particularly French but including Spanish, German, Dutch and every other European country) culture. But originally there were three requirements to being Cajun.
1. Be born in Louisiana,
2. Speak French, and
3. Be Catholic.
The history of the plantation is also one of those fascinating ones. How badly must the matriarch of the family have acted towards her children and grandchildren for them to abandon her when they fled the land during the Union shelling of the area during the civil war?
From the plantation we travelled LA's minor State highways almost all the way to New Orleans. Just after getting on to I-45 again Karen asked me how the gas state in the car was. Mmmm. We needed gas very soon as we hadn't gassed up since Saturday night in Houston. Pulling off the interstate we gassed up the car ($31 plus a bit of change from an almost empty tank) and bought an ice cream each.
Once in New Orleans the first stop was Chalmette Monument where the Battle of New Orleans occurred. I had meant to visit here in 2018 after learning of it while on the Natchez Jazz cruise, but it slipped my mind once we got off the boat.
From there it was a short drive into the French Quarter. We drove down Decatur St from the French Markets again. Karen is having a bit of stress with walking, a hangover from her recent bout with Covid. She is getting stronger each day but didn't want to walk too far. We ended up at the same carpark we used for the Natchez cruise, at he same price. $31 for 2 hours placed on a credit card (no cash accepted at the machine). Who says al the crooks are illegal, at his price parking is daylight robbery!
Right next door to the parking lot are the Upper Pontalba appartments, perhaps the oldest apartments in the US, if not the world. Fans of NCIS New Orleans would have seen them as the off duty home for several of the lead female characters during the shows run, I hadn't got a photo last time, something I rectified, as well as some video of the river from the nearby bank.
Cafe Du Monde was next on the agenda. OJ for Karen, a slushy for me and a plate of three beignets shared between us. There was a saxophonist near the road and a bucket drummer opposite which blended in together despite one playing jazz and the other beats.
Karen was concerned for the welfare of the horses drawing the carriages on the opposite side of the road. It was hot and she wondered why the horses didn't have water. I suggested a ride on one of the 3 wheel bikes and we went to sit on a nearby bench, but no bikes came back to the stop while we were there so we returned to the car.
We headed along Decatur St until it reached Canal, turned right to Bourbon and drove almost the entire length with the windows down listening to the music coming from the bars all the way along. By now it was after 3 pm, time to find our hotel and check in.
Days Inn by Wyndham is not as "budget" as Baton Rouge's Red Roof Inn had been, but it's close. Once again we (okay I) and selected it based on reviews on booking.com as well as the price. It was a little rough looking outside but clean, tidy and comfortable inside. Which is all we need.
After unpacking the car and setting up all the electronics I logged on to my laptop and booked our Swamp Tour for tomorrow. I also rejigged our itinerary a bit. The Jazz Museum, which we didn't get to today, will be first thing in the morning. The Swamp Tour starts at 12:15 and the late afternoon/early evening will be spent at Louis Armstrong Park and a walk along Bourbon St for dinner.
And speaking of dinner, I made the run to Melba's for Po Boys. Chicken for Karen and Shrimp for me.
Tonight I'll forgo heading back into town for he third time today for the music and will catch the premier of the new Fox country music series "Monarch" online. I'm interested to see how they play the dichotomy of Susan Surrender and Trace Adkins playing husband and wife
Awake in the small hours, unable to get back to sleep, read a few news items on the iPad (Kiwiland has finally ended mask mandates in all but the health sector and we won't have to wear them going home, though we probably will), write a few pages on the trip so far and back to doze around 5 am until the alarm goes off at 6:30.
Up and shower then pack the car again. By 8 am we have checked out of the Red Roof Inn and driven the whole 400 yards to the local Waffle House where we decide on the full breakfast again. Then on the road.
First up, into town where we stop and I get photos of both the Old State Capitol and USS Kidd. The Capitol is not open today and it is too early for the Kidd. Then it is hit the interstate for the 1 hour run down to Vacherie and the Laura Plantation. Originally just an opportunity to see an restored slave plantation before they all disappear from cancel culture. I found the 1 3/4 hour tour very interesting.
Modern times see Creole as being a mix of African, Native American and European (particularly French but including Spanish, German, Dutch and every other European country) culture. But originally there were three requirements to being Cajun.
1. Be born in Louisiana,
2. Speak French, and
3. Be Catholic.
The history of the plantation is also one of those fascinating ones. How badly must the matriarch of the family have acted towards her children and grandchildren for them to abandon her when they fled the land during the Union shelling of the area during the civil war?
From the plantation we travelled LA's minor State highways almost all the way to New Orleans. Just after getting on to I-45 again Karen asked me how the gas state in the car was. Mmmm. We needed gas very soon as we hadn't gassed up since Saturday night in Houston. Pulling off the interstate we gassed up the car ($31 plus a bit of change from an almost empty tank) and bought an ice cream each.
Once in New Orleans the first stop was Chalmette Monument where the Battle of New Orleans occurred. I had meant to visit here in 2018 after learning of it while on the Natchez Jazz cruise, but it slipped my mind once we got off the boat.
From there it was a short drive into the French Quarter. We drove down Decatur St from the French Markets again. Karen is having a bit of stress with walking, a hangover from her recent bout with Covid. She is getting stronger each day but didn't want to walk too far. We ended up at the same carpark we used for the Natchez cruise, at he same price. $31 for 2 hours placed on a credit card (no cash accepted at the machine). Who says al the crooks are illegal, at his price parking is daylight robbery!
Right next door to the parking lot are the Upper Pontalba appartments, perhaps the oldest apartments in the US, if not the world. Fans of NCIS New Orleans would have seen them as the off duty home for several of the lead female characters during the shows run, I hadn't got a photo last time, something I rectified, as well as some video of the river from the nearby bank.
Cafe Du Monde was next on the agenda. OJ for Karen, a slushy for me and a plate of three beignets shared between us. There was a saxophonist near the road and a bucket drummer opposite which blended in together despite one playing jazz and the other beats.
Karen was concerned for the welfare of the horses drawing the carriages on the opposite side of the road. It was hot and she wondered why the horses didn't have water. I suggested a ride on one of the 3 wheel bikes and we went to sit on a nearby bench, but no bikes came back to the stop while we were there so we returned to the car.
We headed along Decatur St until it reached Canal, turned right to Bourbon and drove almost the entire length with the windows down listening to the music coming from the bars all the way along. By now it was after 3 pm, time to find our hotel and check in.
Days Inn by Wyndham is not as "budget" as Baton Rouge's Red Roof Inn had been, but it's close. Once again we (okay I) and selected it based on reviews on booking.com as well as the price. It was a little rough looking outside but clean, tidy and comfortable inside. Which is all we need.
After unpacking the car and setting up all the electronics I logged on to my laptop and booked our Swamp Tour for tomorrow. I also rejigged our itinerary a bit. The Jazz Museum, which we didn't get to today, will be first thing in the morning. The Swamp Tour starts at 12:15 and the late afternoon/early evening will be spent at Louis Armstrong Park and a walk along Bourbon St for dinner.
And speaking of dinner, I made the run to Melba's for Po Boys. Chicken for Karen and Shrimp for me.
Tonight I'll forgo heading back into town for he third time today for the music and will catch the premier of the new Fox country music series "Monarch" online. I'm interested to see how they play the dichotomy of Susan Surrender and Trace Adkins playing husband and wife
Last edited:
HOUSTON RICK
Member
Karen must be a trooper. Mrs. Houston would never accept such reasonably priced entertainment, lodging and fare on her vacation or travel. Blind luck may be as good as planning for inexpensive dinner in the quarter as names change. I have one unscientific rule of thumb to never go to a French Quarter restaurant that is only on the second floor. Wishing you a pleasant day!
OP
I agree. As you know it is those things, like St Louis Mississippi mud, that stick in the mind and give you lifetime memories.
One minor "travail" occurred yesterday.
For several years Karen has kept her debit Visa card, which operates out of her cheque account, along with her regular Visa card and Ryan's bank card in her phone wallet. We closed her Visa account a few months back and she left Ryan his card to use while we are away.
Our first night in Houston sorting out her phone, her debit Visa fell out of the stretched wallet pocket onto the bed.
Late Sunday went she went to phone Ryan and she noticed her debit Visa missing. We checked her handbag and carry-on, then yesterday morning I looked all through the car. No card. We didn't think it could be used here so waited until last night to online report it lost and order a new card. Thanks whenever we found about US$80/NZ$120 had been charged to her account over the last two days, obviously by pay-wave. Mostly small amounts, NZ$1.79, but NZ$44 at Wendy's and a similar amount at Shell.
Yesterday was Karen's fortnightly pension payment deposit. I usually would have transferee anything she has left over to our savings account on Friday but just left it while we are away to build up.
We were able to phone the bank, cancel the Visa hold on two transactions and dispute the rest.
The little things
Last edited:
OP
The "budget" accomodation means more funds to spend on activities. Actually, apart from appearances, the hotels and motels are a step or two above most in NZ which are built from breeze blocks (which we call hollow stone), both inside and out, and which have cramped showers only, no baths.
As for dining, Karen is not really one for sit down fancy food. She would be happy with Burger King/McD's or similar every night. She loves what we have been eating so far.
One of the things that the Mrs. and I have learned is to use Google maps and check out the street level view of the hotel and surrounding area. Good way to see what you are getting into before you book. Not sure how much more time you have in NO. A history/graveyard tour is always good. Night tours are preferable for heat and a spookier effect.
Last edited:
My uncle had a great saying for this: "I don't want to buy the place, I just want to sleep there!"
For my family, clean and quiet are important, fancy isn't.
OP
Another night of broken sleep, up in the wee hours and dozing off again around 5 am. I ended up going back to sleep and Karen waking me at 7:30.Not that there was any hurry. We did not have to be on our way until just before 9 am.
A quick shower, dress, and down the corridor to breakfast. Advertised as continental only there was yoghurt, fruit salad, cereal, toast, muffins and some apples with coffee (no decaf) and some orange juice in the fridge. Fruit salad for me, yoghurt for Karen toast, jam and coffee. Then back to the room for me to write and Karen to surf YouTube until it was time to leave.
Our first stop today was something I had been looking forward to. As I have said, my father was a bandsman in the Royal Marines from January 1941 to somewhere around '44/'45. he played trombone and trumpet. During the Queen's Coronation ceremony he was selected to play a trumpet solo for the Duke of Edinburgh. Prior to the event the band were warned not to speak to His Highness under any circumstances. Afterwards the Duke approached my father and congratulated him on his solo. My father did the only thing he could do and said "Thank you Sir", for which his sergeant (many years alter my brothers godfather) gave him a public dressing down anda weeks kitchen duty. Hr last rbecame a professional museum in Kiwiland, until i was about to come into the world and he was required to get a real job.
I had been looking forward to the New Orleans Jazz Museum since well before this trip became a possibility.
We made our way back down I-10, Elysium Fields Ave, and into the French Quarter where the museum was opposite the stallholders entrance to the French Markets. Spying an open gate with cars parked inside, I turned in and reversed into a car park. On getting out we were greeted by a security officer (with Glock on his hip) and told there was no public parking, staff only, but if we did not leave our car there to wander off into the markets or town we could stay parked on site for as long as we were inside the museum.
Entry was a reasonable $8 each but I was underwhelmed with what I saw. There were displays on some local jazz names, some drums, two or three piano's, a small display of brass and woodwind instruments and some rooms celebrating painters and photographs of the jazz scene. That's all. There wasn't even a display for Louis Armstrong!
The mint display was interesting but small, and we left after less than an hour feeling a little disappointed with what we saw.
We had plenty of time so next up was Louis Armstrong Park, but on arrival it was still locked, event hough it was advertised as opening at 8am.
I had left my video camera at the motel and it was on the way so we returned back to grab a coffee and pick up the camera. Then we made the 35 minute drive out to US 90 a Slidell for a Cajun Encounter Swamp Tour. On the way we crossed the "short" (6 mile long) bridge across Lake Ponchartrain. We had driven the bridge into New Orleans from Mississippi back in 2018 and then bought it very long. Now we know the causeway is four times longer.
This is possibly the highlight of the trip so far. We saw 'gators, turtles, a blue Heron, racoons and a barn owl. So much for owls only coming out at night. I also (Karen missed them) saw my very first snakes outside of the Houston Zoo.
We have a whole day on the road tomorrow, so after picking up a few things from Dollar General we just chilled out for the next 90 minutes. Well, Karen chilled out. I booked some accomodation for the next few days in Vicksburg and Tupelo while updating some social media. I also checked up on our remaining money. So far we are under our daily budget and will end the first week with about US$500 left over. If I was a fortune teller I would say I see a big shopping spend for Karen before we go back, although our accomodation, especially in Nashville, will be a bit more costly than it has been to date. Then it was time for dinner at Appleby's.
A 22 minute drive through rush hour traffic. Karen had the small chicken platter with fries and 'slaw, while I decided on the Bourbon Chicken with Blackened Shrimp, followed up with Pecan Pie for her and the triple chocolate desert for him. We were both full. On the way back to the motel we gassed up for tomorrows drive up through Mississippi to Vicksburg.
A quick shower, dress, and down the corridor to breakfast. Advertised as continental only there was yoghurt, fruit salad, cereal, toast, muffins and some apples with coffee (no decaf) and some orange juice in the fridge. Fruit salad for me, yoghurt for Karen toast, jam and coffee. Then back to the room for me to write and Karen to surf YouTube until it was time to leave.
Our first stop today was something I had been looking forward to. As I have said, my father was a bandsman in the Royal Marines from January 1941 to somewhere around '44/'45. he played trombone and trumpet. During the Queen's Coronation ceremony he was selected to play a trumpet solo for the Duke of Edinburgh. Prior to the event the band were warned not to speak to His Highness under any circumstances. Afterwards the Duke approached my father and congratulated him on his solo. My father did the only thing he could do and said "Thank you Sir", for which his sergeant (many years alter my brothers godfather) gave him a public dressing down anda weeks kitchen duty. Hr last rbecame a professional museum in Kiwiland, until i was about to come into the world and he was required to get a real job.
I had been looking forward to the New Orleans Jazz Museum since well before this trip became a possibility.
We made our way back down I-10, Elysium Fields Ave, and into the French Quarter where the museum was opposite the stallholders entrance to the French Markets. Spying an open gate with cars parked inside, I turned in and reversed into a car park. On getting out we were greeted by a security officer (with Glock on his hip) and told there was no public parking, staff only, but if we did not leave our car there to wander off into the markets or town we could stay parked on site for as long as we were inside the museum.
Entry was a reasonable $8 each but I was underwhelmed with what I saw. There were displays on some local jazz names, some drums, two or three piano's, a small display of brass and woodwind instruments and some rooms celebrating painters and photographs of the jazz scene. That's all. There wasn't even a display for Louis Armstrong!
The mint display was interesting but small, and we left after less than an hour feeling a little disappointed with what we saw.
We had plenty of time so next up was Louis Armstrong Park, but on arrival it was still locked, event hough it was advertised as opening at 8am.
I had left my video camera at the motel and it was on the way so we returned back to grab a coffee and pick up the camera. Then we made the 35 minute drive out to US 90 a Slidell for a Cajun Encounter Swamp Tour. On the way we crossed the "short" (6 mile long) bridge across Lake Ponchartrain. We had driven the bridge into New Orleans from Mississippi back in 2018 and then bought it very long. Now we know the causeway is four times longer.
This is possibly the highlight of the trip so far. We saw 'gators, turtles, a blue Heron, racoons and a barn owl. So much for owls only coming out at night. I also (Karen missed them) saw my very first snakes outside of the Houston Zoo.
We have a whole day on the road tomorrow, so after picking up a few things from Dollar General we just chilled out for the next 90 minutes. Well, Karen chilled out. I booked some accomodation for the next few days in Vicksburg and Tupelo while updating some social media. I also checked up on our remaining money. So far we are under our daily budget and will end the first week with about US$500 left over. If I was a fortune teller I would say I see a big shopping spend for Karen before we go back, although our accomodation, especially in Nashville, will be a bit more costly than it has been to date. Then it was time for dinner at Appleby's.
A 22 minute drive through rush hour traffic. Karen had the small chicken platter with fries and 'slaw, while I decided on the Bourbon Chicken with Blackened Shrimp, followed up with Pecan Pie for her and the triple chocolate desert for him. We were both full. On the way back to the motel we gassed up for tomorrows drive up through Mississippi to Vicksburg.
Last edited:
OP
A welcome surprise this morning. While I woke again in darkness if was almost 4 am, not sometime between 2 and 3. And it was welcome. Once more I got up and wrote a few pages. About 5:30 I went back to bed for an hour but did not sleep or even doze.
By 7 am I was up, showered, dressed and we were packing up our room. A repeat of yesterday's breakfast with a toasted bagel and we were in the car and leaving New Orleans.
We retraced last nights drive to Metairie, but this time instead of turning off to Appleby's we continued straight onto the long causeway across Lake Ponchartrain. I have to confess it was a bit spooky. The shadow from the eastern wall would often blend with the colour of the water behind it, and when in the right lane it sometimes felt like we were about to drive off the side into the water.
For the last half of the trip we could see the north shore growing nearer, and 24 miles after driving onto the bridge we were back on land near Mandeville.
Three miles further on we turned west on I-12 back towards Baton Rouge. An hour later we were on the outskirts of the city. Initially iMaps was set to take us up onto Highway 61, but a few miles out it changed the route, taking us right into the city and back on I-10 for several miles in a big loop just to "save 2 minutes". By the time I realised what had happened it was too late, we were committed.
We eventually made it onto HW61 and shortly afterwards turned off to the Port Hudson National Cemetery. We drove around taking some photos and video then made our way to the State Historic Site and Battlefield.
Back on HW61 we continued on to Saint Francisville. Originally we were hoping to drive around this historic town, but on HW61 it was all modern. We had a long way to go today so decided not to stop and look for the older part of town.
From Saint Francisville the regular occurrences of churches with those white steeples was apparent. Shortly afterwards we crossed into Mississippi and surprisingly, for a State with some high poverty levels, the road surface drastically improved. Red instead of blacktop and the surface so smooth. The farms looked prosperous too, large houses behind white fences.
At Woodville we turned off driving around the town square and looking at the shops on the main street. There were not too many businesses actually open, and the only gas station in the centre of town was falling down! There were two back near the highway though in much better condition.
Originally we were going to call into Mammy's Cupboard just out of Natchez for lunch, but Karen requested McDonald's instead. We did stop to get a photo. Before we reached McD's we turned off to the The Grand Village of Natchez Indians for a short visit.
After lunch we made our way to 319 N Broadway, home to Smoots Grocery, an old time juke joint. Well we thought we did. Somehow 319 N Broadway became 319 Broadmore in iMps and we found ourselves outside a residential house in the suburbs
Oh well, too bad, never mind.
Back on HW61 we continued on towards Vicksburg. Around Natchez Trace the 4 lane divided highway became a 2 lane undivided one all the way through to north of Port Gibson when the divided highway reappeared.
Just out of Vicksburg we realised we were at least an hour ahead of he schedule we had set, so to save some time tomorrow we decided to go to the Vicksburg National Military Park. Driving around we took photos and I went up the steps into the Illinois Memorial where the battery of my video camera died!
We made our way to the USS Cairo memorial and I spent some time looking all around. Then it was time to head to our hotel.
Yesterday, when booking, I decided on a different hotel to the one I had bookmarked online. It looked better and only cost $20 more. Unlike our Baton Rouge and New Orleans hotels the Howard Johnson looked attractive from the outside. As we drove to our room we passed the pool which looked inviting.
Once unpacked I got into my swimming trunks and crossed to the pool only to find it locked.A whole week in America at the end of summer and no chance of a swim yet.
Karen took the time to relax in the bathroom while I set up all our electronics, then it was time for dinner. After last night neither of us was too interested in going to far when there was a seafood place, Captain D's, right behind the hotel. Fish and chips, Karens second favourite meal after chicken.
All up we travelled for 275 miles in just under 9 hours today with plenty of side trips. Tomorrow we go to Tupelo via Indianola and Clarksdale. The long way around but we do have our reasons.
By 7 am I was up, showered, dressed and we were packing up our room. A repeat of yesterday's breakfast with a toasted bagel and we were in the car and leaving New Orleans.
We retraced last nights drive to Metairie, but this time instead of turning off to Appleby's we continued straight onto the long causeway across Lake Ponchartrain. I have to confess it was a bit spooky. The shadow from the eastern wall would often blend with the colour of the water behind it, and when in the right lane it sometimes felt like we were about to drive off the side into the water.
For the last half of the trip we could see the north shore growing nearer, and 24 miles after driving onto the bridge we were back on land near Mandeville.
Three miles further on we turned west on I-12 back towards Baton Rouge. An hour later we were on the outskirts of the city. Initially iMaps was set to take us up onto Highway 61, but a few miles out it changed the route, taking us right into the city and back on I-10 for several miles in a big loop just to "save 2 minutes". By the time I realised what had happened it was too late, we were committed.
We eventually made it onto HW61 and shortly afterwards turned off to the Port Hudson National Cemetery. We drove around taking some photos and video then made our way to the State Historic Site and Battlefield.
Back on HW61 we continued on to Saint Francisville. Originally we were hoping to drive around this historic town, but on HW61 it was all modern. We had a long way to go today so decided not to stop and look for the older part of town.
From Saint Francisville the regular occurrences of churches with those white steeples was apparent. Shortly afterwards we crossed into Mississippi and surprisingly, for a State with some high poverty levels, the road surface drastically improved. Red instead of blacktop and the surface so smooth. The farms looked prosperous too, large houses behind white fences.
At Woodville we turned off driving around the town square and looking at the shops on the main street. There were not too many businesses actually open, and the only gas station in the centre of town was falling down! There were two back near the highway though in much better condition.
Originally we were going to call into Mammy's Cupboard just out of Natchez for lunch, but Karen requested McDonald's instead. We did stop to get a photo. Before we reached McD's we turned off to the The Grand Village of Natchez Indians for a short visit.
After lunch we made our way to 319 N Broadway, home to Smoots Grocery, an old time juke joint. Well we thought we did. Somehow 319 N Broadway became 319 Broadmore in iMps and we found ourselves outside a residential house in the suburbs
Oh well, too bad, never mind.Back on HW61 we continued on towards Vicksburg. Around Natchez Trace the 4 lane divided highway became a 2 lane undivided one all the way through to north of Port Gibson when the divided highway reappeared.
Just out of Vicksburg we realised we were at least an hour ahead of he schedule we had set, so to save some time tomorrow we decided to go to the Vicksburg National Military Park. Driving around we took photos and I went up the steps into the Illinois Memorial where the battery of my video camera died!
We made our way to the USS Cairo memorial and I spent some time looking all around. Then it was time to head to our hotel.
Yesterday, when booking, I decided on a different hotel to the one I had bookmarked online. It looked better and only cost $20 more. Unlike our Baton Rouge and New Orleans hotels the Howard Johnson looked attractive from the outside. As we drove to our room we passed the pool which looked inviting.
Once unpacked I got into my swimming trunks and crossed to the pool only to find it locked
.A whole week in America at the end of summer and no chance of a swim yet.Karen took the time to relax in the bathroom while I set up all our electronics, then it was time for dinner. After last night neither of us was too interested in going to far when there was a seafood place, Captain D's, right behind the hotel. Fish and chips, Karens second favourite meal after chicken.
All up we travelled for 275 miles in just under 9 hours today with plenty of side trips. Tomorrow we go to Tupelo via Indianola and Clarksdale. The long way around but we do have our reasons.
Attachments
Last edited:
I agree. As you know it is those things, like St Louis Mississippi mud, that stick in the mind and give you lifetime memories.
One minor "travail" occurred yesterday.
For several years Karen has kept her debit Visa card, which operates out of her cheque account, along with her regular Visa card and Ryan's bank card in her phone wallet. We closed her Visa account a few months back and she left Ryan his card to use while we are away.
Our first night in Houston sorting out her phone, her debit Visa fell out of the stretched wallet pocket onto the bed.
Late Sunday went she went to phone Ryan and she noticed her debit Visa missing. We checked her handbag and carry-on, then yesterday morning I looked all through the car. No card. We didn't think it could be used here so waited until last night to online report it lost and order a new card. Thanks whenever we found about US$80/NZ$120 had been charged to her account over the last two days, obviously by pay-wave. Mostly small amounts, NZ$1.79, but NZ$44 at Wendy's and a similar amount at Shell.
Yesterday was Karen's fortnightly pension payment deposit. I usually would have transferee anything she has left over to our savings account on Friday but just left it while we are away to build up.
We were able to phone the bank, cancel the Visa hold on two transactions and dispute the rest.
The little things
I recall the story at the Arch. Someday I shall have to relay the story and photos of when my Daughter walked into a bed of rotting Kelp in NZ sinking deep while taking bird photos. I washed her clothes with a gas station hose after we stopped at Field and Stream to buy new shoes. We still laugh about that.
Maddog 521
Member
Kiwi cop
I should of mentioned this earlier as it is interesting. If you have time in Abilene and are hungry you should head out to Buffalo Gap. The Perini's have cooked for kings, queens and presidents in the past. It is unique.
Perini Ranch Steakhouse - Buffalo Gap, TX | Acclaimed Steakhouse & Rea
I should of mentioned this earlier as it is interesting. If you have time in Abilene and are hungry you should head out to Buffalo Gap. The Perini's have cooked for kings, queens and presidents in the past. It is unique.
Perini Ranch Steakhouse - Buffalo Gap, TX | Acclaimed Steakhouse & Rea
OP
Well I managed to sleep another 30 minutes last night, not waking until 4:30 this morning 
. was wide awake so opened the laptop to write up yesterdays activities. Karen woke up just after 6 and had her first coffee of the day.
By 7:30 we had completed our bathroom activities, dressed and had everything in the car. It was a cooler morning than it had been in Louisiana and Texas, but it was going to get warm. We were also to pass two milestones for the trip. First, it is the end of the first week, well 8 days, three more weeks to go. And secondly we passed the 1,500 miles travel for the week.
Checking out of the Howard Johnson, first stop was Waffle House for another full breakfast. Then we gassed up at the top of the road ($37 and change) before making our way to HW61 again on the way to Indianola.
Okay here I better explain. Today we were to do a lot of driving (just over 400 miles) for very few activities. And we would zig zag across Mississippi soles so we could get to see a few (very few) things. But we would enjoy the smaller roads and towns we passed through.
Not even 15 minutes on HW61 and we were turning off onto MS3. The 55 mph speed limit was complied with for the first hour, and I had the sunroof open as it was such a nice day. During the second hour I increased speed to 60. It was only our second time on this trip that we were travelling minor non-divided roads and we enjoyed it. There were cotton fields, some harvested, all the way. We also saw some markers for the Mississippi Blues Trail and a museum dedicated to the Blues and the issue of busses during segregation.
We also passed through a number of small (sometimes very small) towns where we saw several single wide "trailer parks". Karen didn't believe me these were generally on wheels and movable until she saw one without cladding below floor level.
By 10:30 we were in Indianola and walking through the B B King Museum. We spent almost an hour here and at BB's graveside. One thing that was unusual, no photographs are allowed inside the museum.
Leaving, we pulled up outside The Blue Biscuit, a blues club just across the road from the museum for some photos. Then it was a 90 minute drive to Clarksdale, simply to get a photo at the crossroads.
We took the slightly longer road through Cleveland and other small towns. On the way we saw a few more markers for the Mississippi Blues Trail. At Batesville I almost couldn't believe my eyes where one gas station was advertising regular at $4.78.9 a gallon. The next two stations had it at $2.99.9, then I noticed the price of diesel. Someone at the first place and obviously put the diesel price up for regular gas.
About half hour before we got to Clarksdale Karen asked me to keep an eye out for somewhere she could get a cold drink. As we were entering the city I asked her if she wanted a shake. When she said she did I pulled over and used iMaps t find an ice cream parlour. The closest was a Sonic which we pulled into. Karen had a small chocolate shake while I enjoyed a medium Oreo Cheesecake shake. I couldn't drink it through the straw and had to remove the lid to drink from the cup!
I queried iMaps for the crossroads (where Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul) and found it was right behind us. Time for some photos and then on to Tupelo, another two hours away.
Again we were driving on mainly MS-6E. Two undivided lanes at 55 mph. Here, once again, I found myself pushing my speed up 5 mph above the limit. But I was cautious and reduced speed at every reduction.
Finally we were back on HW61 and I cruised at the legal 65 mph limit all the way into Tupelo. This trip we tried to make it a rule not to drive more than 4 1/2 hours without a break day, but today was an exception due to the different things we wanted to cover in Mississippi. By the time we reached Tupelo we were both feeling tired, so we headed straight to our hotel, another Wingate by Wyndham, which I had booked on Tuesday afternoon. A bit more expensive than where we had been stayingnup till now the room smelt of fresh paint. Either this place is new (possible) or it has been refurbished.
No pool so no swim, but I made sure there was a laundry. At least I will have a clean shirt for tomorrow. While waiting for the laundry I decided to look for a hotel in Chattanooga for Saturday. None of the under $100 a night hotels or motels appealed. I knew Nashville was going to cost more each night but Chattanooga too?
In some exasperaton I googled Wingate by Wyndham. They have a hotel in Chattanooga and while it was expensive ($128 for the night plus tax) I knew it would at least be comfortable. While on the site I also checked Nashville, Murfreesboro, Goodlettsville and Memphis. Goodlettsville and Memphis were both very reasonable, $80-$90 a night plus tax. I will bear them in mind when booking next week.
Chinese takeout is a favourite in our house, and on Saturday night I had seen a Panda Express at the side of the carpark outside Mo's in Katy.We and been to a Panda Express in Vegas last time and enjoyed it. The taste was different from Kiwi Chinese food but good. I thought some Chinese would be a welcome change from burgers, fires etc and Karen was keen. I found a Panda Express a 10 minute drive away and off we headed just before 6 pm.
On the way back to the hotel I decided that 1/3 a tank of gas was probably okay it was not desirable for tomorrows activities, so gassed up again, just under $25 or $6.25 per 100 miles.
Back in the hotel for the night I also looked for a hotel in Pigeon Forge. I almost booked the same place we stayed in 2018, less than $180 for two nights. This place in the summer season charges that per night, but then I saw that the breakfast was now a take out bag instead of the full breakfast we had enjoyed last time. Mmmm. There are some cheaper, and almost just as good with full continental breakfast places available, so I booked one.
Tomorrow we will explore Tupelo which we didn't get to do last time. The murals, inside Elvis' birth house (we were too early last time, it wasn't open) the battlefield and the Buffalo Park.
. was wide awake so opened the laptop to write up yesterdays activities. Karen woke up just after 6 and had her first coffee of the day.By 7:30 we had completed our bathroom activities, dressed and had everything in the car. It was a cooler morning than it had been in Louisiana and Texas, but it was going to get warm. We were also to pass two milestones for the trip. First, it is the end of the first week, well 8 days, three more weeks to go. And secondly we passed the 1,500 miles travel for the week.
Checking out of the Howard Johnson, first stop was Waffle House for another full breakfast. Then we gassed up at the top of the road ($37 and change) before making our way to HW61 again on the way to Indianola.
Okay here I better explain. Today we were to do a lot of driving (just over 400 miles) for very few activities. And we would zig zag across Mississippi soles so we could get to see a few (very few) things. But we would enjoy the smaller roads and towns we passed through.
Not even 15 minutes on HW61 and we were turning off onto MS3. The 55 mph speed limit was complied with for the first hour, and I had the sunroof open as it was such a nice day. During the second hour I increased speed to 60. It was only our second time on this trip that we were travelling minor non-divided roads and we enjoyed it. There were cotton fields, some harvested, all the way. We also saw some markers for the Mississippi Blues Trail and a museum dedicated to the Blues and the issue of busses during segregation.
We also passed through a number of small (sometimes very small) towns where we saw several single wide "trailer parks". Karen didn't believe me these were generally on wheels and movable until she saw one without cladding below floor level.
By 10:30 we were in Indianola and walking through the B B King Museum. We spent almost an hour here and at BB's graveside. One thing that was unusual, no photographs are allowed inside the museum.
Leaving, we pulled up outside The Blue Biscuit, a blues club just across the road from the museum for some photos. Then it was a 90 minute drive to Clarksdale, simply to get a photo at the crossroads
.We took the slightly longer road through Cleveland and other small towns. On the way we saw a few more markers for the Mississippi Blues Trail. At Batesville I almost couldn't believe my eyes where one gas station was advertising regular at $4.78.9 a gallon. The next two stations had it at $2.99.9, then I noticed the price of diesel. Someone at the first place and obviously put the diesel price up for regular gas.
About half hour before we got to Clarksdale Karen asked me to keep an eye out for somewhere she could get a cold drink. As we were entering the city I asked her if she wanted a shake. When she said she did I pulled over and used iMaps t find an ice cream parlour. The closest was a Sonic which we pulled into. Karen had a small chocolate shake while I enjoyed a medium Oreo Cheesecake shake. I couldn't drink it through the straw and had to remove the lid to drink from the cup!
I queried iMaps for the crossroads (where Robert Johnson allegedly sold his soul) and found it was right behind us. Time for some photos and then on to Tupelo, another two hours away.
Again we were driving on mainly MS-6E. Two undivided lanes at 55 mph. Here, once again, I found myself pushing my speed up 5 mph above the limit. But I was cautious and reduced speed at every reduction.
Finally we were back on HW61 and I cruised at the legal 65 mph limit all the way into Tupelo. This trip we tried to make it a rule not to drive more than 4 1/2 hours without a break day, but today was an exception due to the different things we wanted to cover in Mississippi. By the time we reached Tupelo we were both feeling tired, so we headed straight to our hotel, another Wingate by Wyndham, which I had booked on Tuesday afternoon. A bit more expensive than where we had been stayingnup till now the room smelt of fresh paint. Either this place is new (possible) or it has been refurbished.
No pool so no swim, but I made sure there was a laundry. At least I will have a clean shirt for tomorrow. While waiting for the laundry I decided to look for a hotel in Chattanooga for Saturday. None of the under $100 a night hotels or motels appealed. I knew Nashville was going to cost more each night but Chattanooga too?
In some exasperaton I googled Wingate by Wyndham. They have a hotel in Chattanooga and while it was expensive ($128 for the night plus tax) I knew it would at least be comfortable. While on the site I also checked Nashville, Murfreesboro, Goodlettsville and Memphis. Goodlettsville and Memphis were both very reasonable, $80-$90 a night plus tax. I will bear them in mind when booking next week.
Chinese takeout is a favourite in our house, and on Saturday night I had seen a Panda Express at the side of the carpark outside Mo's in Katy.We and been to a Panda Express in Vegas last time and enjoyed it. The taste was different from Kiwi Chinese food but good. I thought some Chinese would be a welcome change from burgers, fires etc and Karen was keen. I found a Panda Express a 10 minute drive away and off we headed just before 6 pm.
On the way back to the hotel I decided that 1/3 a tank of gas was probably okay it was not desirable for tomorrows activities, so gassed up again, just under $25 or $6.25 per 100 miles.
Back in the hotel for the night I also looked for a hotel in Pigeon Forge. I almost booked the same place we stayed in 2018, less than $180 for two nights. This place in the summer season charges that per night, but then I saw that the breakfast was now a take out bag instead of the full breakfast we had enjoyed last time. Mmmm. There are some cheaper, and almost just as good with full continental breakfast places available, so I booked one.
Tomorrow we will explore Tupelo which we didn't get to do last time. The murals, inside Elvis' birth house (we were too early last time, it wasn't open) the battlefield and the Buffalo Park.
HOUSTON RICK
Member
I hope you have more fun in the rest of your trip. My personal belief is that non-emergency governmental functions stopped functioning during COVID and decided not to bother restarting. `Many of our government employees have "quietly quit" but not been let go. So pools, public museums, offices and many non-essential government run functions are no longer reliable.
Maddog 521
Member
The Blues Highway is interesting and there are many things to see and explore.
OP
Tupelo and the drive to Chattanooga.
Yesterday I was again awake early. After trying, and failing, to get back to sleep I got up at 4:30 and started writing again. I am finding it much easier to write up each days travels as soon as I can, than I found it relying on on-line posts and memories several months later.
After and hour on the laptop I went back to bed and dozed until just before 7 am when I woke up still feeling groggy. Not that it mattered, it was gong to be an easy day.
After breakfast (basic. Muffins, sausage, egg and cheese croissant, cereal or waffles) we relaxed in our room until 9 am when we went out to explore.
I had found a carpark on the intersection of Main St and Front St. I needn't have bothered. Street parking is free for up to two hours in Tupelo. Right opposite the carpark I found the Tupelo Hardware Co, where Elvis' mother bought him his first guitar. It was open, about the only place that was on Main St. I keep forgetting the 10 am normal opening time here. I wandered inside to find a display of guitars and a cutout of Elvis on the balcony.
Next we wandered up and down Main St looking for, and photographing, the various murals and guitar sculptures on the street.
In front of City Hall is the park where Elvis come in 5th place, and won $5, in the singing contest at the 1948 Mississippi/Alabama Fair. He returned 11 years later to perform two shows, afternoon and evening. There is a bronze statue to commemorate the events.
Karen had only bought two or three tops with her to wear, intending to buy some tee shirts in Houston. But she had not been able to find many suitable ones. She was still looking and asked if there was a Walmart nearby. There was, we had plenty of time, so off we drove. After 30 minutes shopping, and another US$140 on my credit card, we were driving out of the carpark when I saw the Tupelo National battlefield. I was intending to visit in the afternoon, but we were there now so I went around the block, found a car park and walked over. Unlike other battlefields we have visited this one was a memorial park, not on the actual site. Still it was educational.
Last time we had visited Elvis' birthplace in the rain and before it was open to the public for viewing. This time we toured the museum and walked through the house. I would have liked to experience a church service at the Assembly of God church that had been moved onto the site when a new church was built, but he next available service was at 1 pm. And Karen was wanting lunch.
On the way back to the car I saw something that made me laugh. Our patrol cars are GM, under the Australian Holden brand which has recently become defunct. In the carpark was an Equinox SUV, almost the same colour as our patrol Equinox, but with the Chevy badge on the front. I took a few photos which I messaged to my brother.
Karen had mentioned on the way here that we really should be eating a bit more healthier. I suggested a sandwich and found a Subway nearby.
I was pleased to see my favourite filling on the menu, sweet onion teriyaki chicken. Karen ordered the rotisserie chicken filling. They tasted pretty good too, except the sweet onion dressing here is different from home, a bit sharp on the taste buds.
From lunch we drove to, and through, the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo. Karen loves zoos and animals and I am always up to visit one. I felt a bit sad that most of the animals came running when they saw our car, expecting to be fed. We had not purchased any food pellets ourselves and I felt it was a pity these animals were so reliant on humans they virtually had to beg for food.
The buffalo, of course didn't approach for food, and when we saw the horns on one buffalo, that gave the Texas Longhorns in the park a run for their money in the horn growing stakes, we were glad they were aloof herbivores.
Karen was ready for a break. So was I. We headed back to our hotel for a couple of hours and I lay down on the bed and dozed for a good portion of that time.
By 5 pm we were ready for dinner. We had foregone our Cracker Barrel dinner earlier, and we had seen an outlet the previous evening. I was looking forward to a roast pork chop, like the one I enjoyed in Nashville, but when we arrived their was no pork chop on the menu. It was almost exclusively chicken, which is Karen's favourite meal. She chose the chicken with slaw and mashed garlic potatoes, with cheese and bacon, I decided in the sampler, chicken dumpling, meat loaf and country ham with the same two sides plus baby carrots..
When the meal arrived we both knew we would need takeout boxes, especially if we wanted desert. The meal was delicious, especially my meatloaf. And while certainly cost more that I remembered Cracker Barrel costing, it has been four years.
Christmas decorations were for sale in the shop, so while I paid the bill Karen went looking. If there had been room in our baggage for some of the decorations I am sure she would have bought some.
Back at the hotel we settled in. I was quite tired so despite the possible consequences (waking up too early again), I went to sleep by 9 pm.
Surprisingly enough I slept right through until 5:30 Saturday. Either I was more tired than I thought or I am finally over jet lag. We'll see.
Shower, dress, pack the car and breakfast. We were going to reheat our takeout from the night before but here was no plate in the microwave to heat it, so it was waffles again then on the road a little before 8.30, heading for Chattanooga, 245 miles and four hours, so iMaps told me, away. Plus loosing an hour by changing to eastern time from central.
We followed the same route we took four years ago, but in reverse. HW 25 to Tremont, HW23/76 to the Alabama border where it becomes HW19 to Red Bay then HW24 to Decatur. This part of the trip was like Thursday's, smaller rural roads with much to see.
Just after switching to HW72 at Decatur we saw a motorcycle crash with the Decatur fire dept hosing off an obviously burnt out bike. I-565 to Huntsville then we pulled off at a roadside gas station. We didn't need gas but we filled up anyway ($18) and also filled up with coffee and replenished our road snacks.
As we left Karen commented that she wouldn't mind Subway again for lunch, if I could find one about midday. Nearly an hour later I felt a need to go to the bathroom approaching. I was looking for a rest stop when I saw an information sign for the next exit, including a Subway outlet. Off the interstate, park, use the bathroom and get our lunch, then back on the road again.
Along I-565 to the Tennessee border then to Kimball before chaining onto I-24 for the run into Chattanooga, including the short dip into Georgia. Four states and a lost hour in just over 4 1/2 hours driving.
Once in Chattanooga we drove past Exile off Main St, a small bar that has a row of 11 Father Christmas's on the roof. We took a photo (or three, never sure how many Karen takes) then headed for our hotel, about 20 minutes out of the centre of Chattanooga.
Settled into our room (another Wingate by Wyndham) we left to head back into the city again. I had seen The Passage water feature, simulating the Trail of Tears, online a few weeks ago and thought it would make a good place to visit. iMaps took us to where it should be, opposite the aquarium. I found a car park on Riverfront Parkway and walked back. I couldn't find it.
I tried another iMaps search and was informed I should walk back to Riverfront Parkway and about 150 yards further along. I was taken to a carpark.
I crossed Riverfront Parkway and googled the address, which came up with photos alongside a bridge over the river. I looked around the nearest bridge, nothing. Walked back to where The Passage is marked on iMaps, the door to a building, closed and locked.
Giving up and returning to the car I crossed Riverfront Parkway again to get a photo of a marker. That's when, just in front of our car, I saw the light brown blocks of the wall I had seen on the video. Also, there was another bridge across the river. Yep, I found it, right alongside the aquarium.
Some photos and back into the car for the run to the Choo Choo Hotel. We had been there last time and I had photos, but they were showing Christmas decorations and I wanted some without the tinsel. Walking in a side entrance I was surprised to see a sign for Songbirds Guitar Museum showing it was open. The last time I checked it had not opened after the Covid shutdown and was permanently closed. Songbirds closed at 6 pm and it was now 5.40. No time to go through.
Back in the car again we returned to our hotel room for the evening. A quiet night in, reading and watching TV.
Yesterday I was again awake early. After trying, and failing, to get back to sleep I got up at 4:30 and started writing again. I am finding it much easier to write up each days travels as soon as I can, than I found it relying on on-line posts and memories several months later.
After and hour on the laptop I went back to bed and dozed until just before 7 am when I woke up still feeling groggy. Not that it mattered, it was gong to be an easy day.
After breakfast (basic. Muffins, sausage, egg and cheese croissant, cereal or waffles) we relaxed in our room until 9 am when we went out to explore.
I had found a carpark on the intersection of Main St and Front St. I needn't have bothered. Street parking is free for up to two hours in Tupelo. Right opposite the carpark I found the Tupelo Hardware Co, where Elvis' mother bought him his first guitar. It was open, about the only place that was on Main St. I keep forgetting the 10 am normal opening time here. I wandered inside to find a display of guitars and a cutout of Elvis on the balcony.
Next we wandered up and down Main St looking for, and photographing, the various murals and guitar sculptures on the street.
In front of City Hall is the park where Elvis come in 5th place, and won $5, in the singing contest at the 1948 Mississippi/Alabama Fair. He returned 11 years later to perform two shows, afternoon and evening. There is a bronze statue to commemorate the events.
Karen had only bought two or three tops with her to wear, intending to buy some tee shirts in Houston. But she had not been able to find many suitable ones. She was still looking and asked if there was a Walmart nearby. There was, we had plenty of time, so off we drove. After 30 minutes shopping, and another US$140 on my credit card
, we were driving out of the carpark when I saw the Tupelo National battlefield. I was intending to visit in the afternoon, but we were there now so I went around the block, found a car park and walked over. Unlike other battlefields we have visited this one was a memorial park, not on the actual site. Still it was educational.Last time we had visited Elvis' birthplace in the rain and before it was open to the public for viewing. This time we toured the museum and walked through the house. I would have liked to experience a church service at the Assembly of God church that had been moved onto the site when a new church was built, but he next available service was at 1 pm. And Karen was wanting lunch.
On the way back to the car I saw something that made me laugh. Our patrol cars are GM, under the Australian Holden brand which has recently become defunct. In the carpark was an Equinox SUV, almost the same colour as our patrol Equinox, but with the Chevy badge on the front. I took a few photos which I messaged to my brother.
Karen had mentioned on the way here that we really should be eating a bit more healthier. I suggested a sandwich and found a Subway nearby.
I was pleased to see my favourite filling on the menu, sweet onion teriyaki chicken. Karen ordered the rotisserie chicken filling. They tasted pretty good too, except the sweet onion dressing here is different from home, a bit sharp on the taste buds.
From lunch we drove to, and through, the Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo. Karen loves zoos and animals and I am always up to visit one. I felt a bit sad that most of the animals came running when they saw our car, expecting to be fed. We had not purchased any food pellets ourselves and I felt it was a pity these animals were so reliant on humans they virtually had to beg for food.
The buffalo, of course didn't approach for food, and when we saw the horns on one buffalo, that gave the Texas Longhorns in the park a run for their money in the horn growing stakes, we were glad they were aloof herbivores.
Karen was ready for a break. So was I. We headed back to our hotel for a couple of hours and I lay down on the bed and dozed for a good portion of that time.
By 5 pm we were ready for dinner. We had foregone our Cracker Barrel dinner earlier, and we had seen an outlet the previous evening. I was looking forward to a roast pork chop, like the one I enjoyed in Nashville, but when we arrived their was no pork chop on the menu. It was almost exclusively chicken, which is Karen's favourite meal. She chose the chicken with slaw and mashed garlic potatoes, with cheese and bacon, I decided in the sampler, chicken dumpling, meat loaf and country ham with the same two sides plus baby carrots..
When the meal arrived we both knew we would need takeout boxes, especially if we wanted desert. The meal was delicious, especially my meatloaf. And while certainly cost more that I remembered Cracker Barrel costing, it has been four years.
Christmas decorations were for sale in the shop, so while I paid the bill Karen went looking. If there had been room in our baggage for some of the decorations I am sure she would have bought some.
Back at the hotel we settled in. I was quite tired so despite the possible consequences (waking up too early again), I went to sleep by 9 pm.
Surprisingly enough I slept right through until 5:30 Saturday. Either I was more tired than I thought or I am finally over jet lag. We'll see.
Shower, dress, pack the car and breakfast. We were going to reheat our takeout from the night before but here was no plate in the microwave to heat it, so it was waffles again then on the road a little before 8.30, heading for Chattanooga, 245 miles and four hours, so iMaps told me, away. Plus loosing an hour by changing to eastern time from central.
We followed the same route we took four years ago, but in reverse. HW 25 to Tremont, HW23/76 to the Alabama border where it becomes HW19 to Red Bay then HW24 to Decatur. This part of the trip was like Thursday's, smaller rural roads with much to see.
Just after switching to HW72 at Decatur we saw a motorcycle crash with the Decatur fire dept hosing off an obviously burnt out bike. I-565 to Huntsville then we pulled off at a roadside gas station. We didn't need gas but we filled up anyway ($18) and also filled up with coffee and replenished our road snacks.
As we left Karen commented that she wouldn't mind Subway again for lunch, if I could find one about midday. Nearly an hour later I felt a need to go to the bathroom approaching. I was looking for a rest stop when I saw an information sign for the next exit, including a Subway outlet. Off the interstate, park, use the bathroom and get our lunch, then back on the road again.
Along I-565 to the Tennessee border then to Kimball before chaining onto I-24 for the run into Chattanooga, including the short dip into Georgia. Four states and a lost hour in just over 4 1/2 hours driving.
Once in Chattanooga we drove past Exile off Main St, a small bar that has a row of 11 Father Christmas's on the roof. We took a photo (or three, never sure how many Karen takes) then headed for our hotel, about 20 minutes out of the centre of Chattanooga.
Settled into our room (another Wingate by Wyndham) we left to head back into the city again. I had seen The Passage water feature, simulating the Trail of Tears, online a few weeks ago and thought it would make a good place to visit. iMaps took us to where it should be, opposite the aquarium. I found a car park on Riverfront Parkway and walked back. I couldn't find it.
I tried another iMaps search and was informed I should walk back to Riverfront Parkway and about 150 yards further along. I was taken to a carpark.
I crossed Riverfront Parkway and googled the address, which came up with photos alongside a bridge over the river. I looked around the nearest bridge, nothing. Walked back to where The Passage is marked on iMaps, the door to a building, closed and locked.
Giving up and returning to the car I crossed Riverfront Parkway again to get a photo of a marker. That's when, just in front of our car, I saw the light brown blocks of the wall I had seen on the video. Also, there was another bridge across the river. Yep, I found it, right alongside the aquarium.
Some photos and back into the car for the run to the Choo Choo Hotel. We had been there last time and I had photos, but they were showing Christmas decorations and I wanted some without the tinsel. Walking in a side entrance I was surprised to see a sign for Songbirds Guitar Museum showing it was open. The last time I checked it had not opened after the Covid shutdown and was permanently closed. Songbirds closed at 6 pm and it was now 5.40. No time to go through.
Back in the car again we returned to our hotel room for the evening. A quiet night in, reading and watching TV.
Attachments
Last edited:
