Monday, June 10th Natchez and the Parkway

After altering the original travel plans, we left Alexandria La early this morning at 0730, and pulled into the Wal Mart at Natchez Mississippi at about 0930.  Dropped the car, then headed in order to:

The Louisiana Visitor Center just across the Mississippi River for my last for me Atchafalaya NHA stamp
The downtown Natchez Visitor Center for stamps for both the Natchez NHP and the Parkway
Then, two units of the Natchez NHP, the William Johnston House, and Melrose Plantation, and then we headed a few miles up the road to our campsite for the night, which is in Natchez State Park.

Had an issue driving by the very poorly signed park, and the GPS didn't have a clue where the park was, gave us directions. Then, we had to go several miles down a rural, twisty, no trucks, road until we lucked into a big industrial place out in the middle of east jipip- so I got the rig turned around, and we headed back, and wandered into the campground, which is actually fairly nice.  Got a double earful from the co-driver for our dilemma, of course. 

We've got a 51 foot pad, good 50 amp electric, water, and it surely is quiet-  We are across the bank from a big lake of some kind. 

As far as the travels, I then headed up to the Mt Locust Inn Information Center on the Natchez Trace Parkway, which was about 10 miles from the campground.  Got 4 stamps a hiking medallion, and postcards there. 

The Louisiana Welcome Center just across the river from Natchez  Got my last Atchafalaya Stamp there.  I now have 6 of the 7 locations for that NHA. 

William Johnston House unit of Natchez NHP.  Johnston was a free black. Got several hiking staff medallions here and two pins as well  

Melrose Plantation was clearly under construction, the House tour was 2 hours away, so I passed on it. 

The actual old Mt Locust Inn building on the Parkway at MM 15.5

The tiny little information center at Mt Locust Inn at MM 15.5 on the Parkway, got a hiking medallion and postcards here. 

Got back to the coach about 215 or so.  Now resting and posting.  Looking forward to a good nights sleep tonight. 

 

Tomorrow's plans are to head up the section of the Natchez Trace Parkway up to the Jackson Miss area, a ride of about 105 miles or so, and then we will stay 3 nights at Le Fleur State Park near Jackson.  Might even do a ball game.  Mississippi Braves are in Pearl, Miss.