Tag: Natchez

Natchez to Baton Rouge

I left Natchez to head to Baton Rouge. Baton Rouge had suffered a lot of flooding recently and I was wondering what it would be like there. The President had visited the area just a few days earlier.

Natchez

I had been to Natchez before and loved the history of the city. It one tine it was ruled by the Spanish and I passed the old Spanish Governor’s mansion.

In the 1850s, half of the millionaires in the US lived there. The result was a lot of mansions, which remained untouched during the civil war.

As I rode out of Natchez I passed many of these. I managed to get up the driveway of the Dunleith Mansion.

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According to Wikipedia, the 12 room main house sits on 40 acres along with several outbuildings including a carriage house, a dairy barn, a poultry house, and a three story brick courtyard building that historically would have housed the kitchen, laundry and slave quarters. The main house has a Greek revival design and includes 26 Tuscan columns built of brick and stucco. There are porches around the entire building on the first and second floor. The first floor includes windows similar to those in Monticello which would roll up to become doorways. The 1957 film, Raintree County was partly filmed at Dunleith, as was a portion of the 1974 version of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn by Columbia Pictures, and an episode of Promised Land for CBS television in 1998.

After leaving Natchez the ride was rather non eventful.

Baton Rouge

I arrived in Baton Rouge early. It was hot! The only sign of flood damage I saw were advertising offering assistance to flood victims.

I arrived at the Motel 6 in Port Allen that I booked at around noon. They wouldn’t let me check in until 3 pm. This was the first time I have ran into this. Usually if a room is available and clean they will allow early check in. Not this time.

I passed the time by doing laundry, watching others being told they have to wait until 3 pm., and setting up my Helinox one chair in the shade to read.

By 3 pm I got my room overlooking an adult emporium and the Crazy Horse Cabaret. I had to cover my buddy’s eyes to he wouldn’t get corrupted.

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Route for September 2, 2016

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Vicksburg, Cotton and Civil War History

Today’s ride was all about Vicksburg, cotton and civil war history.

Vicksburg

As I mentioned in a previous post from Memphis, it has been said that the Mississippi Delta starts at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis and ends at Catfish Row in Vicksburg. So off I went to see Catfish Row.

I was expecting something different than what I saw. Not knowing anything about Catfish Row, I was expecting historical fishing buildings. Instead it is a children’s park.

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Civil War

I have an interest in American Civil War history. I even have the Ken Burns Civil War DVD collection. One day I want to do a tour specifically on that. Perhaps upon my return.

The plan was to ride around the Vicksburg National Military Park. But like lots of things, it cost money to enter the park. I was just going for a ride so I didn’t spend the money. I would have to look for some free civil war history.

Vicksburg does have an amazing historical downtown area. Perhaps I should be spending more time walking up and down these streets. I always seem to be in a hurry.

Cotton Field

For some reason I had it in my mind that I would see lots of cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta. Isn’t that what the slaves did, pick cotton? That is what I picture in my mind. I guess that shows my ignorance. To date I hadn’t seen any.

I was taking a detour to Grand Gulf when all of a sudden I saw a cotton field! I quick u-turn and I was back to inspect. I wanted to go up and touch the cotton. However, there was an electric fence in between me and the cotton.

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Being the law abiding ex police officer I am, I respected the fence. I thought I may see other fields later on. NOT!

Grand Gulf

As I was riding, I saw a little blip on my map off the road named Grand Gulf. It said it was a civil war park. So I decided to see what it was.

It was a nice road and the shade from the trees was a welcome relief from the 34 degree heat.

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There was a civil war military museum there that cost money grrrr …. so I continued looking at all the free stuff and learning about the area from the signs.

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Remnants from the old civil war fort was still there, but barely visible.

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I though I would see more by climbing down the embankment. I later learned that since the war the river has changed. there is just a nice lake remaining.

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It was a nice detour. I’m glad I made it. On to Natchez.

Natchez

I made it to my final destination for the night. Excellent Inn in Natchez. Inexpensive and really good value. And the front desk clerk who greeted me was sooooo nice. Little things like that mean a lot to a solo traveler.

Route for September 1, 2016

greenville-natchez-map

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