4/30/2017 The TRACE

from: casarollnotes.blogspot.com

Linda and Tim Bunyan

NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY

between Nashville, Tennessee, and Natchez, Mississippi

Driving on the Natchez Trace on the Parkway for several days, Tim and I were romanced by the Natchez Trace Parkway.  The 440 miles were comfort provided by miles and miles of:
the unfolding of unusual verdant pastures, no road billboards, no multi-colored signs, no cross traffic.....truly a place to:
fall in love with carving out a place of your own.  

We came to understand those that came in the old days by walking, to make their lively-hood by bringing their goods to the marketplace south to Natchez, Mississippi.  This transformed the land into new uses.

The Trace Trail is 440 miles carved by many people and many years as they returned from the Trading Market to their northern homes along the Natchez and to Kentucky.  It demonstrates a peculiar sensation of the glory of a supreme being.

We now drive in this protected land (an oasis of wilderness in our civilization) within the National Parkway:

Parkway: 800' (feet) wide.  (440 miles long)

Sometimes there would be traffic; this was maintenance to keep the grass mowed and manicured on each side of the Parkway.

Usually, we 'owned the road'.  Well, as Federal taxpayers, we all do own this road.   To us, it is a wonder of the U.S.

....."Ya Had To Be There"

4/30/2017 Tupelo, Mississippi KING of Rock 'N Roll

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

TUPELO, Mississippi:

 THE Birthplace of The King Of Rock 'N Roll,

Elvis Presley

His childhood home shows the 1930's era.

Assembly of God congregation where Elvis first blended the Tupelo Blues with Country, Rock, and Gospel.

4/30/2017 French Camp, Mississippi

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

We departed from the 

NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY 

for a few hours to see the other side of this monumental trail.  We came upon: 

the town of French Camp serving the French Camp Academy, in town with a population of 179.  This 1885 Fine Place serves children who live in troubled households.

Here is Royal Crown Cola convenience stop to get a soda pop.

Double Blessings thrift shop for children to receive clothes.

French Camp  Academy operates several businesses and is an interdenominational Christian  church serving the community since a group of Scotch-Irish Christians, under the area Presbyterian Church, established the Institute for girls and boys in 1885

4/29/2017 Natchez Trace Parkway: GOD Country in the U.S. National Park: Natchez Trace Parkway

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY (U.S. National Park Service)

Natchez, Mississippi @ Natchez State Park 4/29-4/30
We left Ponchatrain Landing and Larry and Karen in New Orleans this morning to reach the Natchez Trace Parkway that begins just north of Baton Rouge, this road is a 444-miles recreational road and scenic drive that has been preserved through three states: (Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee). 



 

We began this historic trail with delight, for an over-night in the Natchez State Park, Mississippi.  As weather station broadcast predicted, it was a day of rain and a night filled with thunder and lightning.  
Woodstock, the kitty cat was on alert with his eyes wide open.  It was a bit scary hearing the crackle of lightning and the thunder sound throughout the forest.  

We woke to lost power and pouring rain which Tim had to endure THE STORM !!!

Tim packed up the travel trailer and we set off on the
travel corridor used by American Indians, “Kaintucks”, European settlers, slave traders, and soldiers.

The storm and tornado winds from the night wreaked havoc in this National Park.  The road was littered with branches from tornado winds that blew through.  Remains of splintered forest trees blocked the road to all modern-day pioneers!

Much as our forefathers, we had to make our own way.  
Tim, and others on the parkway, had to clear the road, as the early settlers did 
to utilize this trail.
Tim used his ax and began hacking to remove the limbs from large tree trunks.  

A young man offered his 4-wheel drive truck to move trees from the roadway so that we all could pass.   He also had chains that Tim wrapped around the trees to drag off the roadway. 

Finally, a local arrived with a power chain saw. 
 In a short buzz, we were able to move on through the:
 440 miles Natchez Trace Parkway Travel Tour drive. 

4/24/2017 Sights of New Orleans

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

SOME of the sights of New Orleans
  JACKSON SQUARE:  His equestrian statue in his eponymous Jackson Square -- the horse rearing up, the general doffing his hat to a grateful city with the St. Louis Cathedral in the background!

Mississippi PORT

Tim with his 'Texas' hat on at Jackson Square Park in New Orleans!

ST CHARLES StreetCar

 The OREGON O's"...
..Center Placement!
Larry & Karen are huge Oregon O fans! 
 They've got the
 Team Spirit!!

FRENCH QUARTER BY DAY

Plaza Players - New Orleans.  Working for a living--same start as American Musician Mr. Jimmy Buffett.

Off-beat part of town at the Spotted Cat with talented musician.

TOAST to Napoleon at the Napoleon House Bar & Cafe - French Quarter, Chartres Street.  Yes, Napoleon was here.

4/23/17 New Orleans

From: casarollnotes.blogspot.com 

Tim and Linda Bunyan

It was fun to party with Karen and Larry, they met up with us at Pontchartrain RV Resort.  
We danced into the midnight hours in the French Quarter.    
   The best bar is John Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop.  

This tiny square corner building is still serving drinks since 1700!  Awesome, cozy, and a piano bar is in the back. 

ON TOUR: Many buildings we overlooked suddenly became visible as we toured the streets with a professional discovery guide.  

Gas lamps are handcrafted in the French Quarter and purchased by many U.S. cities to light their historic districts.  You will find them in the Gaslamp district in San Diego, California!

This is part of the discovery of travel freedom.  We chose to seek performances in small, out of the way venues as it was the week prior to Jazz Festival.  Many artists were arriving in New Orleans and gathering with other musicians in anticipation.  



We enjoyed Tab Benoit, the voice of the wetlands festival at the historic
Rock 'n' Bowl, one of the best places to hear live music.  Also, there is bowling going on there too!   

Chandelier over the bar next to the bowling lanes.

We are in our Happy Place! 
 Listening to live New Orleans Jazz Bands.......in a bowling alley bar!