Natchez Trace 1

After an a la carte breakfast of eggs and excellent grits we drive two hours northwest to Natchez Mississippi to start our journey up the Natchez Trace Parkway. Destination Nashville Tennessee.

Natchez was a surprise. A really lovely and beautifully kept town nestled along the Mississippi. Took some shots at the town park overlooking the river before enjoying lunch at a local restaurant.

We drive another three hours dawdling northeast up the Trace to Jackson. The Trace is a beautiful scenic two lane road unspoiled and meticulously maintained.
Another great example of a project completed by Roosevelt's CCC back in the 1930's.

We decide to stop for the day in Jackson and check into a Best Western to catch part of Tiger's Friday round at The Masters.

Stormy Jazz

Another day if exploring the French Quarter and the wonderful cuisine.

Got hammered by a good thunderstorm for about 50 minutes around noon. Pretty exciting. Unfortunately the storm and lingering rain pretty much killed the festival scheduled for today. Too bad. The locals were really into it.

Settled in at the Kerry Pub at 4pm for an early evening of quiet jazz only to discover that the artist we came to see was rescheduled for another day.

We think an early night in preparation for our farewells to Larry and an early departure for our trip back north. First stop either Natchez or Jackson Louisiana.

Plantation Oak Alley, Jackson Square and more

Got up early and drove to Kenner to pick up Larry at his son's home. Continued westward 40 miles to the plantation Oak Alley on the west bank of the Mississippi River. Larry had been there on an earlier trip and he said it was lovely.

He wasn't kidding. Beautifully maintained and restored property. Colossal three hundred year old Live Oaks line the long entrance to the main plantation house. Had a pleasent tour of the main house then returned to New Orleans.

Walked the French Quarter til 3 before stopping at Cafe Pontalba in Jackson Square for some good Cajun food.

Retrieved the car and took a run to the ninth ward to see how recovery efforts had restored much of what hurricane Katrina had done in August of 2005. Looked pretty good considering the damage.

Returned to the French Quarter for some more exploring and to sip a bit of the grape.

Gordon bailed early with food poisoning (?). Charles and Larry partied at the Kerry Pub until late.

Big festival starts here tomorrow. Should be nuts with crowds, jazz and booze.

The French Quarter - New Orleans

Quick run from Biloxi to New Orleans. Our hotel Chateau Lomyole staff were most gracious and very kind to check us in at 10am with no fuss.

Spent the day and evening walking and photographing with an occasional stop for an excellent snack.

Our friend Larry called to say he had arrived at his son's place just outside New Orleans. We'll connect tomorrow morning and spend a couple of days catching up.