3. Mississippi and Louisiana

First stop in MS was Biloxi, on the Gulf Coast and home to 10 casinos. Stayed for 3 nights, and used the motor scooter for the first time. Saw Jefferson Davis's retirement home, drove along the beach with the scooter, and visited all 10 casinos.

Beauvoir - Jefferson Davis home

One of the Casinos

 Casino directions to Parking Lot and to Gambling

 

Drove two hours North to Hattiesburg, where I toured a military reserve museum. Drove another two hours North to Jackson, the capital of MS. Spent two nights at a state park in the city. It rained both days so only saw the Agricultural museum and the old capitol building. The campground in the state park was nice, and my site was next to a lake.

West one hour to Vicksburg, on the Mississippi River. Road my bicycle through the city, saw a riverboat, and the next day, visited the National Historic Military Park, site of one of the major battles of the Civil War.

That afternoon, drove about an hour on the very scenic Natchez Trace Parkway, a 440 mile  road which follows the original trail of the settlers in the 1800's.  Stayed overnight at their campground which had no hookups, and it was cold that night.

Visited Natchez, MS, the next two days, but stayed across the river in Vidalia, Louisiana.  Rode my bicycle across the very busy bridge, toured the city, a couple of homes, and two casinos.  Was not that impressed with the city.

On to Louisiana and the cotton and sugar plantations. First stop was St. Francisville. Toured Rosedown and Oakley plantation, both state historic sites. The 30 minute guided tour at each one was informative and interesting.

Overnighted at a city RV park in Baton Rouge. Next day, toured Nottoway and Houmas House plantations, both on the river. Expected to have a nice scenic drive by the river, but the huge levee that was built on both sides in the 1930's blocked the view. Could only see the river on the second floor of the homes.

Overnighted at Poche Plantation campground on the North side of the river. Expected it to be nice but it was a dump.  Next day, finished the plantation tours by visiting Laura and Oak Alley plantations in Vacherie. The Laura tour was great, as it was given by the owner, who added personal insights. The Oak Alley tour was horrible; it was Good Friday, the crowds were large, and the tour guides acted like robots with no emotion.

Had enough of plantations so on to Houma in Southeast Louisiana, close to Bayou country.
Spent the night at an RV park in Houma, next day tried to go to a Museum but it was closed. Had some gumbo and etouffe (Cajun food) for lunch, then went on a Bayou swamp boat ride, where the guide fed some raw chicken to an alligator and two bald eagles.

Drove "The Old Spanish Trail" scenic byway (not so scenic) to Avery Island, birthplace of (and still the only place its made)::

Toured the factory, bought some souvenirs, then visited Jungle Gardens, a bird sanctuary on the island.

Then drove to two historic towns, New Iberia and St. Martinville, but was not impressed.  Spent the night nearby.  Next morning toured Vermillionville in the city of Lafayette, a recreated Acadian village.

That afternoon, drove West to Lake Charles, and stayed two nights at Sam Houston State Park, which had a nice bayou swamp.

South of Lake Charles is "The Creole Nature Trail" (also known as the Louisiana Outback), another scenic byway. It took about 5 hours to drive the 180 miles but it was worth it.  Some pics:

Next day, said goodbye to Louisiana, and drove 50 miles West on I-10 to the Great State of Texas.