New Orleans, LA – Mile Marker 2,210 1

Natchez to New Orleans

Not a very long drive today – just on 3 hours and we spent some time this morning around Natchez looking at some of the Antebellum homes.  The place we stayed, Twin Oaks, is owned by a lady chef, Regina Charboneau, who is actually 7th generation Natchezian. The house is not as grand as some but very nice just the same.

Dunleith

We had breakfast across the road at Dunleith which is a much grander home – just Adrienne and I as Liam was looking for an extra half hour in bed. And it was just the 2 of us as we had the place to ourselves. We were the only “slaves” at Twin Oaks and there did not seem to be many staying at Dunleith either.

Before we left, Regina gave us a tour of the main house – downstairs anyway.  They had restored one room back to its basic original period condition (basic brick walls) but decorated the rest of the house to their own style which was very tastefully done for an old house. With the high ceilings and big windows, it was a very open home and a very enjoyable tour.

Twin Oaks

We left and went into Natchez town and did the tourist driving tour around the streets.  There are many grand houses and many more lovely homes – we passed a large very authentic looking period home for sale – looked a bargain at US$319,000.

Riverboat on the Mississippi

According to our hosts, Natchez is not a very well known place, even amongst Americans and they were keen to know why we had chosen to stay there. Apparently, in the boom times, Natchez had more millionaires per head of population than anywhere is the US.

It was then down to the riverfront and the mighty Mississippi to the sounds on my CD of Paul Robeson and “Ole Man River”. The river is wide and just across the river is Louisiana.

Melrose

Last stop in Natchez was a National Parks home called Melrose. Unfortunately the outside is being restored so it was a bit of a mess but with the grounds and the out buildings you could get the feel of the era.

Our tour complete, we headed back onto US 61 for a short way before heading across country to I 55 and our trip into New Orleans.

The interstate is pretty much like most others except for about the last 20 miles or so which is all on pilons – both directions – first across vast swamp country (complete with the home of the “swamp people” along the canals !) and then across Lake Pontchartrain into New Orleans.
You can understand how easily it floods having seen this.  The road must have been an interesting exercise to build.

Into New Orleans and we headed straight to the National WWII Museum.

It was originally dedicated to D Day but has been expanded and is being expanded further still – it will be significantly bigger than the War Memorial in Canberra when it is complete.

Our Hotel balcony, French Quarter, New Orleans

We looked first at a few or the exhibits as they cover the entry of the US into the war after Pearl Harbour, through D Day and onto the bombing of Japan.

They also have a 4D movie called “Beyond All Boundaries” which is a bit of a Hollywood style depiction of the US efforts. Tom Hanks narrates it. A bit “gung-ho American” but enjoyable just the same with your seat shuddering from bombs going off and so on.  We had our lunch here at a fairly fancy cafe – a few military types around in dress uniforms as I think there are function rooms and an auditorium in the building and there seemed to be meetings or presentations going on.

After this we headed to our hotel in the middle of the French Quarter. It is very nice – and we have 2 nights here and it’s “all go” around here ! In these parts “shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that’s about it.” (thanks Bubba) – so I think it’s off to Bubba Gump’s for dinner tonight !
Tomorrow we explore New Orleans, Y’all enjoy the rest of your day !