Nov 12 Visit to Natchez

We stop in at the Visitors Center to look around the exhibits and try out the Wi-Fi. The exhibits explained the history of the area but the Wi-Fi was a no-go. There was a unsecured access point but I couldn’t get connected. We then move to the Library. They don’t have Wi-Fi but we get on a computer to check emails. We then walked down the street to the ABM to get some cash. Low and behold, across the street is the Bass Pecan Shop, one of our targets. We load up on pecan treats and use the free Wi-Fi. I get part way through updating the blog when access just won’t pass any more data. I tried restarting the computer, disconnected & re-connected the access to no avail. I was pee eee double ess eee dee. The in-store computers carried on without a burp, even with on guy using Skype. I left in a huff.

We looked a bit more around town at some of the old houses. Impressive old architecture.

Of course, you have to take in the grand view of the Mighty Mississip itself. The river is very wide at this point, maybe a kilometer and runs quite fast. You and understand why the Indians and early settlers decided to walk back home through the woods on the Natchez Trace. No way they could have paddled upstream.

In the afternoon, we visited the Mount Locust Inn, which was one days walk from Natchez, and the first stop for travelers. This estate was originally a farm that took advantage of the opportunity to serve the travellers of the day, augmenting their farming income. The farm had up to 51 slaves working the fields and tending the owners needs. With the advent of the paddle-wheeler steam boats, the Trace became little used and the Inn operations subsided.

Mount Locust Inn

Vic & Bev walking on the original Trace.

We meet another guy, Helmut, from Ontario. After some chatting, we learn he is from Penetang and he has actually had a short chat with Dale Steffler. For those who don’t know Dale, he and his wife Jan are old boating friends on Georgian Bay. They have been travelling to Mexico for 25 years, and even got married there. Small world.

Helmut and his wife will tag along with us tomorrow on our next leg into Texas. The intended destination is just south of Huntsville TX, but we have a couple of alternate stop-overs in case we run late.