Natchitoches to Natchez

We actually left early, about 6:30AM. Enjoyed the free breakfast at the Super 8. Once again, you get what you pay for... We took state road 84 completely avoiding interstates. This seems to be a poor area with a lot of dairy farming and forestry. We stopped at a small town gas station for some Gatorade, and as always so far, people have been as friendly as can be.

Today we rode about 260 miles

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We crossed the Mississippi at about 9:30AM. Our hotel, the Isle of Capri casino was kind enough to let us check in early. Not a Vegas casino, but for $49 a night, not bad at all.

We checked out the very nice Visitor Center across the street, and set off for a ride on the famous Natchez Trace. It was first mentioned in 1733 by the French who had dicovered that the Natchez, Choctaw, and Chickasaw Indians had a system of trails that traced the Mississippi river. It was later used by farmers from Ohio Valley that loaded their crops on wooden flat-bottom boat and went as far down the river as New Orleans. They sold their boats for the lumber and rode horseback or walked back following the Natchez trace.

Riding the trace

We visited one of several Indian mounts along the trace that the Indians build over 100's of years. It gave them an elevated vantage point to warship and dominate the area.

Later in the afternoon we went on a city tour. Since we were the only guests the driver choose to take us in a limo instead of the bus. You should have seen Quintens smile!

The number of homes from the 17 and 18 hundreds in immaculate condition is amazing. And there are just as many waiting to be bought and renovated. We will tour some of the homes tomorrow

We just had dinner across from the river boat casino about a mile from the hotel We could not get on the boat because of Quinten's age.