THE WEATHER CHANGES OUR PLANS

Our plan was to leave Galveston on Thursday and drive to Lafayette LA for two nights, but the weather forecast was calling for thunder storms and high wind gusts, and even the possibility of tornadoes.  With that, we decided to stay put for another day and check out the Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig Museum located in the harbor next to Fisherman's Wharf.  After the tour, we went next door for a scrumptious crab cake dinner.  From our table outside, we could watch the pelicans swoop down to grab their dinner from the water.

Keith working on the oil rig

Friday, we finally woke to warm sunshine but it was still gusty.  When you're towing a trailer, you can really feel the gusts, especially on the bridges.  I'm not thrilled about bridges on a good day, so I was a little white-knuckled till we got away from the coast. 
 


Louisiana Bayou

Travelling through the Louisiana Bayou country was much calmer.  We were disappointed that we wouldn't have the extra day to explore the Lafayette area but I had already made reservations for the next five nights at five different parks and really didn't feel like changing them.  We did, however, take advantage of the opportunity to savor some local Cajun cuisine.  I'm always ready to try something new...Keith, not so much!  I was curious about the "Cajun Boudin" on the appetizer list. Our server said that it was one of his favorites so I had to try it.  Basically, boudin is a combination of cooked rice, pork, onions, peppers and seasonings stuffed into a sausage casing.  These were shaped into balls, breaded and deep fried and very spicy. 

Ellen had suggested that we might enjoy travelling the Natchez Trace Parkway on our way back so we headed north from Lafayette.  This was our first time in Natchez, MS.  The town sits high on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River.  Prior to the Civil War, it was home to several extremely wealthy Southern planters.  Their fortunes allowed them to build huge mansions, many of which remain today.  We took a carriage ride tour downtown to see a couple of these historic homes and buildings.  I'd like to go back during their Natchez Pilgrimage Tours held in the spring and fall. 

Antebellum home



Looking across the Mississippi toward Natchez at dusk.  Tugboat, barges, paddle boat

We decided to take the Trace as far as Jackson, about 100 miles, and then hop off and head to Memphis to pick up Interstate 40 East.  The Trace was a two-lane road through woodland and meadow with no power or telephone lines and very few homes.  We actually didn't pass a lot of other traffic; more bicycles and motorcycles.  The Trace is 444 miles long and crosses three states, ending near Nashville.  The speed limit is only 50 mph and we were told that this is strictly enforced. 

The Trace (My Enchanted Forest
 

For the next five days, we'll be heading East on the interstate with overnights in Nashville and Knoxville in TN, Salem and Winchester in VA, and then HOME. 
We're still enjoying the ride but we're ready to see our family and friends again!