Heading to NOLA

A few weeks ago, we headed to NOLA to spend the weekend with our youngest daughter and her husband.  We left a day early to drive along the Gulf Coast and stay at a B&B Anneke found on line not too far from Biloxi, MS.  Our first stop was the Palace Casino and the buffet lunch.  We like this casino since it is smoke free.  As always, it was pretty good and certainly filling.

Next we stopped at the city visitor center.  We wanted to have a look at it for some time.  We usually pass by in the motorhome and there is just no parking for it nearby.  So, since this was a car trip, we took a quick look.  It turned out to be a very nice center both for information and history of the area.  Since it was Mardi Gras time, they also had some decorations to get everyone in the mood.  Well worth the stop, if you are in the area.

We then continued west and turned north in the town of Pass Cristian for a few miles to the Oak CrestMansion Inn built around 1920.  Originally built as a private home, the current owners converted it into a B&B and additionally hosts weddings.  To accommodate the wedding service several buildings have been added including a small wedding chapel.

When we arrived, we were to be the only guests for the evening and had the choice of the four bedrooms, all of which were on the second floor.  It was very nice and well maintained. We enjoyed several nice conversations with the innkeeper.  Since we were the only guests this night, the service was very personal. 

We decided we did not want to eat in a restaurant and went in search of some light fare. We found the LongBeach market and deli and decided to give it a try.  When we walked in, there was a huge beer display. They claim to have the largest cold beer selection in the state of Mississippi.  While not beer drinkers, Anneke did try several samples of the ten cold craft beers on tap. We also bought some beer we thought one of our son in laws would enjoy.  We ended up ordering a Po’boy to take back to the B&B.  We dined in the cozy dining room.  It was such a nice evening we spent an hour or so enjoying happy hour on the front portico.

The breakfast in the morning was very good.  In short, we had a great time here and enjoyed walking most of the 12 acres 

Decision Point

6 June 2017

As the Lewis and Clark expedition traveling on the Missouri River was closing in on the area now known as Great Falls, MT, they received a big surprise.  The advice and guidance of Mandan people had been invaluable to the expedition to this point.  They arrived at a point where a second river went in a different direction.  The Mandan had not mentioned any such river.  There was some discussion and disagreement on which was the true Missouri.  A wrong decision here would mean they that might be trapped on the plains for a harsh winter without proper preparations and could well mean a tragic end to the journey. 

They decided to explore both branches.  They spent over ten days exploring far and wide.  Their journals mention the lush vegetation and abundant wildlife. In the end their decision to follow the clearer river proved correct. A few days after following their chosen river, they discovered the Great Falls.

Drifting along with Lewis and Clark

5 June 17

Today we took a float trip on the Missouri River Mid Canyon section near Great Falls MT.  Very nice trip traveling where Lewis and Clark traveled so long ago.  The trip ended at a landing where Lewis and Clark spent the night twice-once up bound and then down bound a year later. We had a picnic lunch at the landing. We then headed back to the campground via the route that LC travelled in 1805 and 1806.