This last week we have been visiting Mary Lou's relatives. The roads are good and wide, the countryside is relaxing. We have been shown the legendary Southern hospitality by all. First was a cousin's home near Knoxville, Tennessee, a cozy log cabin on a secluded hillside. He has some classic cars. Next was a cousin in Cookeville, Tennessee. He also has a classic car. And finally several days with siblings in Huntsville, Alabama. The campground is associated with a marina on the Tennessee River. There was lots of good home cookin', and several domino sessions. There was a reunion for Mary Lou's father's side of the family. Uncle Dick, at age 96 is the last member of his generation. Reluctantly we said goodbye and headed toward home. After all, visiting relatives are like fish. After about 3 days, they begin to smell. We had no more attractions, but we did stop at the visitor's center for the Vicksburg National Military park. We have toured this park, but ML now has a 'National Park Passport' book where she can collect stamps (the kind using an ink pad) from all the National Parks. We have been to many before we had the book, so now we are trying to catch up. Anyway, Vicksburg is on a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi River and therefore a very strategic location militarily. Whoever controls the town controls the flow of river traffic. Initially the South had the city during the Civil War. The North knew if they controlled the river, it would divide the South, preventing resupply of their armies east of the Mississippi. General Grant made several attempts over several days to capture the town, but the southern general, John C. Pemberton and his army held out each time. Finally Grant decided on a 'siege', which means surrounding the town and cutting off supplies. After seven weeks, the soldiers and even the townspeople were starving and sick, so Pemberton surrendered the town. Along with Gettysburg, this was one of the most significant battles of the Civil War. I bring all this up because when we got there, they were doing a re-inactment of firing a cannon of the day. We missed the cleaning of the bore, tamping of the powder, etc., but we were there for the boom and the smoke. Because of the bridge structures over the Mississippi, it's difficult to get good pictures of the mighty river, but it's a big river. We had a nice campsite at a state park in Mississippi. And again at a Corps of Engineers park on Lake Sam Rayburn in Texas. Many of the campsites were flooded due to the high water. We are making stops in Shreveport, LA, and Jasper, TX, to visit old friends, but once again, we are coming to the end of the trail. As usual, we have experienced the great beauty of this country and stood on the hallowed ground of the great struggles of this country, the American Revolution and the Civil War. We have marveled at the great structures built by people with vision and dedication. We have been blessed with good weather and safe travels, coming through the traffic unscathed (well, we were 'scathed' once - clipping the passenger side mirror on a concrete wall going across a narrow bridge over a dam - that dam wall!).
Today we will be home, after 7 weeks, 5500 miles (not all forward progress, however), and visiting 22 states. We love living and traveling in our RV and could go on and on, but it's nice to have a home to come back to. Thanks to those who have 'traveled' with us. We hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have. We have now covered all the states (lower 48) in our RV and will have to double back on future trips, probably out west. So until next trip, stay tuned.
5 Comments
Ruby
6/23/2015 01:55:43 am
Have loved this trip. Read most postings several times and looked at pictures again and again. Thanks for letting us follow along.
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Pamela Fitzgerald
6/23/2015 01:37:44 pm
Mary Lou and Chuck.....I have loved every step, every mile you have taken on this trip. I feel like I have been right there with you each day. It has been the highlight at the end of my day each day to take a look and see where you have been and where you are going.
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jackie
6/24/2015 01:55:46 am
wow what a trip. enjoyed site seeing with you ! thanks again.
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Jim Moritz
6/24/2015 01:57:52 pm
I have thoroughly enjoyed reading these, and learning new things along with you.
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6/20/2022 10:12:25 am
Beautiful, educational, inspirational, and entertaining…what a joy! What more could we ask. Thanks for sharing!
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Who are we?Chuck and Mary Lou have been traveling in their RV since 2002 and have lately been taking longer, extended trips. This is our way to share our experiences. Trip Reports
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