Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky

We only made it into Kentucky for 2 days; just to visit Mammoth Cave National Park.  (It happened to be National Park Week, so our tour was free!**  Yeehaw!)

 It was my first visit into a cave and it was far more fascinating than I anticipated.  Our guide was excellent, which probably helped, and I loved the stories he told.  I didn't realize it would be so cold...not so fun for the kids.  But I really loved learning about the various people who had explored the cave thousands of years ago.  And how items people brought into the cave were preserved for that long: the minerals, air, temperature, etc. created a perfect environment so things didn't decay.

 And we had to have breakfast at the Waffle House at least once...a Southern icon.  And, yes, Simon did eat the butter...

**It should be noted that we never paid to get into a National Park our entire trip.  We didn't plan it this way and kept thinking we should just buy the $80 pass that gets you into all the National Parks.  But we just got fortunate that the ones we decided to go to didn't charge.  Did you know that 268 of the 401 National Parks (historical sites, parkways, etc.) are always free?  Pretty cool!

Nashville, Tennessee

If you can't play guitar and sing in Nashville, you might as well just be a construction worker.~Patrick Carney 

The Natchez Trace Parkway ended just outside of Nashville, TN.  We found ourselves back in the city and it was a great city to be in.  It didn't feel large or grand in any way.  I didn't know that Nashville was the place to be for country music.  That's where stars are born and many of them live there.

I am was not that fond of country music.  But something happened in Nashville.  I'm not sure what it was, but the music became fun, interesting, and not too twangy.  The music enhanced our experience; it felt like it belonged in that beautiful part of the country.  It's kind of like eating Thai food in Thailand (which I hope to do someday), it's more authentic, a whole culture experience.

We spent 4 days in Nashville, visited friends, ate good barbecue, listened to lots of music and had a great time.

I fell in love with Nashville; a "big" city with a small town feel.

The Parthenon
You know what they say, "If you can't go to Greece, go to Nashville??"

Hatch Show Print
They make really cool posters.

The street music was awesome.

Brian was able to catch a show at the Grand Ole Opry.

Adventure Science Center

Isabella became instand friends with Ella (my friend's daughter).  And Oliver knows how to make the girls giggle.

Natchez Trace Parkway

We enjoyed our mellow time at Allen Acres in Louisiana so much we decided it was time to spend more time out of cities and in the beautiful American countryside.   While planning Brian learned about the Natchez Trace Parkway, a National Parkway, that ran 444 miles from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN.  The original Natchez Trace was a foot path used for travelers in the 1800s.  Mostly shipmen who took goods down the Mississippi River by boat and then walked back up north along the Trace.

Most parts of the Trace were remote and rural so lodging would be very limited.  We made a spontaneous, risky decision and decided to start camping.  Fortunately, Walmart carries an enormous amount of camping supplies.  And, fortunately, Walmart is everywhere (more so down here in the south, or so it seems).  I can't say I'm a big fan of Walmart, but I am impressed that we could get outfitted with everything we wanted in one trip to one store.  We spent roughly $500 and started camping that same day.  

We loved camping in Mississippi.  I was really, really impressed with their state parks: low cost, clean, bathrooms, etc.  We are not avid campers, but we loved exploring the Natchez Trace Parkway this way.  The drive up the Trace took us 7 days; we went slow, stopped frequently and learned about the history in the area.  The weather was beautiful, the drive was relaxing and educational.

Warning: this post has a ton of awesome photos.  :)  

We jerry-rigged a roof bag to accomodate the camping supplies.

First stop, we were still in LA, near Alexandria

Love this girl!

Natchez, MS

Natchez State Park

Emerald Mound 

One of our favorite stops along the Trace was Mount Locust.  The house and history were interesting  the ranger was a dynamic teacher, and it was beautiful.  The kids enjoyed working on and receiving their junior ranger badges.

P.S. All the rangers we have met at the national parks have been amazing, sweet, intelligent people who love their job.  When I work again I want to be a national park ranger.

One night we camped in a state park that was located in the middle of Jackson, MS.  It felt amazingly rural for being in the middle of an urban metropolis.

LeFleurs Bluff in Jackson, MS

Cypress Swamp

Near French Camp

A section of the original Natchez Trace.

For $20 we picked up a youth tent for Isabella that we set up right next to ours.  I was amazed that she stayed in it all night long.  She loves having a little tiny space all her own.  (Her brothers can only go in as invited.)  It made a huge difference in her happiness/pleasantness and bedtime became much easier.

She can stay up late and read or write.  A privilege she's never had since she always has to share a space with her brothers.

Happy camper!

Sunrise at Tishomingo State Park, Mississippi

This site came with a "pet" goose.  A kind, yet very persistant animal who happened to appear within seconds of us pulling out any food at any moment.

Morning cuddles are my favorite

The Tennessee countryside.  I fell in love with the beautiful, green hills.

Natchez Parkway Bridge was our last stop before Nashville.
Isabella had been entertaining herself with my lipstick in the car.

New Orleans

We had a great time in New Orleans.  My first impression was that it was bigger, dirtier, and stinkier than I had expectated.  And I worried that my expectations had been too unrealistic to enjoy what the city had to offer.  Friday evening we wandered a bit around the French Quarter and landed for a bite at Cafe Beignet and listened to some live Jazz.  That's when I began to like the place.  As soon as we woke up Saturday morning and started walking around the French Quarter I fell in love.  All that street music!    Every block was some kind of performance: magic, stunts, juggling, dancing.  But I loved the music: cajun, creole, jazz, etc.

We loved the French Quarter!  We also loved Audubon Park, the Garden District, making new friends at church, seeing the Mississippi (and learning more about its importance), trying gumbo and jambalaya, driving down Magazine Street.  And, I finally learned the difference between a Cajun and a Creole!  (hint: the definition of a creole is not definitive...) I would love to go back to New Orleans.

I never made the connection until I saw this.  My two boys combined make the "one of the most influential politicians in the history of the Americas"...almost.  :)  Although I'm still not quite sure why there is a statue of Simon Bolivar in the middle of New Orleans.

So many wedding bands/parades/celebrations.  Seriously fun!

Walking along the foggy Mississippi.

St. Luis Cathedral

A muffuletta sandwich at Central Grocery

Fog rolling in off the Mississippi.

Making friends.

He cut himself shaving...they grow up so fast.

The kids napped in the car and we enjoyed some sweet sunshine and green grass at Audubon Park.

A little alone time with hot cocoa and postcard writing one morning...bliss.

There's a claw in my gumbo!  

Cooling off in Jackson Square.

He fell asleep like this during quiet time...poor tired boy!

Inside St Luis Cathedral

Sunrise on our little balcony near Bourbon Street.

Love all the balconies.

Fun at the Louisiana Children's Museum

Beads were hanging from most of the trees in the Garden District.

Entertaining tired boys on a long trolley ride.

New Orleans, we will be back!