VICKSBURG, MS

May 12, 2015

Good evening! After thinking it over, and re-thinking how we were going to get to West Monroe, LA (our next destination), we decided to head to Vicksburg, MS. We will be here 3 nights with full hook-up and a casino shuttle, which we have already used and will not use again. Our $20 is shot! That is our limit! But, we had a really good buffet there and with our "Players Card" we were able to get 2-for-1! Trust me, we are not players but having that card made us feel like we were considering it would have been $16.99 each without it!

This morning before we left Crestview, we met a couple parked at Wal-Mart, who are from the Silver Springs area. They are headed to Cody, WY to do volunteer work at Wapiti Lodge.They often park at Wal-Mart or other freebie places and have gotten used to the routine. We will try free camping along the way again but we don't think it is for us "often".

When we left Crestview, we left early, around 7:30 a.m., and were greeted with lots of fog until it mysteriously lifted as we approached the Gulf of Mexico! It was not hard to drive through but you had to be on your toes and keep a lookout.

We have to do some research, although it is too late now, but as we encountered the Wallace Tunnel as we headed into Mobile, Alabama, there were road signs stating 'no hazardous material' is allowed through the tunnel and to take a different exit. We do have propane on-board but we don't know if that is considered hazardous material to the tunnel world. We will investigate this further. We did drive through the tunnel and we didn't blow up, so it is all good.

Except for the fog, our trip here went well until we hit US 49 West through Florence, MS to I-20 until we got to the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 21-mile roadway from hell says me, "crap" says Thom! That stretch of the day's drive was nothing but bumps, bumps, and more bumps! I can seriously say that it was worse than the Al-Can Highway in places with all the frost heave. The bouncing gave me a headache and I felt trapped. There was no way to escape it. Thom drove really well considering he was driving 10 miles under the speed limits of  65 mph and then 70 mph, and he really couldn't go any slower. I said the heck with it, to go 35 mph, but you can imagine how far that idea got! LOL! The trucks and crazy people were driving as if there was a fire somewhere bouncing and bumping all the way! I guess they are used to it. We are contemplating writing a letter to the Mississippi Division of Tourism to let them know we will never, ever, ever recommend driving through Mississippi to any of our RV community of friends.

Today, as we drove through Hattiesburg, we saw a lot of United States flags flown half mast in honor of the two Mississippi police officers who were shot to death during a traffic stop. To be perfectly honest, I told Thom I was relieved that we decided to bypass Hattiesburg for Vicksburg. It was an extra 150 miles but it was worth it, to be out of that volatile area right now.

The campground we are at is the Ameristar RV Park, which is part of the Ameristar Casino, nestled along the Mighty Mississippi. We are here for 3 nights. We will be exploring the history this town is famous for and we will also take a drive on the Natchez Trace, which is supposed to be a beautiful roadway. I will also be receiving my CPAP mask from OxyPros, who is sending it overnight mail!

I can't tell you how great it is to be on the highway, even if it isn't always the best roads. It is wonderful to have the slides out tonight and with water, sewer, and electric! Even Jake and Fritz are appreciating their home on wheels this evening.

Here are a few photos. Until I blog again ...

Our lot at Wal-Mart! This was the fog at 7:30 a.m.

I must say, the folks here were really very friendly!

This is the front license plate on the couple we met who live near Silver Springs. I have to wonder if that's why they "check-in" to freebie locations often!

You know you're in good company when a Prevost spent the night at Wal-Mart with you!

Our neighbor - this darn 18-wheeler ran his generator all night long!

I-10 west in the fog this morning.

I-10 West - getting ready to enter Alabama.

Welcome to Alabama!

One of the many 18-wheelers in the Alabama Visitor's Center this morning.

Part of the cargo on the above rig.

USS Alabama. We took the kids here when they were little. I always get goosebumps when I see our mighty ships.

Should we or shouldn't we, that was the question - we did! This is the Wallace Tunnel. I just investigated and we were good! 

Welcome to Mississippi!

Now that's a watermelon!

"Dick Cheney's" portable diesel driven fire pump by Halliburton - three of these rigs were traveling together.

I have never seen so many sweet potatoes! There were farmers selling them by the bag!

A church? No ... a restaurant! 

Welcome to Vicksburg!

After a long day, we are happy to report that we are settled in with full hook-up and fellow RVers and no 18-wheelers!