Day 34 - Mississippi

Day 34

November 14

Columbus, MS

Dear Miss Smith,

  It was a two hour drive from the park to Columbus and by the time we got there we were all ready to get out of that RV! I don’t mind traveling much but there are times when I just have to get out and MOVE! 

             Have you ever gone shopping with ‘Cilla? I’m telling you, it can be very entertaining and fun.  The first shop we went in was the Three OaksPottery shop.  Talk about gorgeous pottery! Lydia got a beautiful vase for her mom and Natalie found a darling bowl that she’s going to put nick-nacks in.  The potter was a very nice man named Steve Garner. I’m told he learned the art at the Mississippi University for Women… though that fact does puzzle me. Why on earth did he go to the University for Women?

photo courtesy of: http://scientia1.wordpress.com/2011/10/28/salvemos-al-chocolate-pero-no-a-cualquier-precio/

      As we looked at the map of the area we decided to just walk as there were quite a few shops in that area that we wanted to see. So we parked the RV near the first shop on Main Street that we intended to visit and set out on foot. The dogs would have loved to go with us but none of us felt like staying outside at every store so Timber and Penelope were consigned to remain on guard at the RV.  Our first stop was LeGourmet Cheese. We wandered in there out of curiosity and were enthralled! If you’ve ever had gourmet cheese (which, knowing Priscilla, I’m sure you have), you’ll know what I mean! The shop had every kind of cheese you could imagine and, mixed with their delicious meats and bread, it made a superb sandwich for lunch. After our sandwiches we just had to sample their chocolates and Priscilla ended up buying a box for each of us of what ever we wanted! I chose mostly dark chocolates, of course. ;)

     Next stop was the Gumdrop Fabrics & Interiors. Take my advice, Miss Smith, and never enter a fabric store without money to spend. On this particular trip I did have some and so when I found a lovely piece of dark purple cotton I didn't hesitate to cut a length for Mom. So Mom, if you see this, be warned: you're going to have to pull out that sewing machine sometime in the near future!  I also happen to know that Natalie bought some material for her sister Shannon to use for baby clothes (she has two darling little girls). 

 Joy's Flower and Gift Shop was next so we crossed Main Street where the rest of our shopping would be.  Those flowers were so pretty! And there were quite a few pretty little gifts.  

 The next two shops are right beside each other, the first being Savvy Spaces, which includes a lot of little shops. I think my favorite was probably Fashion Accents. I found a darling green dress (which I'll probably wear as a tunic over jeans). I think, though, 'Cilla and both the girls preferred the Resident Chef shop.

 

 

The Purple Elephant was practically next door. I actually didn't get anything there but Priscilla added to her hat collection.  

Lady Diane Hat

 

  By this time we were getting kind of tired but there were two more stores that we wanted to go to so we strolled down to 5th street to Beard's Antiquities.  I love antique stores! I've now added a new tea cup and saucer to my growing collection.  And 'Cilla no longer needs to worry about having to use a penny for her hat. She found a lovely mother-of-pearl hatpin and decided instantly that that would be Mississippi's contribution to her tourist hat. 

   Holly Hocks Gift Shop was the last on our list. Lydia and Natalie each bought something for their families back home and we found some little snacky things. You might be amazed at how hungry a person can get after shopping all day. 

 We're back at the RV now, which we've stopped in a park outside the city. Priscilla and the girls are at the table going over their purchases from the day while I sit on the steps outside with Timber at my feet. I hear them calling me though so I should probably end this letter. 

Sincerely, 

~Amy~

Day 33 - Mississippi

 Day 33

Nov. 13

Clarkco, MS

My Dear Miss Smith,
    I realize that I wrote a letter to you last night, but Amy said that if I would write you this evening, she would write you tomorrow.

    It has been a lovely day. We got on the road early in spite of the lateness of the preceding night. Our first stop of the day was in Biloxi to see the last home of Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States of America. The house was shrouded in a light fog when we arrived, but that quickly burned off when the sun came up a little more. We all loved the outside of the house with its pillars and high veranda. Inside was just as lovely. The house is called “Beauvoir” which is French for beautiful view because the third owner of this house loved the view of the Mississippi Sound from the front porch. I had wondered why it had that name.

    There is a statue of Jefferson Davis with his son Joseph and another boy, Jim Limber behind the house. I believe it was dedicated in 2010.

    After spending much time wandering around the gift shop, we purchased a few things and then went on our way. Each of us now has a penny with Jefferson Davis’ head on it instead of Lincoln’s. I’m contemplating the idea of attaching a pin to the back of mine and adding it to my 50-States hat. I have not decided for sure, however.


    Heading on, our next stop was just north of Lucedale. There we visited the Palestine Gardens.

Oh, Miss Smith, everyone of us enjoyed this stop immensely. The gardens are a miniature replica of the Holy Land. It is a one yard/one mile scale and we were able to see the Dead Sea, Bethlehem and Jerusalem and took a journey to Ceasarea Philippi.
Getting to see what everything looked like, the hills, the streets, the walls around the cities, all made the Bible much more real. There has been a lot of hard work put into this garden and it was well worth our visit. I’m sure we could have remained there much longer, but we had to continue our trip.

    It was several hours later before we reached Clarkco State Park where we had decided to spend the night. It is near Quitman, if you would like to find it on your map. Oh, it is a lovely place. Quiet and peaceful after the noise of the cities. There is a lake and our RV is parked under tall trees.

It wasn’t quite dark when we arrived and everyone was glad to get out of the RV. The dogs were no exception. We have been so busy in cities that this place is a delightful retreat.

    We all agreed to build a fire and roast hot dogs for supper with s’mores afterwards for dessert. It was chilly, so warm jackets were welcome. Penelope couldn’t decide if she wanted to lie down beside Lydia and Natalie or over near me. There was no indecision with Timber; he was overjoyed to be outside with Amy once more.
    Now I have retired to the RV to write as the light of the dying campfire is not bright enough to see. It was with a great deal of giggling and excitement that Amy, Natalie and Lydia came in to get warmer jackets and for Amy to get one of our lanterns. They said they were going to go for a walk with the dogs. I have no fear for them since Timber went along, and I imagine it will be a while before they come back for the novelty of such a walk in the dark with only the light of a lantern will no doubt keep them energized for some time.

    Now, Miss Smith, how are things back home? Is Bekah helping you at all? Are the dogs doing all right without me? I do hope Patches and Perky are staying out of trouble. You haven’t re-organized all my books again, have you? I know I will be gone for a year, but how I will ever find my books on my return remains to be seen. Amy tells me that Bekah had told her that for each state we visit, you post the map of it on the bulletin board and put a colored pin in each place we visit. That is a charming idea and I wish I had a place to do that here. I will just keep my notebooks going, however. I have a feeling they will be full long before we complete our trip. If that is so, I will simply mail them to you to be filed until my return and create new ones.
    But I am growing sleepy. The girls and dogs have not returned yet, but I am going to retire. I’m sure I will hear all about their adventures in the morning. Sleep well, Miss Smith.

With love,

~Priscilla

Day 32 - Mississippi - Evening

Day 32

November 12

Gulfport, Mississippi

Dear Miss Smith,
    I don’t have much time to write as it is already late and we have a busy day tomorrow; I don’t want the girls to stay up too late. It would never do to have sleepy girls.
    We just got back from the Gulfport Symphony! [Note from Miss Smith: Click on the Symphony and have your speakers on to listen to a bit of the symphony itself!] Oh, Miss Smith! It was enchanting, exquisite, delightful, soothing, invigorating, refreshing, need I say more? It was with astonishment that I learned that neither Lydia or Natalie, nor Amy, had ever been to a symphony. That was something that could not be allowed to continue, so after supper we prepared.
    I insisted that we all must wear our best, for you know, Miss Smith, that attending a symphony is a gala occasion. Amy did the girls’ hair for them and they looked quite sweet. They even delighted me by agreeing to wear hats! Now, do have no worries, I beg of you. These hats were the small ones and in no way did they obstruct the view of those sitting behind us. Amy could not be persuaded to wear a hat of any kind, so at last we departed in style for the concert hall.

    Upon arriving and entering, all three of my companions fell into an awed silence, for the grandeur of the place, the essence of past concerts that seemed to linger in the air, and the notes of instruments tuning on the stage held them in its mighty symphony grasp, nor did it leave them through the entire concert.

Ivan Zenaty - Soloist

    The soloist, Ivan Zenaty, was marvelous and you could tell playing his violin was pure joy to him. The conductor did a brilliant job. We were treated to Debussy’s Afternoon of a Faun, David Ott’s Music for the Canvas and Aram Khachaturian’s Violin Concerto in D minor. I simply cannot describe the music, Miss Smith. I get shivers up and down my spine just recalling it.
    All the way home and even now, the conversation is the music. I don’t think these girls will ever forget their night at the symphony.
    Good Night, Miss Smith, I’ll write more soon.

~Priscilla

[Note from Miss Smith: Priscilla couldn't take any pictures for you, so please stop by the web site to see pictures.]

Day 32 - Mississippi

 Day 32

Nov. 12

Gulfport, MS

Dear Miss Smith,

You know, I never thought I could get a sunburn this late in the year... but I assure it IS possible!

Today was a great day to go to ship island: sunny and surprisingly warm. Riding the ferry across we got to see dolphins. They swam right next to us! It reminded me of when I was in California several years ago and saw several dolphins just off the beach. Only this time they were a lot closer!

There weren't many swimmers there but plenty of people were around the island. We got there just a bit before lunch and so found a quiet spot on the beach to have a little picnic with sandwiches we'd brought along. After lunch we ran around on the beach. The dogs loved it! THEY didn't mind swimming even if the rest of us did. We did wade around in the water though.

Then we wandered around the island, exploring the old fort, boats, etc until about mid-afternoon when we headed back on the ferry to get ready for the symphony after supper.

Captain and crew (father and sons)

The story of our trip just wouldn't be the same without the excitement of the return trip. We were at the edge of the ferry, looking out over the water. There was a cool breeze ruffling our hair and skirts. 'Cila was afraid her hat might blow off so she took it off and held it in her hand. I think it might have been safer on her head. Just a few minutes later a larger gust of wind tore it from her hands straight into the water! I'm sure you can imagine how shocked and horrified Priscilla was as she saw her hat floating there in the water! I must admit, I found the situation rather amusing though I couldn't think of allowing it to show!
Thankfully one of the crew members was nearby and fished the hat out of the water with a fishing pole. THAT was when I had to laugh! Imagine seeing that turquoise hat hanging on the end of a fishign line! Pretty fancy fish, I'd say. Thankfully it was relatively unharmed. It was drenched of course but Priscilla has it nearly back to normal by now.

We had supper and then headed to the Symphony . Priscilla and I enjoyed it very much but the girls were so exhausted after the long day on the beach that they were asleep long before it was over. At last we got them back to the RV and now they're fast asleep in bed and I feel like I'm about to be asleep too so I should probably close this before I can't do anymore at all tonight.

Sincerely,
Amy

Day 32 - Mississippi - Postcard

Day 32

Dear Miss Smith,
    I had so much fun in Gulfport Mississippi. On the boat ride to Ship Island I saw dolphins. I wanted to get in and swim with them but for one, I couldn't just jump off the boat and for two, I would probably scare the dolphins away in the process of jumping off the boat. When we got there, Lydia and I picked purple flowers and put them in our hair. Then we raced along the seashore and after that we collected seashells. We picked up a seashell for you; can't wait to see you.

Love,

Natalie

Day 31 - Mississippi

Day 31

Nov. 11

Gulfport, Mississippi

My Dearest Miss Smith,
    While I’m writing to you from Gulfport, we spent the day in Natchez.

It is a fascinating city established in 1716 as a French fort. Later, during the 1790s, the Spanish laid it out as a new town. The city was the site of the first Mississippi capital when, in 1817, Mississippi was admitted to the United States. One thing that I felt was quite interesting was that it was not a place of many battles during the Civil War thus leaving more than six hundred antebellum mansions and buildings for the enjoyment of many generations.

    In the morning, the four of us visited the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians. Visiting the museum and the reconstructed home of a Natchez Indian was fascinating, but we didn’t linger long as there were other things to occupy our time.

    After stopping for lunch, we took the Antebellum Mansions tour. Though we were not able to visit all the houses that are in the Natchez Pilgrimage Tour, we were able to visit three of them. It was difficult to decide which ones, but at last we settled on Longwood, Rosalie, and House on Ellicott Hill. They were quite intriguing; each with a unique history of its own.

Longwood

    Can you imagine, Miss Smith, living in a six-story home where only the bottom floor was finished and decorated? That is Longwood. The reason it was never finished was the outbreak of the War Between the States which caused the workman to drop their tools and depart for home. Haller Nutt, the owner of Longwood, died a year before the War ended leaving his wife, Julia, to live in the finished first floor. The other floors, though completely finished on the outside, remain unfinished inside; a magnificent beginning, yet giving a glimpse of where time had stopped and stayed. Oh, Miss Smith, imagine a mansion six-stories high filled with rooms. Think of all the books it could have, the friends that could stay, the music rooms, the sewing rooms, the scrapbook rooms. Ah, it sounds delightful. Let me assure you though that I was not the only one thinking of uses for all those many unfinished rooms. Amy was just as imaginative and as for Lydia and Natalie, there was no limit to their ideas!

House on Ellicott Hill

    The House on Ellicott Hill, though not as unique on the outside as many of the other old homes in Natchez, had quite an interesting bit of history. It is named Ellicott Hill in honor of Andrew Ellicott who, under President George Washington’s orders, raised the American flag on that hill in defiance of the Spanish authorities. The architecture is of the West Indian Caribbean whose trade with Natchez no doubt influenced its building. It was during the Great Depression that the Garden Club of Natchez began restoring this old landmark.

Rosalie Mansion

    Our favorite home to visit was the Rosalie Mansion. It was the simple grandeur of the front, with its sweeping stairs leading up to the porch, the four white pillars, the balcony above and the red brick walls which drew us to the house. The house was named for the French Fort Rosalie that had stood on the site and had in turn, been named for the Duchess of Ponchatrain. Lydia informed me that she has told you the history of the mansion, therefore, it is up to me to tell you about the rest of it. Miss Smith, I would, if I were able to make my pen describe its loveliness; however, how does one describe rooms of such beauty and charm?

The red velvet curtains, the chandeliers, the furniture, the paintings, all speak of times long past, of those who have come and gone before us,

of meals enjoyed with the orphaned children Peter Little and his wife Eliza gathered about them,

the old fashioned beds where one might expect to sleep and dream of bygone days in the house; when children were loved and raised;

to hear their joyous laughter, their childish voices calling to one another. Ah, one can give full rein to their imagination in that wonderful old mansion.

    After our tour ended, we got out our bicycles and took the dogs for a run about the city. It was delightful though a bit chilly. After all, it is November even if we are down south.
    But I must not linger with this letter, for already darkness has settled and we are off for a new kind of adventure tomorrow. I do hope all is going well, Miss Smith, and that you are able to handle all the cares of the house. Give my love to Bekah the next time you see her, and tell Amy’s family that her wrist is like new.

Much love,

~Priscilla

Day 31 - Mississippi - Postcard 2

Day 31

Evening

Dear Miss Smith,
This afternoon we went to the Rosalie Mansion. The mansion was built by Peter Little. His grandfather, Colonel Peter Little, was a physician to George Washington, and a pallbearer at his funeral. The construction was completed in 1823; it was named Rosalie in honor of the duchess of Ponchertrain. It was a very fancy house.

Your friend,

Lydia

Day 31 - Mississippi - Postcard

Day 31

Noon

Dear Miss Smith,
This morning we came to Natchez. While here we went to some trails and learned about the Natchez Indians. Along the trails we saw a grand village of the Natchez Indians. I think my favorite was the 128-acre village. The site futures a museum and a reconstructed Indian house. I can't wait till the next stop: Rosalie Mansion.

Your loving friend,

Lydia

Day 30 - Mississippi

Day 30

November 10

Jackson, Mississippi

Dear Miss Smith,

We weren’t in too much of a rush to get out this morning, as Jackson is less than an hour from Vicksburg and the sun was out. After the day inside yesterday we were ready to get out into that sunshine. The dogs needed to get out and run off some of their energy anyway. So after breakfast we drove to a park to spend some time moving. Timber and Penelope loved it! Of course I brought Timber’s ball and Frisbees. As you probably know, whenever there is a ball around Penelope practically goes crazy until she has it to play with so she claimed that almost immediately and the girls ran around with her. I can throw a Frisbee farther than I can throw a ball so that was a better activity for Timber. Big dogs don’t do too well in cramped spaces for an extended amount of time. He loved getting to chase that around so much! Priscilla stayed near me, making some last minute plans for this week. After about half an hour or so we loaded everybody up and headed to Jackson.

Our first stop was the Eudora Welty house. She was an author from the ‘30s and 40s and had the cutest house! Perfect for a writer, I’d say. When you first walk in you see a long straight staircase in front of you, alongside the wall. I love staircases! I know some people (my mother included) don’t like having to go up and down stairs but I like them and they add a nice touch to a home. Perhaps it’s the mystery factor of not knowing what is at the top of those stairs. This staircase was simple and straight for the most part but there’s a window at the top that, on sunny days like today, gives the impression of going up into another world, brighter than this.

There were several rooms, all great for a writer.

My favorite spot was the garden outside. You know how I love anything garden- and outdoor-related. But I won’t go into profuse detail about that as I have only a short time before Priscilla comes to go to bed and then I must turn off the light.

It was getting close to lunch time so we had to figure out whether we wanted to find a restaurant in town or fix our own lunch at the RV. We ended up fixing lunch ourselves, it was just easier. We had peanut butter and honey sandwiches (growing up I always preferred honey to jelly and I have thus influenced ‘Cilla. I’m still working on Natalie and Lydia.) Then we went to a nearby ice cream shop and each got an ice cream cone.

We couldn’t possibly go through Jackson without visiting the capitol. It’s the 3^rd capitol building that they’ve had here, built in 1903 though it was redone around 1980. They do say it was kept true to the original building. The top of the dome reaches 180 feet high! One of Priscilla’s favorite parts of that stop was seeing the statue on the grounds erected in memory of Confederate women. After seeing the Governors’ Hall we went up to the 4^th floor to watch the house and senate in session. Have you ever gone in to watch what happens at the capitol? You should, it can be very interesting at times. And then at other times it can be rather boring. Today was so-so, not too boring and not extremely interesting. Pretty informative though.

Right now we’re half way to Natchez, spending the night at an RV park. Lydia and Natalie are in bed and I hear Priscilla coming so I’d better get Timber out of here so we can get to bed.

Sincerely,

~Amy~