Natchez Getaway Trip

Well, of course, when I finally strike out on my maiden voyage, a TREMENDOUS thunderstorm breaks out! And of course, I got pretty soggy getting in and out of the camper but once the clouds rolled away, I was good to go!

For more photos of what I saw at the most excellent Riverview RV Park in Vidalia, Louisiana, which is located right on the Mississippi River at the foot of the bridge, across from the Natchez Bluffs, click http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=239249&id=612625133&l=dac7286d96

After a good night's sleep in my little camper, I was ready to drive across the bridge into Natchez and take a tour of three of the antibellum mansions.

Melrose Plantation

Longwood - uncompleted and left as it was when the Civil War broke out.

And lunch at a Thai restaurant in downtown Natchez!!!!

For lots more photos of what I saw in Natchez: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240535&id=612625133&l=9084927929

That afternoon, I drove a little over an hour to Percy Quinn State Park. It is just south of McComb on I-55 and just a little ways from the Louisiana Border. This was a beautiful and well maintained park and I had soooo much fun exploring and taking bird photos.

This is my little pal who hung around my camper all morning - so much so that people thought he was my pet squirrel therefore giving me the name "The Squirrel Lady"!! Could I have been more proud!?
There were so many things to see and do here in this beautiful park!
For lots more photos: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240557&id=612625133&l=5ed5a30163

As I just love the rustic Art Deco style of CCC buildings in the State Parks, and my grandfather was in the Mississippi CCC, I decided to start taking photos of what is left of the original CCC buildings. With the passage of time, alot of the original stuff has fallen into disrepair or is being remodeled over so I thought this would be a cool endeavor.

For more photos of the CCC influence: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240599&id=612625133&l=bd67425b0a

For more photos of all the birds I saw and can now add to my Bird Photo collection:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240610&id=612625133&l=688d5d54f3

and for photos of the Little Camper that Could in action:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=240612&id=612625133&l=3104065f9a

I can't wait to take the Lil Camper out again for another adventure!

David's IronMan Triathlon in New Orleans

Had a fabulously fantastically fun time in New Orleans this past weekend and David did so well in this Ironman triathlon. For full coverage of what all happened, click this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=236849&id=612625133&l=fddb6b77d0

Next weekend: Natchez!!!!

Look what I saw in Memphis!!!!

The famous Sky Room at the top of The Peabody Hotel where swanky events were held during the 1940's, 50's and 60's. Can't you just hear the music . . .



The famous Peabody lobby fountain.





and those famous ducks!

Cool dog statues in the lobby.
And then around the corner . . .
An awesome Asian arts and antique store!!!! However, it was closed, but here is the view from the glass door!! Look at all the stuff!!! It was probably good that it was closed or I would not have had gas money for the return trip home!
Here is a close up of the stuff that is fartherest from the door!!
I was going to have some of that famous Memphis BBQ for lunch but could not resist when I saw there was a sushi bar across the street from the Peabody. Aaahh - the perfect lunch!!!

While eating lunch, I saw that the Asian and Judiac Art Museum (what a combination - the perfect museum for me!!!) was just a couple of blocks away. So I decided to visit even though it was almost time for it to close. The lady at the musuem said instead of trying to see the whole musuem in a half an hour (not do-able) why not take a look at the "sample" Asian room and the Judaic art, which was just one room and try to come back another time to see the whole thing. Works for me! and she even gave me a free drink coupon for next door as a consolation prize. So very nice!!!

Here's some of what I saw!! It is outstanding and awesome!!!!!!


Fantastically carved Mammoth Tusks!
Here's a closeup of the detail. Each tusk was just covered with intricate carvings of all kinds of things!!!!
And this is one of the "handles" holding the tusk!
and a Fish-Dragon with Monkeys

and all kinds
of other stuff!!! Just imagine what I would have seen if I had gone through the whole exhibit!!!



And then here's some of the things in the Judaic Art room:








And to top it all off . . . when I went next door to get my free Expresso to go . . . this sign was in the window!!!! so an awesome experience all away around!!

David at the Military Ball

Spring Birds - March 09

Some birds I've seen lately:

the notorious Brown-headed Cowbird is back:
this is a Blue Bird jumping for a bug with the moon in the background:
an x-ray shot of a Blue Bird
Always watching for something yummy to eat:

That pic is really of BALD EAGLES!!!!!

I emailed that photo of the birds I thought were Bald Eagles to a contact on the Louisiana Ornithological Society http://www.losbird.org/index.htm and guess what?!?!

Here's what they said: "Indeed, Bald Eagles are regularly seen along the River and also occasionally near LSU Lakes and Capital Lakes in and around Baton Rouge.
Your photos are certainly eagles."

HIP HOP HURRAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Look at this!!!!!

I think I got a photo of Bald Eagles flying up from the side of the Mississippi River. Click the photos so it gets larger and then look real close - white head & white tail and the way the wing tips are spread apart . . . my bird field guide says Eagles can be spotted along the Mississippi River in winter and my Louisiana Bird list has Bald Eagles listed. But who would have thought they would be right outside downtown Baton Rouge?
Also, here's a pic of an American White Pelican that was flying around the LSU campus, which is very close to the Mississippi River

And the Azaleas were blooming the 3rd week of February in Baton Rouge!
Back home, a threesome of birds waiting for more sunflower seeds: