The Road to Nawlins

The H70 is an amazing highway. It starts on the East coast, meanders it's way across the country into Nashville, down through Memphis and continues out West almost to the Pacific. We picked it up almost outside our accommodation in Nashville and stayed on it till we reached Little Rock.

To drive, it's a pleasure. Quiet, long straight roads stretching way into the distance, small towns built around corn, cotton and beans. Pick up trucks, oh yes there's pick up trucks.

One of my disappointments on this trip is the lack of American cars. OK, there's pick ups! Did I mention that already. But other than pick ups, there are SUV's and Japanese imports. The occasional Ford, a few Dodge Chargers and a Mustang now and again. What happened to the Chevy's, the Caddy's, the Buick's. Sad to say the US automotive industry has gone the way of most other places. The vehicles on the roads here are no different to those at home, except a bit bigger. The pick up's that is. Did I mention them? Some of them are bloody huge!

Anyway I digress. The H70 leaves Nashville and goes through Jackson. Had to stop here, after all, it's all about the music. Didn't see much of the place to be honest, but the hotel was good and I had my first Catfish of the trip. It's an acquired taste I think. Taste's a bit like mud to be fair, but then it is a bottom feeder so no doubt a fair bit of mud passes through.

After Jackson (Tennessee) and there are 23 towns and cities with the same name in the US, we cruised down and through Memphis. After leaving there early, we decided to stay on the highway and go further West to Little Rock. Bill and Hilary Clinton have made this place famous and it's impossible to go anywhere without seeing the Clinton name somewhere.

The outdoor arena

Jake on the Streetcar from desire.

The Streetcar.

Clinton Bridge?

The last submarine from WW2

Mississippi paddle boats.

Loved the town though, it has a fine downtown area with some great bars and shops and a well thought out layout, making it easy to get around on foot and see some of the area. We stayed two days here and really enjoyed it.

Sadly it was time to leave the H70 and we picked up the road South, taking us through such places as Pine Bluff, Tallulah and Waterproof. Only in the US of A will you find a place called Waterproof. And when we passed through there, it was bloody raining! Oh the irony.

Our stop for Filet Gumbo and Jambalaya 

Gator and fries anyone?

Our last stop before reaching Norleens was in Natchez, a town with a history going back to pre civil war. Evidently, Natchez was spared damage during the civil war as it was considered irrelevant to the campaign. So many of the Antebellum homes are still existing and are beautiful.

We stayed at the Eola Hotel, which is legendary itself. Photo's don't do it justice, but here's a few anyway. An incredible place.

Gone with the wind!

Following the Mississippi again, we sauntered our way Southwards stopping and eating and viewing this wonderful country until we reached New Orleans. The road through the country was done, we have reached the Mississippi delta. Starting way up North, we've driven about 2500 miles from Minneapolis, taking it as slow as the river runs. Back then I posted a photo of the river in its infancy and now we are at it's widest. Next to Route 66, the Great River Road and it's deviations has been an uplifting, amazing journey. A real Road Trip.

The wide slow Mississippi.

Now we've reached NOLA, it's time to head East again and follow the coast road into more of that Southern hospitality. Won't ever forget the Mississippi though, no siree!