March 17th from Vidalia, Louisiana on the shores of the Mississippi River.
It has been a little over 2 weeks and so much has happened.
Mar 1- there was the last storytelling circle at the rv camp in Bay St Louis. This day
also marked the fact that we have lived in the rv for 3 months.Then we left in the early
afternoon to drive to Poplarville, MS for an evening story circle we had been invited to
by Lorraine Craig whom we met at Wiggins.It was a lovely drive north away from the coast
into heavy pine forests. We arrived in good time to have a light dinner at
Deb's...excellent, fresh food.The story circle was so welcoming and warm. Many of the
people drive a good distance to attend the meetings. I did not catch people's names but
their stories and faces I won't forget. The support for each other was strong and
heartfelt. There was much laughter. I told a short story at the end of the evening which
felt right. Most of the tellers told stories they were working on...each one so different
and full of a richness from people and place. I learned so much that night. This story
group has been going longer than the Guild I belong to...there are the same problems and
logistics to deal with and the same 'need' to tell and work on telling stories. I felt
very much at home and it was hard to say goodbye.
Mar2- It was cold & sunny. Time for many goodbyes in the rv camp in the morning which is
part of the pattern of rv living. In the afternoon we went to the nearby Casino to smaple
the buffet everyone had talked about and see the casino. It was alright...you are enticed
in the door with food and then surrounded by gambling machines. The food was so so...I did
not eat very much but still felt very bloated I noticed which reminded me of what others
had described. The gambling machines were very loud and people could smoke anywhere they
wanted...so that completely turned me off. We tried a few machines and left. Been there
done that.
Mar3-We took the Stennis Space Center tour which is part of the NASA organization. It is a
huge place and the bus drives us around and the driver explains the history of the
place.Then we were dropped at a Museum/display building which was full of very special
exhibits from the space program. There were also many people coughing on the bus and the
cafeteria.My husband was so intrigued with many of the science displays...I was amazed and
shocked to turn a corner and see a '60's' living room which was the actual living room of
a NASA scientist...the shock was seeing all the stuff I had taken for granted when growing
up in my own living room! It was amusing to read a notice for young people today
explaining what we 'older' people didn't have then. The staff helped me find the badge and
pin from Roberta Bondar's flight...she & I went to the same highschool together. It was a
wonderful afternoon inside...we discovered later that we missed a big rain storm. Back at
camp we got a fire going that night...not easy to do with the type of wood we were
given.We discussed travel plans and decided to move on with the rv on Mardi Gras day
itself rather than drive back to Bay St Louis after Mardi Gras.
Mar4- up early cleaning and organizing rv. There was rain and wind. We talked to the campp
owners about moving on earlier than planned.
Mar 5- Heavy rain in the night thunder storms and very very humid (to me).
mar 6- sunny and cold...we cleaned out some old curtains in the rv and vacuumed the car.I
phoned some friends. We went out to the Mexican restaurant again. There was a small boy
coughing nearby. We had a campfire...our last one there...my husband sets such fab
campfires!!!the stars were out strongly and is was coolish.
Mar 7- A cold & sunny day. We packed up and said goodbyes knowing that we would try to get
off as early as possible in the morning tomorrow. Oh please note ...I had a sore throat.
Mar 8 & 9- Mardi Gras day!!!I was up very very early...not feeling well at all... a sore
throat and little energy . My husband got up as well and we had our breakfast and departed
at 6:30am...heading into the unknown and staying on major roads to avoid any tangles with
Mardi Gras traffic. I just got sicker on the drive...we arrived at the hotel in Lafayette
which was in our original plans for the days outing about 9 am...we passed through areas
where roads were being readied to be blocked for a parade.I wanted a bed and to stop
shivering...It was very warm and humid...I was wearing two fleeces and shivering. Then my
husband parked the rv and it BACKFIRED very loudly. I expected to see police arriving
instantly. So I went to bed and my husband dealt with the rv problems. Our grand plans
were changed so quickly...but we were at a hotel not stuck on the side of the road
somewhere thank goodness. I do not remember much of the next 48 hrs...my husband brought
meds and applesauce and checked on me frequently. He found a garage (Stelly's Auto & Truck
Repair) that would fix the rv. I slept and drank liquids and watched the weather channel
in horror to see the huge storm system we had missed because we had departed so early in
the morning!Parts of the highway we had driven was flooded and a strong tornado had
touched down in a community north of the rv camp we had been staying in.Whew it was a
shock to see the damage.
Mar 10- We checked out of the hotel and learned the rv was still being worked on but would
be ready for us that afternoon so we went to a nearby Acadien village to tour it. My
energy was low but we wanted to see something.It was a whole village with a couple of
living history people.Learned about the environment that the Acadiens landed in...such a
change from the north!! Oh and we did get to see a display for Mardi Gras from the
folklore version in Iota. It is called the riding Mardi Gras and I enjoyed seeing the
masks and the costumes very much...learning a little more about the traditions celebrated.
Later we waited for the rv to be done and departed Lafayette about 4 pm.We were headed to
the Mississippi River and Natchez. After a long but good drive we arrived about 8pm at
Vidalia LA at the River View rv camp on the shores of the river looking across at
Natchez. I was still ill but it was peaceful here.
Mar 11- It was sunny & warm. We booked in for 2 weeks. There are many birds here and the
Mocking birds are singing all the time. The news is so shocking from Japan!
Mar 12- We took things slowly today. It was sunny and warm.We got groceries and drove a
bit of Natchez and Vidalia. I am still ill but we walked the riverfrint abit.
Mar 13- Up early with a headache and cough and the Time Change which was spring forward!
We did fly our kites for a short while.I learned about the terrible snow storm in Ontario
on Fri! Yikes!
Mar 14- I awoke with a headache but did have more energy. We visited the Natchez tourist
center as the rains poured down! Then we drove around the town a little.
Mar 15- Up early with the sun. We took today easy...walking the waterfront...reading and
resting.
Mar 16- Up early...the camp power went out for a bit. My husband saw 5 blue Jays. It was
sunny and cool. We made sandwiches and packed for an outing. Drove part of the Natchez
Trace which was an old trail used by various groups in its history. Due to the soil is is
composed of...where it has been walked it has sunk... so an unusual land formation over
the years. The day was perfect. The highway is closed to commercial traffic so a very
peaceful drive. The forests were so quiet and old. We stopped often enjoying the
landscapes.My energy felt good again.
Today the 17th the sun has burned off the fog.The birds are happy to see the sun. Spring
is getting closer as is World Storytelling day on the 20th!
Sunshine & Laughter
Anne
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