I am going to bore you a little bit with some holiday photos. Can't resist!!
We started the holiday in Memphis - which was good fun! We stayed in the Vista Inns motel - just off Beale Street. I had read a few reviews about people feeling threatened in the 'dark streets' walking round the corner back to the motel. We felt perfectly safe.... but we live in Glasgow and I wouldn't really wander round parts of MY city on my own unless it was broad daylight.
We went to Graceland - much better than expected! I have more respect for the Elvis phenomenon having seen people's reactions to his home.
Memphis is a city that's difficult to visit without a car. 2 days there and we felt like we'd done everything we wanted to, but we heard good music and ate good bbq pork and enjoyed our visit.
After picking up the hire car at the airport we drove to Vicksburg. I had been nervous about this part of the holiday, but I loved driving in the USA! We stayed in
Cedar Grove Mansion Inn. I have linked it's website but it's a bit misleading so don't expect any of the extras. It is a beautiful house and our suite was lovely - very old and atmospheric, a little creaky and full of character. I woke early and sat on the porch watching the sun come up over the gardens. The sounds were lovely and it was quite exciting for me seeing all the different birds & animals.
We left and took the Natchez Trace Parkway after a trip to the National Military Park in Vicksburg (really good - worth a trip).
The Natchez Trace Parkway made a much more pleasant drive than the Interstate - so I am glad we took that route. We stopped a few times - saw a waterfall and the Sunken Trace which is where the path has been worn down by footfall. It was lovely. We also saw more new animals: wild tortoises, turkeys, hawks, porcupine... lots.
From around Natchez we headed across back to the main roads and drove directly to New Orleans.
New Orleans was as good as I remembered. It is a beautiful city - unlike anywhere else I've been. The pace is relaxed, the people are friendly but not intrusive.... it's just amazing.
Music oozes out of every nook and cranny in New Orleans. We stayed in the Creole Inn in the Fauborg Marigny area. It feels like staying in a village. There are lovely cafes and bars, and the walk home from the city centre takes you past a variety of old colonial wooden properties, each one with a unique feature. I really love it.
We spent a few days seeing sights - we visited the swamps - we took a trip up to City Hall... And that's us married.
All in all - best holiday ever!!!
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