Foscue Creek (COE) 10/6/22 - 10/10/22 (#14) - Part 4

 

Left Hernando Point on Thursday, headed to Demopolis AL (SW Montgomery) / 4.5 hour drive. Foscue was our favorite on this trip. The site (#49) was right on the river, private, level, etc. We were asked if this was our first time at this CG (yes) & were escorted to our site. ALL the camp hosts we met were very personable. The park was immaculate! Gravel was raked & not a speck of trash anywhere.

Almost all sites are on water & FHU (1-13 not). Only four are directly on the river (Black Warrier/Tombigbee) / 49-52.

The big draw to being on the river was watching boats & barges go by. Just down from the CG, there is a lock & dam they go through. It drops them 40' to continue on their journey. I think I read that the river is 185 miles long & goes all the way to Mobile, AL. One day we watched a fleet (6 or 7) of large private vessels go down & enter the lock together. I suspect there is a charge & if a group go in, they split the costs. Spillway Falls-Lower Pool is where you go to watch them come out of the lock.

Going by our Site

Coming out the other side.

The Barges were HUGE.

Going by Campsite

Coming out the other side.

The one above took forever to go through. I had walked down from the viewing area to get this pic & Greg said he could hear it scraping as it came through. Think the wind got is going sideways & pilot had to maneuver it a bit.

Hauling rock, going into lock

I have lots more on file, there were on average 2-3 that came each day & 1 or 2 during the middle of the night.

We decided to be tourists the next day & visited the small town of Demopolis & ate at a Mexican restaurant (La Montanita).

Civil War Monument to all who served (not just 1 person in particular)

Fountain in the town square

We then went on a tour of the Historic Gaineswood Plantation. We met another couple that were also camping at Foscue (Trey & Kristi from AL) & had an excellent young tour guide - Elias Smith. The house started out at a 3 room cabin & was added on over many years. They did an excellent job with the additions & the family donated all the original furniture, clothing, etc. when it was added to the Historical Registry. A few pics:

Base is the same fountain from the town center

Ladies Parlor

Ladies Parlor

Mens Parlor

We then stopped at Bluff Hall, another historic house but didn't tour. We wanted to get a pics of the White Bluffs of Demopolis. Located along the shore of the river where the house sits.

Overall we enjoyed our visit here & agreed that if we ever head west, this would be another stop as it is an easy access from US Hwy 80. We both felt that Nelly would have liked this one the best, as well. Would have loved to see & hear her reaction to the barges....

We headed back to the farm on Monday the 10th (stopped at Sweet Creek Market outside of Montgomery for lunch). The drive home was an easy one (US Hwy 82) but LONG. It took us almost 7 hours to get home .... way too long. We agree that 5 hours is our max.

I'll end w/a few of the carvings spread throughout the park (mostly done w/Black Walnut & Chestnut):

Note: I did meet two pups on one of my morning walks ... Lilly a fat terrier that had escaped from her camper & was guarding the culdesac they were on. Also Rascal, Jack Russel/Bulldog mix, 17 years old.

Hernando Point (COE) 10/3/22 - 10/6/22 (#14) - Part 3

 

We left TN on Monday, headed to to Hernando, MS (about 40m S of Memphis). It took a little over 4 hours & we hit a little bit of traffic trying to bypass Nashville. Not too bad but any congestion can be a bit harrowing when pulling a camper.

We arrived at the campground & found our spot ... #26, right on the Arkabutla Lake. It was beautiful until around 3:00p. The site faced due West & while not really all that hot (low 80s), the afternoon & setting sun was intense!

The firepit was not near the 'living area' so we only had a fire 1 night.

This CG got hit with tornadoes a few years ago & apparently took out quite a few trees but they added FHU at all sites during cleanup. Sites are spread out nicely & the CG is maintained well. However, it is not manned by any park personnel so you are own your own. There were a couple of camp hosts but no one stopped by. Glad there was no problems w/electric or water.

We had a 'do nothing day' the 2nd day we were there. Read in the morning, in the shade & napped in the afternoon.

The next day we had a late breakfast & relaxed in the morning & then decided to head to the town of Hernando to visit The Desoto County Museum. 

It's a small museum that opened in 2003. Robert, the curator was an excellent guide & the museum has many rooms & exhibits that explain the connection of historical events to Mississippi. Would highly recommend a visit if ever in the area. It's free to the public but they do accept donations. Here are a few pics:

Elvis' mother was of Jewish descent

A Diorama - a gift from the Chickasaw Tribe

Concentration Camps

Unknown child

Civil War Flags

Robert

After the museum, we filled up the truck & then went for a late lunch/early dinner at The Burger Shop & then had ice cream from Area 51 before heading back to the CG to pack up for the next stop.

The sunsets were spectacular from our site:

This was probably our least favorite CG on this trip. In most other places we've stayed, the Rangers or camp hosts would at least ride by & wave or stop to see how we're doing. The few other campers that were there also weren't as friendly as other places. Very few of them ever came out of their rigs. 

And, we didn't meet any pups while there, maybe that played a role?

Extra Note(s): 1) While driving there from TN, there were several billboards along the way promoting Loretta Lynn's ranch. Got up the next morning to news of her death. 2) Jerry Lee Lewis' ranch is nearby, actually in Desoto County. Tickets were $45 each! Decided we didn't need to visit. His death was announced yesterday (10/28).

Cedars of Lebanon (SP) 9/30/22 - 10/3/22 (#14) - Part 2

 

We left Cheaha on Friday & arrived at Cedars of Lebanon SP 4.5 hours later. This campground is in Lebanon, TN & has 3 separate areas for camping. Area 1 has the most sites but all are pretty close together. Area 2 has larger sites but caters to more tent camping. Area 3 is the newest & all sites are well spaced apart. We stayed on 109 which is 1 of 4 FHU sites. The only problem is that is was on a sort of a curve & cars driving through were headed straight for the living side of the camper until they rounded the curve. So, while large, it didn't feel very private.

We had two separate reasons for wanting to visit this Park. There was a festival going on & it is in the town where my roommate from 40+ years ago is buried.

The festival (WPA day celebration) was a small one held at the Sadie Ford Heritage Farm across the street from the Park. They hold this festival each year to teach others how a working farm was ran during the 1920s & 30s. We went a little late in the afternoon just before they closed. They have basket weaving demonstrations, wood working, broom making, blacksmithing, etc. The local cast iron cooking club was also there serving up, stews, rice & beans & dessert. All in all it was very interesting.

The next day we went into town about 8 miles away. We ate late lunch/early dinner at a family run restaurant Demo's. Highly recommend. 

We then went to the cemetary to pay respects at Joyce's grave. The cemetary was MUCH larger than I anticipated & knew we didn't have enough daylight left to try & find her grave. We found the office but it was closed. I called the # on the door, no answer. I texted her son Troy, in hopes that he could tell us where to go. While waiting to hear back from him a car drove up & it was the cemetary director who just happened to stop by for something. He went inside & booted up the computer & found where it was located & how to find it. Lucked out on that one because Troy texted back that he could get to it but didn't know the # or the lane on which it was located. Bittersweet but glad we were able to go.

We were also able to go to a pottery shop just a few miles away - Silver Ridge Pottery It is owned by a very nice couple & the shop is adjacent to their home. Lee is the primary potter but her husband Marshall also makes unique & whimsical things. Lee gave us a very detailed tour & then we were left to browse. We bought a few platters for us & for Christmas gifts. Also met their sweet pups - Diana & Katie.

We also has a very sweet brindle cat come to the site every day for a morning & evening snack. It was feral but would let you pet him/her & didn't look like he/she was starving.

Met a few other pups too. Buddy, a black & white bird dog from California. 2 standard poodles (black & grey) from Flaggstaff, AZ (the one that wanted to climb in my lap was named Dutch), their parents were Jackie & Dave. Archie, a beautiful black lab whose parents were full timers originally from S. Dakota.

Weather was again very nice .... mid 70's during the day & mid 40's at night. The fire pit was located at the far corner of the site & was very high so we only had a fire one night.

Still missed Nelly but agreed that she wouldn't have liked this site very well either.

Extra note: We found one of the nicest liquor stores we have ever been to - The Golden Bear. The manager was very nice & personable & helped us make a decision on what to buy.