June 5, 2009. Natchez, Ms. Beautiful Evening.

It could not be better. The sun set over the mighty Mississippi River while we sat eating dinner at The Magnolia Grill. We then walked along the shore at the Vidalia Landing across the bridge in Louisiana, in front of our hotel The Comfort Suites. Molly still had a cold, so Christina chose to stay at home in Jackson, so tonight Kate, Mary Frances, Andrew, Ken and I dined together in Natchez, in an area called Natchez Under The Hill, right along the Mississippi River. The food was wonderful, but the walk along the river topped the dinner. Almost a full moon too. Some days you just get lucky.

Ken chose the hotel and Ken chose the restaurant so hat's off to Ken.

This morning, driving on the Natchez Trace from Jackson to Natchez was lovely... for about one hour, then the lack of anything but trees started to make Ken fall asleep, so we left the Trace and drove on Highway 61, and enjoyed the houses and businesses and farms, eventually arriving in Natchez. The Visitor Center was our first stop, followed by lunch at the Carriage House, part of the Sanford House, which we toured after lunch. Our guide was succinct so we were not overwhelmed with facts. The home is large, built in 1848 with 17 foot ceilings on the first floor and 14 feet on the second. Many original pieces of furniture are still in the home, also the dishes of the original owner. Natchez is one of those southern cities not destroyed during The War Between The States, as a Union General ordered his men to leave all homes intact. Compare this with Columbus, Ms. where all homes were burned to the ground. After the war, the same General moved to New Orleans, where he build a home very like the Natchez homes.

Tomorrow we will enjoy the old town and tour another home built in 1836, complete with many clothes worn by the women of the day. I want to take a carriage ride, also see the Indian village. More good food for lunch too. Natchez is a very pretty small city, with homes both large and small. We bought three books, so soon I will bore everyone with facts. And I want more than ever to take a trip down the River, from the top to the bottom.