Natchez with Problems

Arriving Natchez on the 19th of July (yeah, I’m that far behind) we set up camp in a state park campground. We’ve pretty much decided that we’re beginning to really enjoy the state parks over any other RV campground. They are extremely quiet, you get that “I’m camping!” feel since you’re not smack in the middle of town and even though you might not have “full” hookups, meaning water, electric and sewer, they’re definitely worth the price, most being around $20 a night. The state park in Natchez has been the cleanest state park we’ve ever yet to see and even had a washer and dryer in the bath house which we’ve never seen before.

 

Mom and her husband, Jim, drove over from Philadelphia (MS not PA) to join us. The plan was to stay in Natchez for a night or two, then head up to Vicksburg, tour the battlefield and over to mom’s for a stay. As luck would have it, or better yet, I’m beginning to think Brian actually put a hex on the 5th wheel so he can trade it in for another, we ran in to problems causing us to extend our stay in Natchez for 4 days.

It all started when Jim’s brother unexpectedly passed away and he needed to return home for a couple of days back in Philadelphia. Since we were scheduled for the spot we held for only 2 nights, we were required to pull up camp and move our trailer from one location to another within the park. As we were packing things up we ran in to problems with the awning which no amount of JB Weld, bailing wire or Duct Tape could ever fix.

This position seems to be a reoccuring event

As we were retracting the awning, it stuck in the half way position. Not budging, we unrolled the thing and tried again. It stuck again. And again the third time it stuck. On the fourth try, it finally retracted all the way to the trailer but this time there was a loud crack and bang. Low and behold, disaster number… oh heck, I’ve lost count by now. As it turned out, the lag bolts on a post connecting the awning to the trailer ripped away shredding the wood under the siding and ripping a large tear in the thin fiberglass siding. As I’m standing there in disbelief, I’m not sure whether to cry or start cursing like a sailor. Even I know this is serious and this is not going to be an easy fix.

The next morning, Brian drove to town and found that “Southern Hospitality” again when he explained our situation to the hardware store and they didn’t charge for the scraps of wood we need for repairs. He returned with electric drill, plywood, 2 x 4’s, furring strips, nails and screws and starts to work. Yes, it was hot and humid out and it took us the better part of 2 days to repair the damage but she’s as good as new, or so I’d like to think. Brian still wants to trade her in.

When we tore everything apart, we learned the problem with the awning actually stemmed from production. One of the lag bolts was no where near being placed in wood and the other was barely screwed in to the wood at all. We were really surprised there were no problems with the awning before now. Must be that hex Brian placed on the trailer.

With the awning repaired, we were once again free to play so we cleaned up and headed to Natchez where we decided to tour an antebellum home. Natchez is famous for their antebellum homes and holds a Pilgrimage every spring and fall where twenty-four antebellum mansions, all of them private residences, open their doors to visitors during a two to five week period. Hostesses dress in period costume and will recount the history of each home’s occupants and furnishings. Even though I’ve never attended one of Natchez’ Pilgrimages, I understand there’s a mint julep or two involved.

The Stanton Hall - Natchez, MS

For our house tour, we chose The Stanton Hall which was built in 1858 on an entire city block. The city block itself cost about $1,550 with the house costing over $83,000 before it was even furnished which was a lot of greenbacks back in the day! Ironically, the gentleman who had the house built, only lived one month after his home was finished. The home was beautifully furnished and was used during the filming of the movie, North and South. General Douglas McArthur and his family even stayed at the Stanton Hall during a visit to Natchez.

We decided we’d wait until Jim returned the next day before touring Vicksburg park so we drove back to our "fivers" (5th wheels) and called it a day with grub and a good game of Chicken Foot (Dominos).