Sunday In Natchitoches

Today was a real lazy day. Just what one is supposed to do on a hot southern Sunday.

We slept in and by the time we were going to enjoy the "free" Super 8 Motel breakfast it was too late. It is only served until 9AM including on weekends. That policy must save them a lot of Money.

Off we went to the Huddle House. Quinten was hungry and ordered chicken fried steak, with two eggs, toast, and grits.



He actually ate it all, except the grits...

We rode into town to take a city tour on a carriage or one of these street car looking buses. Only to find that they don't run on Sundays. They really take Sundays serious around here. Not a bad thing. We walked around on the river front looked an old house, took some pictures, and got bad directions to Melrose Plantation.





The ride thru plantation country is very pleasant, mainly along the river with a number of historic sites along the way. Melrose Plantation is fairly well preserved but not really true to any particular time in history. It has gone to several owners over the years, been renamed from Yucca Plantation, rooms have been added to the buildings and lots of other changes made. But still it is a very interesting trip thru time with a nicely done tour by volunteers.

http://www.canerivercolony.com/History/story_of_melrose.htm

The original art by Clementine Hunter comes to life with the stories told be the guide.

http://www.clementinehunterartist.com/

It is amazing how many well known American writer have spend time at Melrose and wrote some of their works here. William Spradling, Gwen Bristow, and Lyle Saxon are among them. Recently the plantation was the backdrop for a new movie staring Kris Kristopherson that is not yet released. The title is: For Sale by Owner. Robert Duvall is the Director.

Quinten got to swing the "Punka" a huge fly squatter that was to keep the flies from the freshly prepared meal that was sitting on top of a pre-heated old mill stone to stay warm. This was done only by 11 year old boys we were told. 10 year olds were not strong enough and 12 years was the age to start working the fields. While swinging the Punka the boys had to whistle loudly. Not to let folks know that the meal is ready, but to assure that they were not stealing food, unless one could whistle and eat at the same time, it was very effective.




We finished the day with a few purchases at WalMart and a surprisingly good meal at an "all you can pig out on" Chinese buffet. Time to hit the bed, we will get up early tomorrow to head for Natchez, MS before it gets hot.