16 October 2025
Following a leisurely morning, we drove back into Hot Springs for the West Mountain Scenic Drive. Unfortunately, the Mountain Summit Loop was closed to traffic, so that was a bit of a bust. We continued on to downtown, parked, and strolled along Bathhouse Row. The buildings, including the former Army Navy Hospital, are beautiful; most are art deco architecture. There are also numerous springs (taps) where one can fill water jugs. The water is hot, so glass containers are recommended.
At the end of the row sits Superior Bathhouse – now a brewery – where we had lunch. We sat outside and enjoyed the beautiful day. We shared a smash burger and a house salad, but we each had our own beer. Actually, they brought the wrong beer for me, which they gave me for free, so I had two beers! I was stuffed!
Travel: 23 Miles / 3 Hours (Including Stops)
17 October 2025
It was a long travel day today. After eggs and breakfast potatoes, we left the lake cabin at 9:45, and got to Vicksburg at 3:45. Our original plan was to stop at the National Military Park, but it is only open until 4:30, so we decided to leave it until tomorrow – along with the USS Cairo and the National Cemetery.
We dropped our bags at the loft apartment (stairs only – no elevator!!) and looked for early dinner options. It turns out, the Walnut Hills Restaurant is right next store to the apartment – a mere 30 steps away – so that is what we chose. Markus and I shared the “famous” fried chicken (it was okay, but the chicken pieces could have been meatier – although we brought leftovers back with us!) and the chicken and sausage gumbo, which was really tasty. The desserts – 12 cakes, 4 pies, and 3 cheesecakes – were all extremely tempting, but we had enough willpower to decline.
We returned to the loft for an evening of baseball. Unfortunately, no pictures today. We will try to make up for it tomorrow.
Accommodation: Historic Downtown Loft (2 Nights)
Travel: 272 Miles / 5 Hours
18 October 2025
We slept late this morning, then enjoyed coffee, before heading to The Tomato Place for their highly rated BLTs (what started as a small roadside fruit stand is now one of the best places for lunch in Vicksburg). Both Markus and I had ours with avocado. The place was a total dive but the BLT was just as good as advertised! And, I bought a tomato to go – we’re thinking tomato sandwiches for breakfast either tomorrow or Monday. Note that the picture at right is a stock photo; it doesn’t look this nice in person. But, the staff were super friendly to make up for it.
After brunch, we made our way to Vicksburg National Military Park. Although part of the National Park System, the park, including the visitors center and the USS Cairo Museum were open due to donations from the Friends of Vicksburg NMP. The Loop Tour (15 Miles) was beautiful, lined with state and regiment memorials. A bit of background: The Park was established in 1899 and the law allowed each state that had troops at Vicksburg to build a memorial. Today, there are more than 1,400 memorials and markers, commemorating the siege and defense of Vicksburg in 1863. After a lengthy campaign and forty-seven-day siege, the city fell to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant on July 4, 1863. The fall of Vicksburg gave the Union control of the Mississippi River.
The Park is also home to the USS Cairo Ironclad and Museum. Per the NPS, “the USS Cairo was the first of seven City Class Ironclads commissioned by the United States War Department in 1862. The Cairo spent the summer and fall of 1862 patrolling the Mississippi River but on, December 12, while clearing mines from the river near Haines Bluff, Mississippi, the Cairo struck an underwater mine detonated from shore. It sank in only 12 minutes but with no loss of life. Because of this, the USS Cairo became the first armored warship in history sunk by an electrically-detonated mine.”
Our last stop in the Park was the National Cemetery. More than 17,000 troops are buried here, the largest Union cemetery in the nation. Of these burials, the identity of almost 13,000 soldiers and sailors are unknown.
We returned to the loft around 4:00 for a refresh. The weather was really hot today – in the upper 80s and we were parched from walking around the Park. After a rest, we started thinking about dinner – for his birthday, Markus chose Rusty’s Riverfront Grill. The restaurant is within walking distance, but since the weather forecast called for rain starting around 6:00, we decided to order pick-up. We went crazy and ordered enough food for several meals – coconut shrimp, seafood pasta, gumbo, ahi tuna sandwich, and side salad. Needless to say, we ate less than half of it, and have a ton of leftovers for the road tomorrow.
19 October 2025
We got on the road at 11:00 this morning, headed south to the Gulf. Our route took us through rural Mississippi for the first 50 miles, then we got on I-55. Except for the last 20 miles, the journey was all interstate, so not very interesting. On the upside, we covered the miles pretty quickly – passing within 35 miles of New Orleans, before arriving in Pass Christian a few minutes after 3:00. Driving into Pass Christian along the scenic route (State Road 90), you pass a row of historic mansions along the shoreline. Apparently built by the wealthy of New Orleans prior to the Civil War, they are absolutely beautiful! (Many have been rebuilt or significantly repaired following Hurricane Camille in 1969 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, but they are stunning, nonetheless.)
We stopped for gas and witnessed the only “car” accident of the entire trip of more than 9,000 miles. A man driving a golf cart backed out of the parking place in front of the convenience mart and rammed into the back bumper of a parked van. He hit it pretty hard – definitely audible and we think he may have been wedged under the back bumper of the van. We didn’t hang around to see anymore.
Once again – and continuing with the ongoing theme of this trip – there was no elevator. At least the stairs (there were only 20) were not overly steep or treacherous. We schlepped our bags up for the LAST time! The restaurant downstairs, Whiskey Prime, had Happy Hour from 3:00 to 5:00 with appetizers and 2 for 1 drinks. We headed down around 4:00 for a glass of wine (or two, with the BOGO). We had a choice of two appetizers – either fried green tomatoes or crawfish nachos. We opted for the nachos – they were a little spicy with pickled jalapenos, chili sauce, and melted cheese – delicious! That kept us sustained for a couple of hours until we heated the last of the leftovers from Rusty’s for dinner.
Accommodation: Hotel Whiskey (1 Night)
Travel: 231 Miles / 4 Hours
20 October 2025
We were up early this morning, and after a breakfast of tomato sandwiches made with our Tomato Place tomato (delicious!), we had the truck packed and ready to go at 9:00 for our last night on the road. We are already dreaming of sleeping in our own bed tomorrow night! It was funny when we got to I-10, because Siri (we use Apple Maps) told us to stay straight for 323 miles – that is the most on this trip! She has directed us straight for 200+ miles on multiple occasions, but never more than 300 miles.
We stopped at the Florida Welcome Center (I had grapefruit juice) for a refreshment break, and then proceeded along I-10 for another 200+ miles to the east side of Tallahassee, crossing into the Eastern Time Zone about 50 miles from our State Capital. We haven’t been in the Eastern Time Zone since August 21st! It’s good to be so close to home!
With the time zone change, we arrived at the hotel at 3:30. We are on the 4th floor and there is an elevator! The hotel had a happy hour with hors d’oeuvres and wine/beer. We had a light snack with wine and then had ramen noodles for dinner because that is all we have left at this stage of the trip – our larder is pretty much empty!
Accommodation: Staybridge Suites I-10 East Tallahassee
Travel: 333 Miles / 5.5 Hours
21 October 2025
Today was our last travel day! It was blissfully uneventful, and after a brief stop for groceries, we pulled into Oak Hammock. It felt so good to be home!
Accommodation: Our Own Wonderful Bed!!
Travel: 259 Miles / 4.5 Hours