Tickfaw State Park and Natchitoches, Louisiana

 Our first night after leaving New Orleans we spent at the Tickfaw State Park, about an hour and one-half north of the city. It was a nice change to pull into the green and sunny park. It was our first time backing up into a narrow site and much to our surprise, we did it quite neatly in one go! The weather had turned really lovely and we were anxious for a hike in the woods. Due to the recent heavy rain, we couldn't do the full River Trail, but we still had a great time. 

Our RV site had its own deck and picnic table.
At this time of year, the park had very few 
people.

The next day we headed 4 hours north to the Melrose Plantation (a separate blog entry appears next) and again, the weather cooperated. Our site there overlooked the plantation grounds and it was a treat. The next morning at our guide Jim's suggestion, we drove into Natchitoches for a walking (self-guided) tour of this beautiful city, the oldest permanent settlement in the region (older than New Orleans) and founded by Louis Juchereau de St. Denis in 1714. It stretches again along the Cane River (now a lake) with parks lining the shore. We enjoyed a good cup of coffee sitting outside watching passers-by and then for lunch, got their famous meat pies for lunch back at the trailer.

The trails were a combination of boardwalk and
natural.

The weather was cool but sunny. My two
vests have got constant usage. We still haven't
taken out our "summer" clothes. 

The park seasonally floods, a natural process
that protects the developed land around it.

The "Grandma" tree, a cypress that's over
600 years old.

The waterfront park along the Cane River Lake
in Natchitoches

Beautiful old homes line the streets around the
center of the town.

Steel Magnolias was filmed here and there is a
film tour of the city. Many of the old houses are
now B & Bs. 

An unusual example of Queen Anne style

We really enjoyed the meat pies here, but 
brought them back to our trailer for lunch.

The restaurant had reviews posted from many
Southern magazines and newspapers but
the ones from the NY Times and the New
Yorker caught Scott's eye.