Jackson, Mississippi December 2017

“Where are we headed?” I asked David. We had rentals in 2 other cities and we were leaving Memphis having just putting some finishing touches on one of them in Memphis. Silence of anticipation hung in the air for about 30 seconds. We were already seat belted and the engine was warmed up. “Jackson.” David said definitively. “Jackson, Mississippi?” I asked as he put the Coach in gear and headed down the street. Quickly plugging Jackson into the GPS I responded with a quick

“turn left here”. It seemed to me that Jackson was completely random and out of the blue. We would be there in about two and a half hours. We had never been on the road between Memphis and Jackson before nor had we been to Jackson or heard anything about it at all.

I had planned to go through Mississippi to New Orleans but not much came up on Jackson. This time when I googled Jackson Le Fleur Bluff State Park came up. “Honey, they have a state park right in town.” “call ‘em up.” He replied. We booked two weeks sight unseen.

We never expected how pleasantly eventful our stay in Jackson would be. Firstly, the park itself is unusual and beautiful. The park is situated among a baseball field and series of museums and city parks. The Park road curves around a Cyprus swamp and a lake filled with water fowl, Grey Herons and numerous other birds. The camp ground is laid out well so that every site has a nice view of the lake. A huge collection of Pines,  

Mayes Lake

oaks and Cyprus created the breath taking scenery. We were there in late fall and the lake reflected stunning orange, red and gold leaves. We had an excellent spot. In spite of all the trees we were able to situate our Coach to pick up satellite signal.

For those traveling full time RVs one of the challenges is to have annual checkups to get prescriptions renewed. Being novice RVers we did not yet have a tow car and relied on our RV and Bikes. We were within biking distance to a walk-in clinic at Baptist Health Systems. They were gracious and reasonably priced. Also the Veterans Clinic is nearby as well.  We also found a Dentist just a five minute bike ride from the camp site. Very conveniently located.

A short hike through a forest area and lookouts over Cyprus swamps and along the Pearl River is the back door to the Jackson Natural History Museum. The Museum has spectacular displays of live and stuffed creatures from the area forests, swamps and in particular the Pearl River. The live tanks

Long Nose Gar lives in the Pearl River 4 feet long

contained colorful water turtles, baby alligators and huge prehistoric looking fish. The most memorable live animal on display was the 2 headed rattle snake. You read that right…a real live 2 headed rattler, with 2 mouths and 2 tongues slithering in and out.

Two-Headed Rattle Snake at the Museum of Natural History in Jackson, Mississippi

Owl on display

Turtle seeking higher ground

The museum has a large collection of stuffed birds that migrate there at certain times of year. We were admiring the museums view of the bird garden when a light rain began to fall. We decided to head back because we had no umbrella and the trail meandered through several Cyprus swamps and along the Pearl River. We were not sure what kind of creatures would be seeking higher ground.    The rain was cool and pleasant. It was not a cold day even though

it was early December. We were pleasantly soaked as we followed the twisting trail back down over the wood board walks and long swing bridge, past the edge of the Pearl River back through the Cyprus Swamps and back down to the pine and oak forest on the edge of the lake to our RV. It seemed as though there was something pure about the rain that day. You never know who is watching you.

Excellent Bird Watcing

Later we found new friends that had watched us frolic and laugh as we waded through the rain that day with complete abandoned joy. Later we met a writer who sought the solace of a tent to finish his book. Something of a Henry David Thoreau type character. He told us that he had been praying for a way to get to pure water for his baptism since he was now in his early 70s and had not been baptized although he was a devout Christian. The revelation came to him that day that this was the only pure water. This blessed down pour of perfect water. So he went out and was baptized in that rain. We agreed that it was such rain as to constitute a full immersion of pure water.
times with a big window out to a garden designed to attract an abundance of migrating birds. That day however the clouds grew dark and heavy as we gazed out into the bird garden. “Come on we better get back before we get soaked.” We were not sure how much rain would fall and how fast and there was a

Giant Leaf or Frosty's Hat?

river and several Cyprus grove swamps between us and the RV. Not being used to Alligator areas we did not want to be caught in high water. Just down the long turning staircase on the back side of the museum was now a pond where just a meadow lay an hour ago and it had just started to rain. I nearly missed a colorful bright green frog with red stripes down its sides. On down the wet path we say turtles and a snake crossing our trail. On the way to the museum we wondered what the random boarded bridges were for. They seemed to be just randomly there. But on the way back we used them all to cross low parts that had become streams or ponds in a matter of minutes.

Later in our stay we met a couple well into their 70s on the edge of the campground. They had a menagerie, 2 dogs a cat and the set was complete with a pet pygmy chicken.

That chicken was 16 years old. She had laid eggs until only a couple of years ago. Who knew a chicken could live so long? That couple and menagerie had watched us having fun in the rain. The lady gave me a beautifully embroidered pillow that said, “Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass. It is about learning to dance in the rain.” She said that they had watched us walking and laughing in the rain and she had decided then that we should have that pillow.
That was the most eventful rain we have experienced.

Kim & Frosty

David & Kim at Snowy Mayes Lake

The following week on Dec 8, 2017 Jackson had an unusually snow fall of the likes that had not been seen for 36 years. We built a cute little snow man on our picnic table.We had a ball playing snow. Frosty started a snow man building competition at Le Fleur Bluff State Park. Even though he was the smallest our Frosty was definitely the happiest.

Eastern Bluebird in the snow

It was stunningly beautiful. We were not the only ones enjoying the snow, however. The Eastern Bluebirds had a party skipping and scampering in the snow right in front of our front window. We watched them for hours. They are usually difficult to spot in spite of their bright blue color because it mimics the color of the

Mayes Lake Le Fleur Bluff State Park Jackson, MS

shadows in the trees and with their rust colored breast they blend well especially in trees covered in fall leaves. But their colors showed brilliantly against the glittering white. It was entertaining to watch the scene go from fall to winter in an instant.

Opening of Mississippi Civil Rights Museum

Kim & State Representative Angela Cockerham

December 10, 1817 Mississippi became a state of the union. To celebrate the bicentennial of the state Jackson being the capital opened its new Civil Rights and Mississippi History Museums. President Trump created somewhat of a controversy attending the opening so he spoke to a private group. We attended the public opening ceremony and heard many rousing speeches and met several politicians and key figures of Mississippi including Miss Mississippi. In spite of the chill in the air and snow still on the ground in places the Mississippi fashion was in full display. Many wore fancy furs and fabulous shoes. I'm sure they were freezing. I was happy with my Eskimo Couture. We had to return on another day to see the museums as the tickets were already sold out for the opening day.

Cannon from the Civil War

Hand Stitched Quilt from pre-Civil War era  by African decent slave.

The museums were elaborate, beautiful, and respectful to such a sensitive topic as civil rights.
It was a painful subject for a city such as Jackson to support. But they braved the topic and produced a wonderful tribute to those who had died or were jailed during the civil rights fight over the last several hundred years. The museum reminded us that many important inventions including the Cotton Gin was invented by African decent Slaves. They had creative and elaborate quilts displayed that had been hand stitched by slaves. 

Aside from visiting museums, hiking and meeting new friends. I picked up a new skill, chopping firewood. It is surprisingly easy to split a log with an axe if you know where to

hit it. Great exercise too. For all my fitness savvy friends chopping wood is the most complete workout possible. Plus it is fun. I did not believe I could really do it but I did it much to my own surprise and with a great sense of accomplishment. In addition to playing with axes Le Fleur Bluff Campground had a play ground. Finding ways to stay fit while camping is sometimes a challenge but it is always fun looking for new ways to get your heart pumping. Every where we go David sees a photo opportunity like this fallen tree.

It was about 5 feet off the ground and required a small tree climb. While up there why not do tree yoga. After there is a lot of pizza to be eaten in the world and each region has their own variety. So tree yoga is a good recreation assuming one stays in the tree. David called this the "tree pose". 

"Tree Pose"

Just a short bike ride away was the VA clinic and Baptist Health Clinic for full time RVers having doctors close to a campground is a rarity. We took advantage to get our annual checkups. We passed with flying colors and celebrated at Manship Woodfired Pizza on the ground floor of the Baptist Health Building in Jackson. This made from scratch wood fired pizza was among the top 5 best pizzas we have ever had. Sweet potato fries were great too! 

All along the street into the park and campground were flags for  City Heart Church. As it turns out they meet in a private school located just outside the gates of Le Fleur Bluff State Park. We rode our bikes to visit their church both Sundays we were there. Pastors Kevin and Andrea Reid are truly gifted and inspired. We felt their love for God and us as soon as we walked through the door. They are young and started their own church as a part of The Rock Ministries

Pastor Andrea Singing with Pastor Kevin looking on

out of Pastor Miles McPherson's church in San Diego. Coincidentally we attend The Rock Church when we are in San Diego and personally know Pastor Miles from serving him ice cream at CrunchTime Popcorn & Kim's Creamery. It was such a joy to see this young couple start this wonderful church in Jackson filled with folks from all generations. Pastor Andrea sings like an angel and Pastor Kevin preaches a moving, intelligent and relevant message. We felt the sweetness of the Lord's spirit with that church that is a rare find.

Sun Setting over the Pearl River

Le Fleur Bluff has flat gravel areas with a fire pit in each campsite. We took full advantage of the fire pit roasting marshmallows for smorse. Yum Yum! It was still cold but it make having a fire even more fun.

We loved our time in Jackson, Mississippi. The city and its people were a delight. Our time in Jackson was most eventful, productive and fulfilling. But as the sun set over the Pearl river our time in the swamps, rivers and lakes of Jackson came to a close it was time for us to move on to the next adventure. 

To infinity and beyond!