Hello, everyone!
Once we got into Louisiana, we ended up boon docking in Monroe Louisiana at the Chennault Aviation & Military Museum through Harvest Host. We enjoyed the nightly stay, but location was a little iffy since we were located in the middle of town. There were plenty of things to see outside ranging from old WW2 planes, to memorial Plaques of soldiers killed during the war. We had the option of parking where ever we wanted in the parking lot, and everyone there was very nice and helpful. Below is the information if you are a member of Harvest Host, and are looking for an overnight stop if you are going to be in the area.
Contact: Alexandria Powell, Public Relations Mgr or any employee
Address: 701 Kansas Lane,, Monroe, LA 71203
Located: at Monroe Reg’l Airport; 1½ mi N of I 20 exit #120, parking is paved
Telephone: (318) 362-5540
Website: http://www.chennaultmuseum.org
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ChennaultMuseum/
GPS Coordinates: 32.511548 -92.054327
Hours: Tue-Sat 9am-4pm, Mon overnights OK
More: In honor of the Flying Tigers, aviation & military memorabilia, airplane restoration
We only stayed 1 night at the air museum then headed off to Mississippi to what I believe was one of the best places we stayed at so far. Do understand that my point of view of a nice place to stay may be different for others. I enjoyed this place because of the campground being so secluded in the wilderness, free camping with running bathrooms, large fire pits, being able to collect our own fire wood, and lots of history… Now if you are basing a nice spot on full hook up and internet, this place is not your place. To get any type of phone or internet service was a 1 mile hike in the woods to the old ghost town of Rocky Springs.
We ended up meeting with a nomad and his dog from Tennessee (called himself Lone Wolf), and the camp host Mike that grew up in Mississippi over some beer, whiskey and a good size campfire. Mike got a camp host position there because his truck broke down and he wasn’t able to get his trailer moved out, so the forest services said he should put in to be a camp host for the park so that he can stay (most free camping sites around the country is 14 days max. stay) so he did.
Hiking in 1 mile to the old ghost town of Rocky Springs was by far the best ghost town I have ever been to. The town started in the late 1700’s, and grew to a population of over 2500 residents. In 1878 Yellow Fever came in and killed quite a bit of residents, which the town rapidly declined. 10 years later, the fever struck again, and killed more, destroyed crops, and devastated the town for who ever was left. By 1930 the post office was the last building that was still in full operation that finally shut down. The town became a complete ghost town by 1940. As you visit today, the only remains of the town is the church that still holds a service the last Sunday of every month, the original grave yard, a safe from the post office, a cistern.
Besides the lack of internet, there are a couple more down falls for out here that you should know. It is 7 miles for propane fill up at the bar, 13 miles to the nearest gas station and grocery. The grocery store has lots of empty shelves, and if your buying bread, buy it before you show up or you will be looking at over $4.00 for a loaf of bread. Below is the information if your coming into Mississippi on Hwy 20. It is located about 20 miles south of Vicksburg, Mississippi.
Natchez Trace Pkwy.
Hermanville, MS 39086
662-680-4025
800-305-7417
GPS: 32.0868, -90.7994
Mississippi is one of my favorite if not favorite state I’ve seen so far, where Alaska is up there also in comparison.
Have a great day everyone and we will see you in Alabama.
RAT PACK DRIFTERS 