Trailer Life: Mississippi meanderings

Driver's Seat

This month's travel focuses on several states whose very existence revolves around America's grand dame of rivers: the Mighty Mississippi. Indigenous festivals, parades and parties make this stretch of our country a must-see for serious students of history, geography, food and music. Whether studying the secrets of the Hopewell Indians or sampling zydeco rhythms, RVers are bound to come away richer, smarter and maybe a few pounds happier.

First on our tour through the heartland is "The Great River Road," beginning on page 46. Author Bill Stoughton and his wife, Ann, found following Ol' Man River both a visually and an emotionally fulfilling journey. Through Iowa and Illinois, the Stoughtons appreciated endless fields of golden corn alternating with verdant bottomland forests. Recreation on the river is abundant, as the author discovered, and includes freshwater fishing, boating, sightseeing cruises and gambling riverboats such as the Casino Queen. Campgrounds are frequent; some, such as Dubuque Yacht Basin & RV Park in Dubuque, Iowa, are situated on the river. Others are a stone's throw from the water. Check your 2003 Trailer Life Directory for a complete list.

Following the river due south, you'll discover New Orleans beckoning next. The internationally famous town offers a cornucopia of delights to pique all five senses; some of the tastes, sounds and traditions are transplants from France, Nova Scotia, the Carribbean and beyond. Author Richard Carroll not only explores the state's most colorful city, but also takes us on a toe-tappin' trip along Louisiana's music trail. In "Discovering Cajun Culture," which begins on page 57, Carroll introduces us to a variety of people and their distinctive melodies. Not only do the bars, cafes and street comers explode with music, but so do the churches, where you can hear gospel singers at their finest. From ShreveportBossier to New Orleans, and from Cajun to Creole, the "gumbo" that is Louisiana will satiate RVers. The calendar here is full; festivities abound from January to December, and most campgrounds are open year-round.

The last stop on our heartland tour is a nostalgic interlude in the Badger State. Author Ellen Thane returns to her roots and discusses her RV experiences in "Wandering Through Wisconsin," beginning on page 87. Not far from the Mississippi, the quaint town of Augusta is home to a large Amish community, as well as farmers of Norwegian and Dutch extraction. Sample their excellent cheese and ice cream, shop for antiques or drop a line in the stream; it's a pleasant respite in rural America. Camping accommodations are in nearby Eau Clair and are available April through October.

Is it time for you to meander the Mississippi in 2003? ti,