Mississippi-State 7 of 49-New Friends, Mishaps, and Improvement

If you are a first-time reader, welcome to Lora and Erics RV Adventure Blog. You can read about us at http://www.LoraandEricsRVAdventure.com. We started our Full time adventure with the purchase of our 2018 Grand Design Reflection 315RLTS. We have been on the road since December 27, 2017.

Lora and I try to leave for our next destination between 9:30 am - 11:00 am if the time to the next is under 4 hours. I am sure if the trip is longer we will need to adjust our departure times to get to the next destination before dark.

Well, welcome to Mississippi y'all to.

Clear Creek RV Park is 2 hrs 38 min (174 miles) from Yogi Bear RV Park in Robert, LA. We booked Clear Creek RV Park using our North American Camping Club membership associated with Resorts of Distinction. We search the NACC directory online and send an email to Resorts of Distinction to book. There is no website or pictures of the campground.

Here is the description from North American Camping Club:

Park: Cedar Creek RV Park, 415 Tiffentown Road, Vicksburg, MS 39183

1. Description: 45 RV sites (35 full hookups, 10 partial). 15 sites are pull throughs. 30 (20 sites) & 50 amp (25 sites) electrical service. 2 comfort stations; 1 dump station. Roads are graveled; sites are graveled. Sites accommodate up to a 40ft RV. Slideouts accepted (15ft max width). Extra charges for additional people. Elevation: 180 ft. Open year round. Busy season is March through November. Rates are based on 2 adults. Additional $2 per day fee for each additional person over the age of 15.

2. Pets are allowed if on a leash. There is a 100-pound weight limit on pets. Proof of shots for pets is required. Maximum number of pets allowed is 2. No Rottweilers, Pit Bulls, Dobermans, or other attack breeds allowed.

3. Amenities: Convenience store, gasoline, picnic tables, restaurant, laundry facilities ($). Forwarded mail accepted.

Upon Arrival the Clear Creek RV Park office was sharing the lot with an Exxon Gas Station and Truck Stop.

There was a Subway in the Shop. The site looks run down and a bit scary. The office was closed. The time was around 2:30 pm and I recall reading the checking time was 3:00 pm so maybe the office does not open till them. Lora suggested I go to the service station to see when they will open.

Lora was right, The manager there found my reservation and asked if I had found my site. I said "no". She asked I come back to give her our site number when set up.

Getting back to the car Lora was already on Facebook telling her people what we got ourselves into. I suggested lets try it a night and re-access in the morning.

Maneuvering down the entrance's big slope then turning to head toward the upper level was a bit tricky. We found a spot but realized we needed to be pointing in the opposite direction. The neighbor came out of his camper and talked with Lora. Lora introduced herself. Since we had to move again we choose the site in between the Jimbo our new neighbor and another camper. After a few forward and backward maneuvers and help from Jimbo and Lora we were parked.

I installed the water, sewer, and power like normal. I positions the RV Pads under each support. I set the auto-level and we moved the pads to better position. After the auto-level finished Lora and I went inside to open the slides. Bella B looked worried too. For the first time Bella B went into the bathroom with Lora and she closed the sliding door. I proceeded to open the slides. I stepped out of the camper and started walking to the truck. POW!!! The camper slide to the left and made a big band when the from jack hit the ground. I immediately put some wood under the hitch section and began to raise the camper. As I went higher I added wood below the hitch until I can get the tongue jack raised enough to place wood back under the pad.

Lora came out asking what the shit happened. She was on the toilet when all hell broke loose and the camper dropped.

I walked around to the left to look at what happened after I secured the front tongue jack and raised the camper again. The left pad had sunk in the mud at an angle. I guess when I opened the slides the side center of gravity moved to the left and sunk the pad.

The guy in the camper across from us seen us and said they had 3 inches of rain the night before.

I retracted the auto-level jacks and they all worked. Wonderful news, but it just added to the sketchiness of being here. I improved the leveling with more wood and set the auto-level again.

It was time to have a drink. Lora was getting feedback from her Facebook friends to get out of there. I was looking for other options. After a little bit we stuck with lets see what happens tonight. We took a walk around the campground to see what else is here.

The woman's bathroom according to Lora looked like a psych-ward. Men's was no better.

Most of the trailers were run down and in need of repair or condemning. All the trailer windows were shut, floors were falling apart from the outside, window A/C units were being used in place of an RV A/C.

There were sites on the edge that were over grown with weeds, brush, and garbage.

There is a upper level and a lower level.

There is no creek, but a cesspond pond behind the gas station.

Jimbo came over again after he had seen we were settled and Lora was out having a cigarette. We exchanged stories about each other and became more comfortable the longer he chatted with us. Later in the evening Jimbo came over and we hung out drinking. Jimbo smoked, but I never seen him drink. Jimbo is very knowledgeable of the area and work. He is a veteran and former truck driver. A local from birth from down the road. He mentioned his mother was the front desk clerk at Memphis Recording Service at the Sun Record Company when Elvis Presley came in to record. Jimbo was extremely knowledgeable of Vicksburg and the Military campaign. He suggested some places to visit while we are here.

The next morning we awoke Jimbo came on over in the morning when Lora was out for a cigarette. They must have talked for a couple of hours.

There was a big semi rig parked behind us from the neighbor in back of us. Lora and I both did not hear it come in last night.

We did hear the constant blowing of the train whistle as the train passed by across from the highway we were parked next to.

Some time after Jimbo had left; behind us there were 3 guys drinking beer behind the semi-truck. A pickup truck was in the roadway.

We had seen one of the guys run toward the service station. I joked with Lora he must be making a beer run. I hooked up Bella B's collar and head out the door. I asked the other 2 men if we can make fires here. They mentioned they did not know, but the guy who ran to the service station lives here and can find out. After the 3rd guy came back we talked about his truck. I mentioned I was ex-Cummins and he showed me the Mac Engine under the hood. It was interesting the engine color was the same as Cummins Red. Lora came out and she started with the Introductions. Lora mentioned my comment when we saw the guy run to the store that it was a beer run. The neighbor behind us is an OTR Truck driver during the week and home on weekends. He and his girl friend live in the camper behind us. After talking with the guys and earlier Jimbo we felt more comfortable staying for another day so we can sight see.

Vicksburg is under 10 miles from the campground and an easy 2 exits from out location. Our first stop was Old Court House Museum. The cost was $5.00 per person. The volunteer taking the money gave us a brief history of the Court House and we joked about being from the North. He said in Mississippi we are politically incorrect and like it that way. We agreed and said we love learned about both sides and the history.

The Court House was standing during the battle of Vicksburg. The Union Iron Clad Ships were bombing the town and court house. Confederate Troops house captured Union Soldiers in the Court House to stop the Union Troops from firing at the court house. The court house has a Confederate, Indian History, Southern dresses, Confederate President Jefferson Davis. He was a politician from Vicksburg, MS.

After spending about 1 hr and change at the court house we got back into the truck. We set the google maps onto the U.S.S. Cairo. Visiting the U.S.S Cairo is Free. The U.S.S. Cairo is the first ironclad ship to be sunk be a Confederate Torpedo. The only salvaged ironclad ship recovered of the 7 built and used on the Mississippi during the Civil War.

The U.S.S. Cairo was torpedoed and sunk: December 12, 1862 and raised from its grave under the Mississippi River on December 12, 1964. The USS Cairo carried thirteen big guns. At the time of it's sinking in 1862, the USS Cairo was armed with three 8-inch smooth bores, three 42-pound rifles, six 32-pound smooth bores and one 30-pound rifle. A 12 pound howitzer was added to reduce the threat of boarding parties, and was not regularly used in combat.

If you ever visit Vicksburg, Mississippi this is a must see. You will not see history like this anywhere else.

After U.S.S Cairo we were going to head to the Visitors Center for the Military Battle of Vicksburg National Park. The road to the Visitors Center was closed. As a result we headed downtown to Jesse Brent Lower Mississippi River Museum. We expected an admission charge, but was surprised it was Free. The Museum shows the history of living on the Mississippi River, history of floods and a Mississippi Riverboat Tugboat to tour. The staff at the museum were great hosts and they offer additional places to visit within walking distance.

We walked up the street to the Museum of Coca-Cola History and Memorabilia. Cost was $4.00 per person. The Biedenharn Candy Company and merchant Joseph A. Biedenham first came up with the idea and process for Coca-Cola to be bottled for the first time and shipped into rural areas outside Vicksburg, MS in 1894. The museum was full of advertising and memorabilia. In the back of the museum was an original soda fountain shop.

Across the street from the The Biedenharn Candy Company is Yesterdays Children Antique Doll and Toy Museum, Cost is $3.00 per person. The couple in their Senior year still operate the museum. When we walked in there was no one at the register. We called out and waited. After a few minutes we placed $6.00 on the counter and started out visit. After walking through one half of a section the lights went out. An older gentleman walked in from the backroom. He did not know there were people inside. He said he will turn the lights back on. I mentioned to him I left the money on the register. It turned out the older gentleman was the owner and husband of the doll collector. It is an amazing collection of dolls from 1800’s to 1900’s. There are old TV and Movie theme dolls, Barbies and so much more. In the front of the shop the Store owner has antique dolls for sale as really low prices.

Lora was tired and I wanted to see the Murals down by the river. There is a brick laid road headed down to the murals. I gave Lora the keys to the truck to move the truck closer to where I would come back up.

The Riverfront Murals is Free. It is a collection of Murals along the flood walls protecting Vicksburg from flooding on the Mississippi River. There are approximately 35 different murals along the walk. Each have a placard in front of the mural explaining the scene and the painter.

There are other pictures I took of the Old Depot and Railroad Museum, Monument, and Biscuit Factory Restaurant.

We did a lot today and headed back to the campground. All looked good when we arrived at the campground. Bella B did well. I walked her. She did her business and we started our evening. Jimbo came over at one point to hang out and talk about all what we had visited. He filled in the history of the places we visited.

While we were hanging outside when the neighbor behind us drove up in his SUV and came up all excited and in pain. He said he said he could not feel his hand. He mentioned he had just broke up with his girlfriend, whom we did not meet earlier, but only seen her in the camper and semi truck. He said they had and argument. He had left her where they were parked. At some point in time he handed her his wallet. His radiator light came on, he opened the cap and water sprayed on his hand and arm. We rolled up his sleeve and seen no burns. His palm had some small bumps. We gave his a bottle of saline solution. The girl friend later came up with her mom driving. They talked for over an hour with the neighbor behind us coming back once in a while. We offered to talk to them both. They have been together 6 months and we have 30+ years experience being together. I walked to take garbage out, stopped to talk to mom. Lora talked to the girlfriend while I talked with Mom. After some time the couple was back in love and ready to make amends. Mom left. The girlfriend mentioned they were going to do laundry. They left with the girlfriend driving. Later into the evening they came back with the girlfriend driving. She came by and asked if we can help her get the neighbor behind us to bed. They went to eat eventually passed out in the truck. The girlfriend and I walked him to the couch where his slept. The girl frind came over and sat with us for some time. We counselled her for some time and she later went to bed. They were supposed to leave at 5 am on a OTR load in another state, they left together around 8:30 am Sunday.

The next morning, Palm Sunday, we were glad to know they repaired their relationship and left together On The Road. Jimbo came on over in the morning, we explained yesterdays drama. We later seen the girlfriend's mother drive up to the camper across from us. It turns out her mother and son at living in the camper. Wow, such a small world. I asked if she heard anything. She had said no. I explained to her all looked good when we went to bed and we had seen them leave about 8:30 am.

Jimbo left and we started to get ourselves ready for another day of activities. Before we left Jimbo came back over to introduce Bob the campground caretaker. We introduced ourselves and they mentioned they will be over later tonight,

We learned, when Lora worked at Good Shepherd and I working at the Shelter, to never judge people until you introduce yourself and have small talk. We were feeling much more comfortable staying longer.

Today we were planning to visit the Vicksburg Military National Park and Visitors Center. Just a short trip away. We went to the visitors center first. There is a $15.00 charge per car load, unless you have an Annual National Parks Pass or Forever Pass if you are over 65 years of age. The park was very familiar to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania Civil War and Williamsburg, Virginia. The site is very somber. I believe what is unique to this site is the markers showing the movements of the troops. Blue is Union and Red is Confederate. The site honors all the men from both sides and is a national treasure and cemetery for the MIA soldiers still on the soil.

We ended the day after the drive through the park. We headed to the campground. Jimbo came on over and hung out with us. Later on Bob came on over after he checked out the neighbor behind us SUV and camper. We talked with the neighbor behind us on the phone. Bob joked I was sent to the hospital for helping him into his trailer the other night. We joked around and wished him good travels and we will watch his possessions. It was good to hear the young couple were doing well. Lora has the girlfriend on Facebook and hopefully one day when they are on the road and seeing our travels we can cross path again. Earlier in the day Lora was Face-booking the girlfriend and suggested she contact her mom. Bob had mentioned the owner wanted to make improvements to the campground, first with adding gravel. They were improving to attract temporary workers living out of campers working at the near by Nuclear Power Plant. We offered suggestions of improving by cleaning the grounds, fixing the lattice walls,, power washing the existing campers or getting rid of them entirely. Bob and Jimbo had a faithfulness of making the campground a success. They just needed the support and confidence to make it happen. We called it a night at some time and another day past at Clear Creek RV Park.

The next day was a rough day for us. I did not get up till after 10:30 am which is very unusual. I normally get up at night and stay up for a few hours then may get back to sleep. Lora normally gets up after 9:00 am - 10:00 am. I am on the clock of Bella B and my own time clock which never is in sync.

The day was not the greatest and we were not in the mood of going anywhere. Jimbo came by and mentioned he was hired by the owner of the campground for some work. We were so proud of him and he looked excited of the opportunity. It was not till after 6:00 pm we seen Jimbo back to the campground. It was good he can get some work to help.

The next day I researched places to visit outside of Vicksburg. I wanted unique. I found Port Gibson, MS. My goal was to see Windsor Ruins in Port Gibson passing through Natchez Trace Parkway.

The ruins consist of 23 standing Corinthian columns of the largest antebellum Greek Revival mansion ever built in the state. The mansion stood from 1861 to 1890. We were just about 1 hour 15 minutes from the ruins with a pass through Natchez Trace Parkway. We stopped at a few attractions.

Stock photo from December 2017

We never found the ruins. Lora did not want to park on the side of the road with not parking to search for the ruins. Jimbo later told us it is just off the road but you need to know where to walk the path. He could have guided us there. In his day they were able to visit and still have the rubble from the fire. The owners over time put a fence up to avoid injury and stealing of artifacts.

We headed to Walmart in Vicksburg, got gas, and headed back to the campground. The next day we leave for Memphis.

The next day was uneventful waking up. We actually had McBenz's for breakfast and washed up. We started the procedure of unhooking everything. I connected the truck with the intention of leaving to our right. Lora was positioned to guide me out. We were very close to the power box so I had asked her to watch carefully. We made a couple of attempts to move in and out. Jimbo seen we were struggling so he came on over. I was being backed up by Lora and clearing the power box. Jimbo told me to cut the tires and move forward. Doing this put me the pole rubbing on the side of the RV travel trailer. Jimbo told us to hold on and he got Bob and another guy we never met before. We think he is Tucker. Tucker got into the truck. Lora and I place a rug between the metal and pole to prevent any more scratching. After a few tries the pole and TT was in contact. Not good. I suggested to remove the hitch and move the angle of the truck to push the trailer away from the pole. Tucker immediately said let cut the pole. I thought he was the owner to make such a decision. Wow I was glad to see someone make that call.

Bob went to get the chainsaw. Bob cut the pole at a level we can run over it. For me it was a stressful moment. It also solidified that we cannot judge people. God will guide us and the friends we meet. In the past 6 days we have met great people and experienced a history very few experience unless you make it to Vicksburg.

So how does Cedar Creek RV Park improve:

We seen Jimbo be hired by the owner to start cleaning up. Did we influence that with Bob, don't know but we were happy to see it happen. We mentioned to Bob we seen 4 RV Campers drive through the parking lot of the gas station. In our opinion how they drove through they attempted to stop at the office and the office was closed and on top of that they seen the campers on the site.

1. The lattice needs to be power washed and fixed.

2. Lay down the gravel that Bob mention was planned

3. Place a fence between the neighbor and the park to prevent dog from walk around wild

4. The cats are wild. We seen a woman dumping a bag of food behind the shed. I took a photo of the white pick up that had dropped off the food.

5. Clean the trash from the property. The dogs are dragging bags from the gas station through the campground.

6. Clean up the outer edge sites so campers can back in. The power boxes are hidden or damaged.

7. Clean the bathrooms. Give them an identify. The first day there were latches on the bathroom door I had used. The next day the latch was gone. Had to bring tape each time I needed to use the bathroom. At 2 am, when walking the dog, there was a Mercedes parked at the bathroom. When I was seen the car left through level 1 toward the garbage dumpster.

8. Need a Host Camper on site for security and check-in. Jimbo is a recommended candidate.

All we can say is good luck. There is a group of employees and residents that want to make the campground successful. Jimbo and Bob were great in watching out for us. In the same time they showed they are watching out for the current residents as well our new guests. Best of Luck and we hope to one day return to a great and improved campground.

If you want to follow us as we travel across America, please subscribe to our blog. The posting is our own opinions and experiences.

UPDATE: A couple of weeks after our visit, Jimbo sent us new pictures of Cedar Creek RV Park after being cleaned up. Great job guys!

BEFORE

AFTER