Day 3 - Getting to see more of Natchitoches, Louisiana

Submitted by:  Mike (and Pat) Astley #3

We carpooled over to the parking area behind the Kaffie-Frederick Mercantile. Half of the group started the day with a trolley ride and the other half started with a tour of the Mercantile followed by free time to explore the town and shop.  I was with the trolley group

but our auspicious start was delayed by the failure of the trolley to start. Pat & Skeeter came to the rescue providing a jump from their car.

The tour started with a drive-by of a couple of the older homes in Natchitoches. We then drove by the real home of the Harling family and the home/salon of the hairdresser that were the basis of the Steel Magnolia story,

We next got to see the house that was used in the movie for Truvey’s home and salon

 ...followed by the family home.

Our trolley returned to the Mercantile and we traded places with the other caravan group. Going into the Mercantile we were told about the stores history by one of the Frederick descendants.

Then we had time to explore the old town area gardens

And shops

and to have some lunch.

Our town time finished with seeing the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame

 and the Northwest Louisiana History Museum.

We ended our day with an informal get together in the camp club house.