After packing up Toa, we head over the Chalmette and Jean Lafitte National Park whose visitor center is next to the battlefield where the Battle of New Orleans was fought. The BF really wanted to see it, so I went along. I hate war memorials. I’m a pacifist who spent my academic career learning all about wars, meaning the futile and useless killing of people over ‘ideals’ which could have been managed with negotiations, in most cases. I acknowledge there are times when it is necessary (WW2), but so much killing just makes me sick. Then in college I went to Dachau prison camp in Germany where the ovens are still standing. That was decades ago and I never want to see another prison as long as I live.
The battlefield
That said, I watched the movie and found it very interesting. The battle was a complete cluster f*ck on the part of the British. 
They hadn’t counted on the marshy land, one commander was killed early on and no one ever really took command so British troops were crossing in front of each other, impeding their own progress while Jackson’s men hung out behind a gully and a rise, well defended, and just picked off the confused British. Yea us.
Leaving the visitor’s center, I went to look at the field, which looked a lot more ominous than it did driving in. So I turned and hung out under the grove of oak trees with picnic tables. The huge old-growth trees were draped with the hanging moss that I’ve heard about and seen in movies. It’s magical and eerie in a strange way, and I’m glad I got to see it in person. It was quite, hot and overcast. I sat under the trees until the BF had finished with the museum.
After the battlefield, we headed towards the highway and stopped off at a local cafe to have our last Louisiana meal. In no time, we were in Mississippi.
Next up, Oxford, MS, home of William Faulkner.
Start the Journey Here
