Chalmette, the Battle of New Orleans and the Pirate Jean Lafitte

New Orleans is such a historic city, every where you go there is another story and another moment in history.  Just south of New Orleans is Chalmette and the Chalmette Battlefield, the source of one such story.  Not far from Chalmette, are the small town of Jean Lafitte and the Jean Lafitte National Park both named for the pirate-patriot Jean Lafitte and the source for yet another story. 

The city of Chalmette is where, during the War of 1812, the Americans defeated the British and saved New Orleans in - the Battle of New Orleans.

The Battle of New Orleans had no influence on the signing of the Treaty of Ghent which ostensibly ended the War of 1812.  The treaty was signed on 24th of December, 1814, but news of the signing would not reach America until February, after the Battle of New Orleans.

Grossly outnumber the Americans, under the command of Major General Andrew Jackson, set up there defenses behind the Rodriguez Canal (on the grounds of the Chalmette Plantation) and won a decisive battle.      

With the defeat of the British, Jackson became a national hero and paved his path for "Old Hickory" becoming our 7th President of the United States.

As you walks along the now dry Rodriguez Canal one has to imagine that the earthen works that back up the canal were much larger at the actual time of the battle; for they are said to have been a major obstacle against the British who lacked ladders to both forge the canal and climb over the earthen works.  

The "sky-blue" painted cannons are the actual colors used by the army to identify army cannons, while the red cannons like-wise are colored to identify them as navy cannons.   

Major General Jackson was supported in his efforts by the unseemly pirate-patriot character named Jean Lafitte.

A bit of a contradiction in terms, Jean Lafitte was said to be - a ruthless pirate who together with his two brothers plundered the seas south of New Orleans and was said to be the richest man in America at the time.

Despite his pirating ways, he excluded American ships from his plunder. 

He was also a "true American" - a patriot who turned a down a purported $30,000 offer from the British to utilize his fleet of 500 ships and 5000 sailors.

Further, he was a patriot who boldly (despite outstanding rewards for his arrest) "raided the Louisiana Governors' home" in order to alert the Governor of the British planned attack. 

He was a defender of America who added his sailors in support of Major General Jackson's Army at Chalmette.

For his patriotic efforts Jean Lafitte received a full pardon from, then President, James Madison.

In order to really appreciate the beauty of the Jean Lafitte National Park one would need to walk along its many trails and spend more time either I or most tourist are willing give to such an adventure.  I myself found more enjoyment in reading and hearing of the exploits and life of the remarkable Jean Lafitte and taking few pictures along the way.  

Naples to Port Richey

Still feeling a little shaken by the previous night's (actually - early morning) ordeal, I nonetheless, gathered things together and "hit the road."

With over 750 miles to go, no planned stops and ominous looking weather forecasts, I was eager to get started. It always seems like the closer you get to the end of the trip, the more hurried one gets. I was hoping to make it to New Orleans by Saturday night or mid-morning Sunday, and with good weather that should not have been a problem. Famous last words!

North of Port Charlotte the skies were clear and remained so across Tampa Bay and into St. Petersburg; but then things changed and in a matter of minutes I found myself in the midst of a driving rain. It was time to stop and get something eat anyway, but where were all the restaurants?

The rain had surprised me, and I hadn't put on my rain pants. Fortunately, it was cool enough that I had put my rain suit jacket on, but I was otherwise, pretty much soaked by the ordeal.

After finally finding a restaurant, in addition to eating, I was able to put on dry pants and the rest of my rain gear.

My intended plan was to take the coastal route along highway US-19, but, true to form, plans were "right on schedule" - it was already dark and I had yet to find a campground.

At a service in Port Richey I was advised that there was a campground, "...about 7 miles to the west just as you get into Holiday - right next to Bob Evans".

Often times, the people that live right in the area, are of little help when asking directions. The lady in Port Richey had given me excellent directions, but in spite of that, I still drove right by park and had to stop at another gas station and ask for assistance. The station attendant and a customer (a local resident) both had assured me that the closest campground "Was about 40 miles to the north."

Not at all convinced that they were correct (the lady in Port Richey had talked so authoritatively), I left feeling a little disgruntled and having already made the decision to head north and grab the first motel available.

Pulling back on the road and heading north, I rode less than a block before spotting the large sign advertising RV Park and Campground (right next to a Bob Evans Restaurant.) It was clearly visible and I don't know how I missed it; but, (in my defense) - a little ways off the road.

It was a nice park and very affordable (a pleasant change from Southern Florida). It was late and after a long day - it was time set up the tent and "hit the sack."

Back on the Road - Fort Pierce

Realizing that I had probably been camping illegally, and not wishing to push my luck, and get in trouble for trespassing, I got up early and abandon my habitat.

The days were now disappearing fast and I was beginning to fear that it would not be possible to make the entire loop, from Daytona to Key West, through the Everglades National Park and on to New Orleans, prior to the 16th of December (the date of the scheduled flight back to Michigan).

A plan was needed, but "planning" was not part of my plan. Discovering things along the way that you never expected, is what makes traveling exciting.

On the other hand, despite my above comment, I've sometimes regretted my lack of planning (or at least a failure to research ahead of time) which has caused me to miss things that should not have been missed.

In spite of the need to pick up the pace, it seemed foolish to just drive pass by the Cape Canaveral National Seashore and Merit Island without having a look. To at least get a peak, from a distance, at the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center, that alone would seem to make it worth the effort.

Merit Island is mostly a bird watcher's paradise, but as much as I like wildlife, that's just not my forte.

Perhaps because there is a toll to get to the beach, Cape Canaveral, was pretty desolate. Save a few shore fisherman spread out along the way, the beach was deserted.

As expected, the launch pad was clearly visible and actually closer than anticipated. Surprisingly, with no visible signs of security save a fence across the road and no trespassing signs, it appeared as though one could quite easily sneak right up the facility. I could only hope that I was badly mistaken. At the Merit Island Welcome Center they had said that when they were launching, "it wasn't possible to get even within a few miles of the launch pad."

Nonetheless, it would seem that the security would be tighter - "at all times".

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I don't understand how camping came to be regarded as meaning a - Motor home, Fifth-Wheel, Bumper-Tow Camper or "parish the thought" a Pop-Up Camper. Whatever happened to the tent, sleeping bag, log fire and warmed over "road-kill" (just kidding on that last one - of course!).

It isn't easy to find primitive (tent) campsite facilities, and when you do - you pay nearly the same as the RV'er. That's despite the fact that you're not using any electricity and you don't require a dump station. The tent camper only requires the use of the shower and bathroom facilities. For the tent camper to pay nearly the same RV'er, "It Just Ain't Fair".

To add to that, all too often (especially in the case of state and national parks) they close the gate at sundown.

I have four little questions for the state and national campground officials. Why do the campgrounds close down so early? Why should there be a gate at all? Why, do some of the parks not even allow tent camping? After all, isn't that what "true" camping is all about? Just asking!

As case in point, with some difficulty, I finally found Fort Pierce Inlet State Park, but it was closed and according to local authorities, they don't allow primitive camping anyway.

Faced with no other alternative, I stopped at a motel where (although it was only about 7:30) they were closed. Fortunately, (you may question this), one of the renter's in this the small complex of 5-6 motel units, was desperate for money and offered to "sub-let" their couch and use of bathroom facilities. John and Tricia were renting an apartment unit by the week for $175, but their check had not come through and they needed the money. For $20, it was a bargain. Their only request - don't tell their landlord.

When on the road, you do what you have to do - I rented the couch for the night.