Natchez Trace, Mississippi - May 20, 2008
HI EVERYONE. WE ARE TRAVELING AGAIN AND THIS TIME WE ARE HEADING WEST. WE TOOK THE SOUTHERN ROUTE THRU ATLANTA AND ON TO ALABAMA AND STOPPED IN TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI.IN TUPELO WE WENT SOUTH ON THE NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY. A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE MUCH LIKE THE BLUE RIDGE PARKWAY IN THE NORTH CAROLINA MOUNTAINS.
THE NATCHEZ TRACE WAS A TRAIL GOING FROM NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE TO NATCHEZ, MISSISSIPPI. THIS TRAIL WAS USED FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS FOR HUNTING, TRAPPING AND TRADING AMONG THE INDIANS. WHEN EARLY FRONTIERSMAN WERE EXPLORING PAST THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAINS THIS TRAIL WAS USED AS A PASSAGE TO THE WEST. LATER HUNTERS, TRAPPERS, AND FARMERS WOULD CARRY THEIR GOODS ON FLATBOATS DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER. AFTER SELLING THEIR GOODS ALONG WITH THE FLATBOAT, THEY WOULD USE THE TRACE (TRAIL) TO GO HOME. DURING THE EARLY 1800’S THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WIDENED AND CLEANED THE TRACE SO THAT WAGONS COULD PAST THRU. THE TRACE IS NOW A SCENIC PARKWAY FOR CARS TO TRAVEL FROM NASHVILLE TO NATCHEZ .
WE RODE A PORTION OF THE TRACE SOUTH OF TUPELO, MISSISSIPPI CALLED THE WITCH DANCE. IT WAS SAID WITCHES WOULD GATHER ALONG THE TRACE TO HAVE THEIR MEETINGS. AND IF YOU LET YOUR MIND WONDER A BIT YOU MIGHT HEAR THE CACKLE OF A WITCH OR MAYBE THAT WAS JUST A CROW OFF IN THE DISTANCE.
THE FOREST HAD PUT ON ITS FINEST GREENERY AS WE RODE THE ROLLING HILLS AND CROSSED STREAMS. AN ARRAY OF WILDFLOWERS AND BUTTERFLIES GREETED US AS WE PASSED THEIR WAY. THE SWEET SMELL OF HONEYSUCKLE FILLED THE AIR AND BROUGHT BACK MEMORIES OF MY CHILDHOOD WHEN I WOULD SUCK THE NECTAR FROM THE BLOOMS. HUMMINGBIRDS ALSO LIKED THE HONEYSUCKLE NECTAR AS THEY NERVOUSLY WENT FROM BLOOM TO BLOOM. WE RODE BENEATH A MANTLE OF OAK, HICKORY, MAPLE AND PINE TREES. THE FOREST FLOOR WAS COVERED WITH SAPLINGS OF OAK, HICKORY, DOGWOOD AND LOW GROWING SHRUBS. A GREAT RIDE!
WE STAYED AT STINKING JIM’S CAMPGROUND AND WERE ABLE TO RIDE OUT ON THE TRAIL FROM CAMP. THE CAMPSITES HAD WATER AND ELECTRIC HOOKUPS AND A DUMP STATION WAS PROVIDED. THE STALLS RANGED FROM CORRALS TO COVERED STALLS TO A FEW STALLS IN A BARN. THERE WERE NICE CLEAN BATHHOUSES WITH HOT SHOWERS AND A COVERED PAVILION WITH TABLES AND CHAIRS. FOR LARGE GROUPS THEY WOULD PROVIDE MEALS. THE CAMPGROUND COULD ACCOMMODATE PERHAPS 75 HORSES. ALSO AVAILABLE WERE CABINS WITH CORRALS FOR YOUR HORSES.
SO LONG UNTIL THE NEXT TRAIL. LARRY AND BOBBIE
ATTACHED ARE A FEW PICTURES WE THOUGHT YOU MIGHT ENJOY.
HONEYSUCKLE
BOBBIE ENJOYING THE HONEYSUCKLE ON THE TRAIL
SMALL WATER CASCADE
ON THE TRAIL
GREENE MEADOWS FARM
LARRY AND BOBBIE GREENE
May 20, 2008
LIFE IS ON THE BACK OF A HORSE.....ALL OTHER TIME IS WASTED.
