I make it to the entrance of the Natchez Trace Parkway and the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, part of the US National Park system by 9a local time CST). The Natchez Trace Parkway is 444 miles long from Natchez, MS to the vicinity of Franklin, TN. Of course I am starting in the north and headed south.
Originally created by migrating Buffalo and the Native American Indians who hunted them, the Natchez Trace was used ultimately by explorers, pioneers, settlers, armies during the War of 1812 and Civil War, and we will soon find out, some of these are very famous people.
My plan for the next several days is to travel the entire distance of the Trace by motor coach stopping occasionally to hike, bike and photograph.
As I enter the parkway I am greeted by a flock of about 5 turkeys enjoying the sunny morning in the open grassy area by the road. It’s not long before I come to the first road side park area to visit and tour. These are numerous throughout the Parkway and I will stop at as many of these as I can to tour, hike and photograph.
The first few areas provide access to original sections of the Trace and I take a few short hikes down trail. I come across many wildflowers, old growth forests of Oak, Maple and Poplar among others. The weather is warm but a nice breeze makes it tolerable. I make a number of stops and hikes just to experience the terrain.
Gordon House
One of the first historic sites I visit is the Gordon House and ferry location on the Duck River. John Gordon ran the ferry service in agreement with the Chicksaw Indians. His wife had the house built as John was off to war and he died shortly after it was finished.
I also visit a tobacco farm and barn maintained by the park service for demonstration purposes. The tobacco is growing in a small plot. The barn is open to walk through. I have been inside a tobacco barn before in Virgina, but can’t resist the opportunity for some B&W photography. Please visit my flickr site and enjoy.
Grinder House
The last stop of the day is the Grinder House which is the site of the death and burial place of Meriwether Lewis. The official cause of death was a self inflicted gun shot although there are some who believe that he was shot during a robbery. The National Park service does not mention either of these in their exterior displays.
After a few more miles of driving I stop at the visitor’s center in the town of Collinwood, TN to get information of possible dining locations and camping areas in the immediate vicinity. As luck would have it, I find both right here in Collinwood.
Supper at Chad’s. Chad’s did not come with the highest recommendation from the local visitor’s center but it was good enough for me. I always try to find a little local flavor when I travel is this fit the bill nicely. Camp for the night in the city campground adjacent to the city Pool and Little League Baseball fields. The campsites were nothing more than an open field, but they had full electric (30 amp), water and sewer. That’s all I need tonight and I quickly make camp and settle in for the night.