Spent a peaceful and restful night in the city campground of Collinwood last night. Got back onto the Trace at a fairly reasonable hour and started my day like I had hoped to spend this entire week. Driving a little, hiking a little and taking a few photos.
My day started innocently enough with a hike down Rock Spring Trail. This was an easy loop trail that crossed Rock Spring on an unusual footbridge. I had a very pleasant hike serenaded by dozens of songbirds, a woodpecker busy at work over head and squirrels arguing in the distance. I was even treated to a visit by two very busy hummingbirds. I did manage a picture however they are so tiny you can hardly even see what they are.
American five-lined skink
I then proceeded to cross the Tennessee River and stopped in at Colbert’s Stand and Ferry Crossing. This was mostly a park like setting but as I strolled about, I discovered my second surprise of the day when I stumbled upon an American five-lined skink. This one had a blue tail which is indicative of a juvenile American five-lined skink. He posed for several pictures which was nice for me.
I continued to travel down the Trace, stopping here and there for a five-minute walk or a twenty-minute hike just to experience the scenery and to enjoy a little time with nature. As it was starting to approach lunch time so I decided I might pop into Tishomingo, MS to see if I might find a local diner for a meal.
Why Tishomingo?!? Because I like to say the word . . . Tishomingo.
Not much to see, and no diners in Tishomingo so I decide to work my way back to the Trace to continue my travels. Little did I realize that I was about to get my third surprise of the day.
Shortly after making my turn to head out of town, I notice some black smoke ahead. It’s only a moment or two before I come up on the scene. I knew before I got there that I had beat the fire department. It was a truck fire, and already fully engulfed.
Tishomingo Truck Fire
Apparently, a gravel truck had gone off of the road near a railroad viaduct. It had ridden up onto the guard rail and was driven directly into the abutment head on. The word I got was that the driver had escaped only seconds before the rig had burst into flames.
It took at least three pieces of fire apparatus to put out the worst of the fire. They just couldn’t carry enough water to the scene to get the job done. When I left there were two more good sized pumpers rolling into the scene of the accident.
Unknown Confederate Soldier
I visited a number of other sites of interest throughout the afternoon including a location I had visited on my way west just about six years ago. This is the burial site of 13 unknown Confederate Soldiers. Little is known about how or why these soldiers wound up buried here and plenty of speculation. This spot is very near to traffic on two different highways however it is quite serene and tranquil here.
I spent the balance of the afternoon traveling south and stopping to visit the occasional pull off or two including one that was very near the camp of Hernando Desoto the explorer who lost out on a dispute with the Chickasaw.
I finished my day with a stop in Eupora, MS for Gas, Food and quite coincidentally camping in the city campground. Who knew I would stumble on a local campground two nights in a row? This one is located adjacent to a lovely park and lake. The sunset was outstanding, and I hope you enjoy the photos of this park and the rest of my day.