You can walk through history on the Sunken Trace/NPS
Travel two centuries ago was a water world, where rivers were the highways for exploration and movement across new lands. Thick forests hampered overland travel, but the need for connections between river drainages was keen, and primitive overland trails were created.
The Natchez Trace is one such trail, stretching 444 miles from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. Today, it's a unit of the National Park System as the Natchez Trace Parkway, and makes a good tour, even in winter months.
Winter reveals a different world on the Trace, as hardwood leaves drop, opening views into the surrounding landscape. An auto-tour is a wonderful, relaxing way to see the countryside. This is not a high-speed thoroughfare with truck traffic. There are many picnic areas and hiking trails to stretch your legs, and an historian will delight in the stories interpreted along the way.
You'll cross eight watersheds and four ecosystems that are home to 1,500 species of plants, 134 species of birds, 70 types of reptiles, and 33 species of mammals. Even in winter you will be able to spot some of these (especially deer) along the way.
In the winter the weather's warmer the farther south, of course, but you can drive the whole length of the Parkway, or pick and choose your section according to the temperatures.
Snow does occasionally fall along the trace, such as the time it fell on the parkway information cabin at Ridgeland, Mississippi/NPS
Don't miss the Emerald Mound, a 1,500-year-old Native American ceremonial site at Milepost 10 (ten miles north of Natchez). And, for a true taste of the times, take a tour of Mount Locust, at Milepost 15. 'It's an old-style plantation home from the late 1700s,' says Natchez Trace Parkway Chief of Interpretation Terry Wildy. 'It's one of the few structures left from the heyday of the old trade, and the only public one.'
The Trace itself saw so much traffic that the travelers' feet wore a sunken corridor through the forest; it's an easily visible and walkable corridor in many sites along the Parkway. (There's a good example of a sunken trace 41.5 miles north of Natchez.)
Pull your car over and get out on the Trace. Envision yourself in the early 19th century, miles from civilization, with imagined and real threats from robbers, animals, and natives protecting their lands, seemingly behind every tree. You'll be walking in the footsteps of Jefferson Davis, James Audubon, Ulysses S. Grant, and General Andrew Jackson.
Take your time and explore one of America's unique trails.
Comments
And before you go, or while you're traveling the Trace, read William C. Davis' "A Way Through the Wilderness: The Natchez Trace and the Civilization of the Southern Frontier."
Just did the Trace over 4 days this summer and thought I'd chime in on my favorite stops along the way (and adjacent areas) in case anyone needs ideas in the future. The list is from Nashville to Natchez:
MM 438 Birdsong Hollow in Williamson County, Tn. The nation's first double arch bridge spanning 1648ft and 155ft tall. A really cool looking bridge just south of Nashville.
MM 404.7 Jackson Falls -Restrooms and Drinking Water. Gorgeous view, and the hike to get there is a beauty (down and back up a 900 ft decent). Really awesome little falls.
MM 386 Meriwether Lewis - Famous explorer Lewis died a mysterious death here. Visit the grave at this 300-acre park. Self-guided walking trails and restrooms. Info Cabin is open Wed-Fri, 1p-5p, Sat-Sun, 9:30a-5p, Closed Dec 25. New VC.
Corinth Civil War Interpretive Center
501 West Linden Street Corinth, Mississippi 38834 (662) 287-9273
Part of Shiloh Battlefield National Park. Really great visitor center. River of blocks in the back is great. One of the better national park visitor centers I have been to. I thought it was better than the Shiloh and Vicksburg Battlefield Visitor Centers.
Elvis Presley Birthplace and Museum
http://www.elvispresleybirthplace.com/the-tour/elvis-presley-museum/
306 Elvis Presley Drive, Tupelo, MS 662-841-1245
You don't have to pay to have a good time. Just walk around the outside for free and check out the historical buildings.
Neon Pig Cafe
1203 N. Gloster St., Tupelo, MS 662-269-2533
http://www.neonpig.net/
Mon-Sat: 11a-9p Sun: 11a-4p
Great restaurant for a sit down lunch in Tupelo.
Interesting burgers, po-boys, grilled sandwiches, pie
MM 180.7 French Camp - Historical gift shop and restraurant and museum. Mon-Sat 9a-4p,
MM 175.6 Cole Creek - Cool Swamp with cypress trees
MM 122 Cypress Swamp - .5m boardwalk trail through Cypress Swamp. Possible alligators. Can access the Natchez Trail here.
Mississippi Craft Center
950 Rice Rd. Ridgeland, Ms 601.856.7546
Exit parkway at Old Canton Road and travel south to Rice Road. Turn left on Rice Road and the center will be on the left. Open year round 9a-5p
Mscrafts.org. Facility displaying work of more than 150 artisans including Choctaw baskets and pottery, old-fashioned quilts, carvings in natural wood and an eclectic array. Demonstrations and art for sale.
The Tomato Place
Restaurant, Art Gallery, Veg Stand
3229 Hwy 61 South Vicksburg 39180 601-661-0040
Mon-Sun 8a-8p - PO boys, Sandwiches, Hot Dogs, Cobbler, Fried Green Tomatoes
Solly's Hot Tamales
1921 Washington St Vicksburg, MS 39180 601-636-2020
Tues-Sat 11a-8p 8/97TA
Legit Mississippi Delta Tamales - Hot Tamales, Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Sandwiches, Burritos
A Serious Dive
MM 30 Windsor Ruins - Take Mississippi Hwy 552 West and follow the signs
15095 Rodney Rd., Port Gibson, Ms 601.437.4351
Remains of one of the largest antebellum mansions built in the state. Spared during the Civil War, but burned in 1890. 23 columns remain. Open daily, Dawn to Dusk. Free.