March 22, 2008I headed north west to Baton Rouge, took a break and did some shopping, then (finally!) got off the interstate to head up Highway 61 (yes, Dylan fans, it is one and the same) to Natchez, MS. The campground was just across the river in Vidalia, LA. On Easter Sunday I drove back to Natchez to paint a riverboat on the Mississippi. After getting Easter dinner of chicken, cornbread stuffing and green beans, I got on the Natchez Trace parkway for a scenic trip through history.
The Natchez Trace
The Natchez Trace was a trail used by all kinds of traffic in the 1800's, from settlers to slaves to armies. The parkway follows the route between Natchez and Nashville, TN. I dry camp for the evening at mile 54, Rocky Springs. The remnants of the town of the same name are at the top of the hill. There were once 2600 inhabitants in what now looks like a rocky wooded path. It feels amazing to walk the same paths.
I love surprises. I happened across the Natchez Trace Parkway in the welcome center, and decided it looked too good to miss. I also love to learn about history and this 444 mile route has plenty. It is estimated it started as animal paths, then was used by hunters from the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes. By the 1700's it was used by French explorers like DeSoto. In the 1800's it was used by settlers, traders, armies and thieves. Today it is home to us recreational explorers. I did the Mississippi riverboat painting in Natchez. Large parts of the old trace are still very intact and very walkable. Reminders of the history are frequent and varied. I highly recommend at least a short trip on it. The sacrifices made by those who traveled that route were incredible when a simple injury such as a broken leg could be a death sentence. It is a reminder that many things we take for granted are a result of many years of sacrifice and hardship. (And people call me adventurous for braving a paved highway with a heater, ac, microwave and fridge!)As I was leaving a picnic area at mile 159, a herd of wild boars took off into the trees, about half of them babies. I had never seen them in the wild and was glad I had not seen them when walking the dog the night before.I traveled through Clinton, MS where I had a nice chat with the volunteers at the Info Center. We spoke of Katrina and the hardest hit victims. Not to minimize New Orleans, but Mississippi bore the brunt of the storm and got very little attention. Even the hardest hit areas are back on the map. I have been very impressed by Mississippi and its residents.
