Day 38 - Vicksburg, MS to Natchez, MS

Without an alarm we were up at 6:15 and getting ready for yet another day. Not being overly impressed with the motel, we elected to eat breakfast out. Walked into an unnamed restaurant and walked right back out. We have this thing about eating in places that look clean. Drove the few extra miles and had a great breakfast at Cracker Barrel. Back at the motel we loaded up and headed for Clinton, Mississippi.

Clinton offered two things. First and foremost, Clinton has the only Starbucks within 100 miles. Second, there’s an entry onto the Natchez Trace Parkway. So with Starbucks in hand, we started out on a 94 mile drive to Natchez.

Opened in 2005, the Parkway extends 444 miles from Nashville, Tennessee to Natchez, Mississippi and had its beginnings as an ancient salt lick to grazing pasture migratory route for American Bison. Later Native Americans and early frontiersman continued using the Trace until it became a well established route complete with taverns and overnight stops for travelers. Over hundreds of years, constant use wore the Trace down until sections of it became a sunken road. In time it was the primary return route for those taking flat-boats down the Mississippi River. Flat-boats built and loaded with goods would be sailed down to New Orleans. Once there, goods and flat-boats would be sold and the Trace used for the return to the upper reaches of the rivers.

So why was this simple two lane road be such an amazing drive? Maybe it was the way it gently winds through the surrounding forests and farmland. Maybe it was the trees dressed in fall colors. Or perhaps the exclusion of commercial traffic. Maybe it was the wild turkeys along the road. It was in fact all that and more. You don’t have to drive the whole 444 miles, but if you are in the area drive some of it.

Founded by the French as a trading post in 1714, Natchez passed back and forth between Spain and America until 1795. As part of the Old South it abounds in history. Fortunately the early surrender to Admiral David Farragut during the Civil War saved the city’s architecture from the destruction suffered elsewhere in the South and there are many of the old southern plantations still standing. We took some time to see some of the homes and other sites in the city, including the frantically waving lady trying to tell me I was driving the wrong way on a one way street. Barb was pretty excited about that.

Our motel tonight is pretty nice. Less than a year old and we have a room with a view of the Mississippi. Ok, it’s not a great view, but is better than looking at the parking lot. Tomorrow we continue west toward home and will spend the next four nights in Texas. 178 miles today.

Old Natchez Trace