Natchez Trace

11/09/2012 to 11/17/2012

445 Miles End to End Plus Side Trips.

Details Here

Day 0:

The Loading of the Van

Yes- It ALL WILL FIT!!!!!

I make some friends at the Hotel:

Scenic View

Jeff Gets Ready to Ride

This would be the last of the warm weather. 

Horse and Buggy go by the rest stop, 

Houses Road along side of road:

Night 1:

Jeff and Toni provide entertainment. (and spaghetti dinner)

Day 2

Next Morning:

The "other" Jeff

On The Road:

Timer Shot:

Night 2:

The international symbol for Kitchen

Drying Station

Next Morning:

Day 3:

TwentyMile Bottoms:

Night 3   (Monday)

Day 4:   

Night 4 : Jeff Busby:

Day 5:

  "French Camp"

Thomaston

   Day 6:

Night 6 - Rocky Springs:

Last Night of carrying food pig out!!!!

Day 7:

Original Trace - caused by 1000s of years of use.

The Port Gibson "Piggly Wiggle"

The "Zero" Mile Marker

Night 7:

Day 8:

U-Haul Guard Car:

Jeff's Turn to Drive:

and $160 worth of gas later - we are home!!!!

Details

• Day "0"    -     Drove to Nashville Tennessee  (Joe, Jeff and Devon)
  • 4 People and Five Bicycles and one LARGE Van.
  • Unloaded in Nashville TN.
     
• Day "1"    -    Left Nashville Hotel by Van and unload near "Trace Bikes".  (Miles 63 plus 7 = 70 miles)
  • Devon road first 1/2 day and Jeff road in the van.
  • Mid-day Devon left for home in the van and Jeff road with us the rest of the time.
  • First lunch stop hinted at the lack of Fruits and Veggies to be seen most of the way.
  • Hills and some wind. 
     
• Night "1"     - "Many Cedars"
  • Since we were getting in after dark - Toni offered us a bunk house.
  • Toni and the "other" Jeff provided entertainment. 
  • Was given Truck Tour of area. 
     
• Day "2" - Detour.:   (Miles 53 + 27 =  80 miles)
  • After a slight 25 miles detour we were back on the road...
  • Major Head Winds and Hills!!!!!
  • We road well into darkness again..
  • Storm was a brewing.
     
• Night "2"     - "Colbert Ferry"
  • Arrived after dark.
  • Was "stalked" by two "cats" (two sets of glowing eyed animals)
  • Set up camp by Boat Ramp Bathroom (to use as shelters if storm was really bad).
  • Best Bathroom cooking. ever!!!!
  • We had the place to ourselves.
  • Big Storm!!!!  Tent rocked a bit but was ultimately secure and dry. 

   

• Day "3"     -    Tupelo Hotel     (Miles 61 + 2 = 63 Miles)
  • Turned room into "Heated Drying Room"
  • Bought real Marino Wool socks and toe warmers.
  • Mexican Food and Wal-Mart
  • Laundry -
     
• Day "4"    -    Early Start to avoid ridding too much in the dark!!!  (Miles 73 + 3 = 76)
  • Road hard to beat the sun.
  • Arrived during daylight at Jeff Busby.
  • Lots of motor homes.  
     
• Night "4"    Jeff Busby
  • Dinner around the picnic tables
  • Cold.

   

• Day "5"    (Miles 69.5 + 2.5 = 72)
  • Breakfast.
  • Had slow start because of a tangled strap on front rack.
  • Mainly Flat -Good weather - Pace picked up.
  • Arrived before dark without rushing thanks to flatter ground and better weather.  . 
     
• Night "5" -  Ratliff Ferry
  • Letter waiting for me at office from Carol!!!!
  • Bought Pizza from stored just before they closed.  
  • Set up near store parking lot .
  • Showers were just down the road....

• Day "6"  -   (Miles 69 + 2 = 71)
  • Road mainly solo and took photos.
  • Most relaxing pace of the trip.
     
• Night "6" - Rocky Springs
  • Many Motor Homes
  • Set up behind bathrooms instead of tacking a site.
  • Used picnic table. 
  • Was amazed to see people driving to bathrooms from just a few sites away....
  • Last Night - Eat All Food Supplies or carry them!!!!
     
• Day "7"  -   (Miles = 55 + 2 + 5 = 61)
  • Shorter day.
  • Stopped for photos at end of Trace.
  • Headed to hotels.
     
• Night "7"  -
  • Tool free "Casino Shuttle" to a Mississippi River Boat and then walked to Magnolia Grill (good local restaurant)
  • Dried everything in hotel best we could.
     
• Day "8" Head back home via U-Haul Truck.