Richard and I love to travel along the Natchez Trace Parkway anytime we are headed in that general direction. The road is smooth and easy, there is little traffic; plus the 50 mph speed limit makes it especially safe. We jumped on the Trace in Natchez and rode it to Tupelo, where we were to get off to head toward Knoxville, TN.While on the Trace we made a couple of stops because it's just difficult to ride along for so long and not do something interesting. Even if you've done that something before. Even if you've done that something every time you've been. Even if you've been several times.
I love the quiet and serenity of the Trace. I planned a side trip just a few miles farther north than necessary so we could go to the Meriwether Lewis Monument. I wanted to take photos of the area because I teach Undaunted Courage as part of the CCSS curriculum in my English III classes.
Within walking distance from the monument is a replica of wilderness houses of the era. This house stands near the ruins of Grinder's Stand, the house where Lewis died. At that time several houses stood as inns along the Trace for the farmers, boatmen, and others who walked or rode horseback from Natchez to Nashville, using the 500 mile route that Native Americans had cut hundreds of years earlier.
This photo shows an outline of the fireplace still visible from the Grinder home. It is all that is left of the place.
The Trace is so much more than these two stops. In fact, one of my favorite craft shops is the Mississippi Crafts Center near Ridgeland, MS. Have you had the pleasure of traveling along the Natchez Trace Parkway?
This looks like a really interesting area to spend time. Thanks for the lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteKaren,
ReplyDeleteThe parkway is so serene and quiet. The only problems we have ever experienced are the heat and the bugs. It's well worth fighting them, though, for the pleasure of a quiet drive with things to do along the way.