Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Day 4: Natchez
Today we took a day off from our riding to explore Natchez. We visited the Stanton plantation house. It is one of the largest ones in Natchez. We walked through the historic downtown area visiting art galleries and stores. We aye lunch at a little cafe. I has a salmon pecan salad that was totally amazing. We even toured the historic cemetery. We got to use some of our slow speed drive skills as we traveled through the narrow road and tight turns of the cemetery. We then traveled across the Mississippi River over the bridge that connects Natchez with Vidalia. Consequently we can claim we went to Louisiana on this trip.We hung out at the hotel and swam in the pool getting out as we saw the dark clouds approaching. Hurricane Alex is off the coast of Mexico and Texas and we ate seeing the bands of clouds and rain overhead.
Day 3: Tupelo to Natchez
We spent a good portion of the day on the Natchez Trace seeing the various sites. We did take a side trip to a Harley Davidson dealer in Jackson Mississippi. I now appreciate my Harley dealer so much more.
Our morning began early with breakfast at the hotel. We were on the Trace by 9:00 am central time. At that point the day was sunny and warm, but the humidity hadn't reached it's peak. This part of the Trace seemed more shaded. The clouds slowly built through out the day. We expected the typical pop up scattered showers we have had the whole trip.
Our first stop of the day was an overlook that was 614 feet high and considered the highest point in Mississippi. While we have each seen much higher places, this was no less beautiful. From there we continued down the Trace. We stopped at a swamp that wad really cool. I walked along the bridge through the swamp and listened to all the sounds of frogs and cranes and blue herons. The swamp was it's own world. From there we visited an overlook that was on the south end of a man made lake. We also stopped at a series of Indian mounds. While there our friend Kathy made a bold prediction that we were going to dodge the rain that was so evident I'm the cloud about. We left the Indian mound and were no more than five minutes down the road when the sky opened up with rain falling hard. About five minutes into the rain storm as I considered pulling over to put on rain gear, it stopped; just as quickly ad it began. Within ten minutes travel time we had dried off as the humidity climbed. In no time we exited the Trace in Natchez. We found out hotel, nicely located on the Mississippi River. A newer hotel, with a great pool which is a nice treat after a hot day on the bike. We traveled about 280 miles today. Tommie is a down day for whatever exploration we want to do.
Our morning began early with breakfast at the hotel. We were on the Trace by 9:00 am central time. At that point the day was sunny and warm, but the humidity hadn't reached it's peak. This part of the Trace seemed more shaded. The clouds slowly built through out the day. We expected the typical pop up scattered showers we have had the whole trip.
Our first stop of the day was an overlook that was 614 feet high and considered the highest point in Mississippi. While we have each seen much higher places, this was no less beautiful. From there we continued down the Trace. We stopped at a swamp that wad really cool. I walked along the bridge through the swamp and listened to all the sounds of frogs and cranes and blue herons. The swamp was it's own world. From there we visited an overlook that was on the south end of a man made lake. We also stopped at a series of Indian mounds. While there our friend Kathy made a bold prediction that we were going to dodge the rain that was so evident I'm the cloud about. We left the Indian mound and were no more than five minutes down the road when the sky opened up with rain falling hard. About five minutes into the rain storm as I considered pulling over to put on rain gear, it stopped; just as quickly ad it began. Within ten minutes travel time we had dried off as the humidity climbed. In no time we exited the Trace in Natchez. We found out hotel, nicely located on the Mississippi River. A newer hotel, with a great pool which is a nice treat after a hot day on the bike. We traveled about 280 miles today. Tommie is a down day for whatever exploration we want to do.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Day 2: Nashville to Tupelo
We began our day with a trip to the Hermitage, the home of our seventh president Andrew Jackson. The home sits on just over 1000 acres of land that was used as a cotton farm. Andrew and his wife Rachel has over 100 slaves that worked the farm prior to their emancipation after the Civil War. We were able to tour a museum that chronicled the life of the Hermitage as intertwined with the life, military career and presidency of Andrew Jackson. The matter of fact portrayal of slavery was striking. No judgement implied - it was just part of the story. I was also interested in how Andrew's adopted daughter Sarah began the Women of Hermitage society prior to her passing. This society has maintained the home for over 140 years. Amazing for sight.
From there we found the Natchez Trace Trail and began the 260 mile journey to Tupelo. The day was very hot and humid. I was sweating Judy standing still. The welcomed breeze one creates by riding the motorcycle was very refreshing. Our first stop on the Trace was an overlook that gave us a great view of the 155 foot high double arched bridge. What was amazing was that it spanned a wheat field. I have never imagined a bridge over a wheat field.
As the afternoon wore on we watched the clouds form. The formation was beautiful. The Trace was a perfect road to allow a bit of sight seeing as I rode. The Trace was a flat, gracefully curved road. There were very few cars. What was surprising was that there were berthed motorcycles. We virtually has the road to ourselves.
One of the more amazing sites for me was when we road over the Tennessee River. The river was much wider than I realized. There were boats with people fishing and skiing. It looked so beautiful and refreshing. We had planned to stop at the Alabama state line. One of our riders was born on Alabama and we wanted a picture. We were surprised by hoe pronounced the state line was. Our first site was of a very small sign that said Alabama state line near a pull off. I pulled off thinking we would walk back to the sign one to discover a big pronounced sign with the two state seals and flowers. It was really cool. The Trace only passes through a very small corner of Alabama so we were in the state a very short time. By now it was clear we had just missed a rain shower. The road was wet and steam billowed upward. There were times the ride felt cold as we progressed through shady parts and times it was humid thanks to the steam from the earlier shower. We encountered a brief shower but was pretty lucky. We saw the storm moving in from the west, but managed to get to the hotel before the next rain.
We ordered in Italian and had it delivered to the room. We rested and shared stories and observations of our first day on the Trace.
From there we found the Natchez Trace Trail and began the 260 mile journey to Tupelo. The day was very hot and humid. I was sweating Judy standing still. The welcomed breeze one creates by riding the motorcycle was very refreshing. Our first stop on the Trace was an overlook that gave us a great view of the 155 foot high double arched bridge. What was amazing was that it spanned a wheat field. I have never imagined a bridge over a wheat field.
As the afternoon wore on we watched the clouds form. The formation was beautiful. The Trace was a perfect road to allow a bit of sight seeing as I rode. The Trace was a flat, gracefully curved road. There were very few cars. What was surprising was that there were berthed motorcycles. We virtually has the road to ourselves.
One of the more amazing sites for me was when we road over the Tennessee River. The river was much wider than I realized. There were boats with people fishing and skiing. It looked so beautiful and refreshing. We had planned to stop at the Alabama state line. One of our riders was born on Alabama and we wanted a picture. We were surprised by hoe pronounced the state line was. Our first site was of a very small sign that said Alabama state line near a pull off. I pulled off thinking we would walk back to the sign one to discover a big pronounced sign with the two state seals and flowers. It was really cool. The Trace only passes through a very small corner of Alabama so we were in the state a very short time. By now it was clear we had just missed a rain shower. The road was wet and steam billowed upward. There were times the ride felt cold as we progressed through shady parts and times it was humid thanks to the steam from the earlier shower. We encountered a brief shower but was pretty lucky. We saw the storm moving in from the west, but managed to get to the hotel before the next rain.
We ordered in Italian and had it delivered to the room. We rested and shared stories and observations of our first day on the Trace.
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