The Natchez Trace Parkway leads you 444
miles through 3 states and 10,000 years of history. Established as
part of the US National Parks system in 1938 the Parkway commemorates
the most significant highway in the old west. It follows a
natural corridor that dates back centuries. As the US expanded
westward in the late 1700s and early 1800s, growing number of
travelers tramped the rough trail into a clearly marked path. In 1801
President Thomas Jefferson designated the Trace a national post road
for mail delivery between Nashville, TN and Natchez, MS.
We drove the Trace from end to end with
the exception on a 90 mile section we missed when we went into
Florence, Alabama to get the Adventure Bus repaired and ended up
driving to Red Bay, AL and around Tupulo MS on back roads before re-entering the Parkway.
There are no commercial vehicles
allowed on the Trace and the speed limit varies between 45 and 50
mph.
We found it a very peaceful and
pleasant three day drive after spending 10 days in Interstate
highways. To us, one of the most interesting spots on the Trace was
this area, about 5 miles wide, where a tornado went through in 2011.
And spots where the “old” Trace was
preserved:
You can stop frequently to check out
historic markers and sites, Indian Mounds, hiking trails, etc but we
pretty much drove straight through, with stays in Florence,AB and Jackson, MS.
I think really, to do the Trace
justice, you need to spend a two week holiday there exploring and
learning about this historic and interesting part of the US.
