At the 438 mile marker the Natchez Trace crosses Birdsong Hollow 155 feet above the valley on the 1,648 foot Highway 96 double Arch Bridge; also known as the Natchez Trace Parkway Arches.
While not as high as some bridges that cross waterways, such as the Bob Graham Sunshine Skyway Bridge over Tampa Bay, Florida, there is an impressive since of grandeur about the expanse over a picturesque valley. While the Natchez bridge is not as high as the Tampa Bay Bridge (at 430 feet) it is 400 feet longer. In addition it is permissible to park and walk across the beautiful bridge for an impressive view of the valley. On one side of the bridge is a hidden treasure that can be found by venturing under the span for an additional view near the overlook.
On my last day on the Natchez Trace I ventured off the Trace in Alabama to locate a place that I had read about years before: the Coon Dog Memorial Cemetery near Cherokee, Alabama. It was a winding drive that was longer than anticipated and wasn’t as well marked as advertised. Just about the time I started hearing the tune from deliverance in the back of my head I arrived.
While there I met a couple of sisters and a husband who had traveled further than me to this out of the way memorial. They were from Michigan and North Carolina and like me were driving the Natchez Trace. The rest of the drive to the end of the trail we would cross paths at several stops along the way.
I’m not one for celebrity worship, but some characters rise to a level that when given an opportunity I might investigate. Elvis Pressley’s hometown of Mississippi was a short distance from the Natchez Trace and I needed gas so I ventured into town. I limited my visit to the downtown area and was pleasantly surprised. The tributes to the King were not over the top and the downtown was around the courthouse had some interesting features.
This fountain has to be the simplest but most interesting fountain I've ever seen.
TUPELO, MS.:
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Beginning Mileage: 133,546 miles Trail miles: 444 YTD Miles: 1141 Major Rivers Crossed: Clinch, Caney Fork, Stoney.
The Natchez Trace Parkway is a national park that runs along the ancient Natchez Trail from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. It is about 440+ miles with no stop signs, traffic lights, gas stations, billboards, power lines, or businesses. Just an occasional speed limit sign (50 MPH), picnic or rest area, wooden mile markers, and many historical and sightseeing stops. A smooth 2-lane road through a beautiful, rolling and pristine landscape. A historical trail that was created by migrating bison and other herds of animals. The ‘trace’ of a trail they created over centuries was taken up and used by hunting and trading partners of the Natchez area native-Americans. These Native-Americans were followed by Kentucky and Tennessee trappers and farmers who would float their goods down river to trade in Natchez, Mississippi followed by a long hike back home via the trace to Nashville, Tennessee and points beyond. Later slave traders and armies would march the road.
The Natchez Trace Parkway crossing the Tennessee River.
Like most of my routes on this 49 State Road Trip I am planning my route along historical and significant routes, such as; the Wilderness Road, Route 66, the Old National Road (US 40), etc.
The Natchez Trace is one of the oldest known road/trails in America and like the Cumberland Gap and Kentucky segment of the Wilderness Road was probably originally established by centuries of bison and other herds finding paths from one part of the country to another creating trails that were further used by Native-Americans for hundreds of years.
BUCKET LIST ITEM COMPLETE!!!
One of original bucket list items was to hike or bike the Natchez Trace, with an artificial hip that goal was modified to driving the Trace. It took 4 days, an intentionally casual and insightful drive, to complete.
Beginning Mileage: 133,767 miles Todays miles: 347 YTD Miles: 714
Left Lake Grenada latter than planned and took I-55 south to Natchez. Spent part of the early afternoon driving around downtown Natchez, this place is worth a second visit with more time to explore. was pressed to get on the Natchez Trail in order to get back to Lake Grenada (campsite) before dark.
