Th Nathcez Trace Parkway was first on our list for Sunday morning.
I had heard of the Trace previously from members of the cycling club I belong to. The Trace starts near Nashville and ends in Natchez, Mississippi nearly 450 mile later.
The Natchez Trace Parkway follows one of the most historic routes in America, The Natchez Trace.
The Trace began, as early as 1733, as a series of trails that began on the banks of the Mississippi River in the southwestern corner of Mississippi in what is now Natchez. The area was inhabited by the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes and was heavily traveled by French traders and trappers. By 1810, the Natchez Trace was, perhaps, the most heavily traveled "road" in what was then the American Southwest. Within a less than a decade, however, traffic on the Trace was diminished significantly due to the increased use of steamboats to move goods and passengers along the Mississippi River.
The pioneering travelers that continued to use the Trace, on into the 1820s, stayed in the 50 or so inns that dotted the passage between Nashville and Natchez. Thus, the once bustling trail became a quiet thoroughfare serving mostly local traffic reverting to its more primitive condition that would last for more than a century.
The modern day Natchez Trace Parkway closely follows the original path and is designed for the unhurried traveler. It is designed to preserve the historical significance of the Trace and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. It is a true artistic statement.
This write-up by cyclist Glenn Oster gives a good overview of the Trace
Stretching from the Mississippi River in Natchez through the Shoals area in Alabama and across the Tennessee Valley to Nashville, the Old Trace was first trod by buffalo, then American Indians. In the early 1800's it was the main return route for Ohio Valley traders who, rather than fight the Mississippi currents, sold their flatboats for the value of their timber in Natchez and walked home via the Old Trace. By the mid-1820's, steamboats made the dangerous trek unnecessary, and the Old Trace disappeared into the trees.
Beauty
Today, the 444-mile National Scenic Byway and All-American Road has emerged as one of America's most important examples of our nation's natural and cultural heritage. Administered by the National Park Service, the road's non-commercial environment coupled with a wide variety of historic sites, wayside exhibits and beautiful venues make it a memorable destination for an unhurried trip that both reveals and explains a unique time in our country's history.
Recreation
Visitors today will discover richly scenic areas, numerous hiking trails, picnic sites, campgrounds and water recreation areas. Hiking on the Parkway presents both challenges and rewards. Over 60 miles of National Scenic Trail and 28 different hiking and self-guiding trails are open year-round. RVing on the parkway offers a great ride, and motorcycling is popular with hundreds of miles of scenic, winding road between Natchez and Nashville.
Th Nathcez Trace Parkway was first on our list for Sunday morning.
I had heard of the Trace previously from members of the cycling club I belong to. The Trace starts near Nashville and ends in Natchez, Mississippi nearly 450 mile later.
The Natchez Trace Parkway follows one of the most historic routes in America, The Natchez Trace.
The Trace began, as early as 1733, as a series of trails that began on the banks of the Mississippi River in the southwestern corner of Mississippi in what is now Natchez. The area was inhabited by the Choctaw and Chickasaw tribes and was heavily traveled by French traders and trappers. By 1810, the Natchez Trace was, perhaps, the most heavily traveled "road" in what was then the American Southwest. Within a less than a decade, however, traffic on the Trace was diminished significantly due to the increased use of steamboats to move goods and passengers along the Mississippi River.
The pioneering travelers that continued to use the Trace, on into the 1820s, stayed in the 50 or so inns that dotted the passage between Nashville and Natchez. Thus, the once bustling trail became a quiet thoroughfare serving mostly local traffic reverting to its more primitive condition that would last for more than a century.
The modern day Natchez Trace Parkway closely follows the original path and is designed for the unhurried traveler. It is designed to preserve the historical significance of the Trace and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape. It is a true artistic statement.
This write-up by cyclist Glenn Oster gives a good overview of the Trace
The info below is from: http://www.scenictrace.com/
Stretching from the Mississippi River in Natchez through the Shoals area in Alabama and across the Tennessee Valley to Nashville, the Old Trace was first trod by buffalo, then American Indians. In the early 1800's it was the main return route for Ohio Valley traders who, rather than fight the Mississippi currents, sold their flatboats for the value of their timber in Natchez and walked home via the Old Trace. By the mid-1820's, steamboats made the dangerous trek unnecessary, and the Old Trace disappeared into the trees.
BeautyToday, the 444-mile National Scenic Byway and All-American Road has emerged as one of America's most important examples of our nation's natural and cultural heritage. Administered by the National Park Service, the road's non-commercial environment coupled with a wide variety of historic sites, wayside exhibits and beautiful venues make it a memorable destination for an unhurried trip that both reveals and explains a unique time in our country's history.
RecreationVisitors today will discover richly scenic areas, numerous hiking trails, picnic sites, campgrounds and water recreation areas. Hiking on the Parkway presents both challenges and rewards. Over 60 miles of National Scenic Trail and 28 different hiking and self-guiding trails are open year-round. RVing on the parkway offers a great ride, and motorcycling is popular with hundreds of miles of scenic, winding road between Natchez and Nashville.