The Rideau River at Burritt's Rapids, Ont.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Cancun, Mexico on November 11th.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

It might take us two weeks to do the Natchez Trace!

The rain stopped, but the skies never really cleared up. Still, it gave us a chance to get out and do some hiking. We chose the loop trail that goes around the property here at Meriwether Lewis Campground on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

Still a little chilly, but so long as there is no snow, and we can hike... we're doing fine!

It was a 5 mile (8 km) loop...

Us, by the stream. 

Another stream.

Old wooden fence.

Nobody else on the trails.

Meriwether Lewis is buried here. He was only 35 years old when he died of gunshot wounds. 
The debate continues as to whether this was due to murder, or suicide.

I wonder if this big old tree could tell he story...?

The old Natchez Trace trail.


The Natchez Trace.

We're heading out of here this morning. Not going very far though! There is a lot to see along the Natchez Trace Parkway. And although there are only three official campgrounds that are part of the Trace itself, there are many opportunities for camping (both free, and paid) along the 444 mile (710 km) route and we want to check some of them out. It might take us two weeks to do the Natchez Trace!

So, the first stop today will be a boat launch area of the Laurel Hill Wildlife Management Area where I have read that you can boondock only a mile or so off the Trace. If that doesn't seem feasible, we'll carry on the the town of Collinwood, which is right along the Trace. Apparently they are very friendly to travelers along the Trace, and they have a visitors center (which may or may not be open) that should be able to direct us to somewhere to park for the night in town, and the municipal waste water treatment plant that should have somewhere to dump our tanks.

Either way, it won't be a long travel day!

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New model out from Shop Vac... super sucking power!


And in Canada...



22 comments:

  1. Taking notes! Am curious if the CG's can accommodate a 40' MH.

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    1. Some of the sites here at the Meriwether Lewis Campground will probably accommodate you. Some of the sites are pull though, but radius might be tight with the trees. Might be a height problem in some sites too with tree branches. You should be able to make your way around the turn around loop at the end.

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  2. We traveled the trace two years ago, loved it! We stayed in Tishamongo State Park and a COE Campground north of Jackson called, Goshen Springs (3 miles east of trace).

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    1. The state park is open year round, but at $22 USD ($29 CAD) per night, it's a bit expensive for us. The COE park is closed at this time of year.

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  3. Really large trees there - such an old forest

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  4. There is so much to see along the trace I am sure you will enjoy it. We found a a few campgrounds were closed at this time of year.

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  5. I noticed on the weather map it is cold right down to Florida!

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    1. Elspeth, so strange! AND, it was just announced on our local TV weather station here in Charleston, SC that it was snowing in Houston, TX, which is even stranger.

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  6. Replies
    1. We'll see how it goes, the cold could change those plans a bit by rushing us ahead a little.

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  7. Boy does that area look so different in without the leaves on the trees. Still pretty beautiful though.

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    Replies
    1. I know, I have said to Kevin a couple of times over the last couple of days that I wonder what it would be like here with the leaves on the tress. One day maybe we will get a chance to see that.

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  8. I've looked into doing the trace several times and always figured it would takes us two weeks, maybe even more. Glad you are enjoying it.

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    Replies
    1. And what would be wrong with that? :-) We are taking the time to see it and it could take us about that long.

      I am sure that you and David would love the drive along it and all the points of interest on and off the Trace. You should start planning it. ;-)

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  9. A very nice picture of you two

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  10. Yes a lovely photo but form the looks of things much too chilly for me.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Contessa! Yes, it is a little chilly, even for us but it should start getting better by Sunday or Monday.

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  11. Nothing like bundling up and enjoying fresh air!

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    1. We would prefer not to have to bundle up and the thought has occurred to us to just keep driving until we hit the warmth but then we would miss so much so we will just tough it out for a few more days. ;-)

      The fresh air is nice though. :-)

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  12. We did the Trace last year, You will love it.

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    1. So glad to hear that you enjoyed it. We did it back in 2009 so this is a return trip for us and we loved it then as well as now. Back then it took us about 5 or 6 days, this time it will be closer to 2 weeks. Lots to see both on and off of the parkway.

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