3800 miles since leaving San Diego and without a doubt, the most beautiful drive so far has been the Natchez Trace (French for Trail) Parkway - a 440 mile road through MS, AL and TN following the Natchez Trace road President Jefferson had made from century old Indianand animal trails.
The drive goes through the most beautiful country. Almost the entire length, the Trace is shielded from civilization by walls of trees and brush.
The original road created 200 years ago was nearly impassable with sucking swamps and thick dense forests, hostile Indians, dangerous animals, heat, insects carrying diseases - I couldn't help comparing my journey on a nearly seamless smooth asphalt road with air conditioning and my favorite music.
200 yrs from now perhaps a traveller will want to recreate my car driven journey because teleportation may be the only means of travel?
There's more history along the Trace than you can read in a few days. Old buildings like this inn still exist, a short hike back in the forest.
Swamps all along the Trace are available to explore.
I found this orange snake eating another one its same size.
For a short hike, many pioneer graveyards could be found -
... and ruins of grand old plantations long ago burned to the ground.
Looking down a portion of the original old Trace.
Because there's no lodging on the Trace, I got off and spent the night in Tupelo MS and visited Elvis' birthplace.
The room where Elvis and his stillborn twin brother were born. Billy works at the site and tells fascinatings stories about it all.
Hello Billy, if you're reading this now! It was very nice to meet you!
