April 26, 2012. Jackson, Mississippi. The Natchez Trace.

Today we drove the Natchez Trace from Natchez to Jackson.  It was a lovely drive.  Dave and Irene commented that it was similar to driving around Stanley Park in Vancouver except  no water right beside.   The trees were big and lush as was the grass.  The traffic was nonexistent.  We saw about ten cars all morning, at least until we got to Jackson.  

The Natchez Trace is an old road, used by Native Americans.   Then it became a path for returning boaters walking back up north to return south again on the Mississippi River with more goads to sell at New Orleans.   The thieves and floods made for a dangerous path but with the advent of steam engines and trains, the Trace fell into disrepair.  In 1930, folks began to restore the old Trace and by 1995 it became a National Parkway.  You must drive 50 mph.  if you keep going, you would end up in Nashville.   The distance from Natchez to Jackson was perfect  and all four enjoyed the journey.