I keep thinking that we will be soon out of these hills. But they just keep coming one after another. They are gentle but long. My legs and butt are feeling the fatigued of seven days of pedaling.
After seven wonderful days, and 414 miles we pull into Natchez Mississippi.. We take showers at Russ and Cindy ‘s hotel and then meet at the waterfront for a delicious celebration meal.

Port Gibson Mississippi to Natchez Mississippi . 38 warm and sunny miles.

It was a great trip with a wonderful bunch of friends. I got thinking we should do it South to north next year, and then my mind returned to just enjoy them moment of feeling relief and accomplishment. Put this Natchez Trace Parkway on your list of things to see. THE END
Cheers,
Freebird

Jeff Bugsby Park MS to Russ Barnett Reservoir camp (just north of Jackson MS) 61 miles of warm Mississippi sunshine.

We get an early start because we don’t have to pack up camp. It’s Sunday morning and there is very little traffic just like always on the Natchez Trace. Riding into the little historic town of French Camp we notice a church parking lot full of Sunday worshipers and ask about breakfast places. We are told that everything is closed on Sundays. We ride on and munch on energy bars and leftovers from our food bags. Our day is spent enjoying the sunshine and the beautiful scenery as we pedal along the Trace. The hike around Cypress Swamp goes without a gator sighting, yet there is something magical about these monstrous trees growing out of the water. We pull into a private campground and pay the $5.00 camp fee. It is our first paid site and comes with a shower – well kind of a shower . Let’s just say it was warm and wet:). Camp happy is set up on a flat area just above the water. My friends joke about me becoming gator bait as night falls in the Mississippi Bayou. The only real predators turns out to be the mosquitoes. I crawl into my little tent (camp happy) close my eyes and listen to the wild songs from the birds and animals of the Bayou. Two owls hoot from a tree above lull me to sleep.

Colbert Ferry Alabama to Natchez Trace camp just outside Tupelo Mississippi 68 miles of sunshine.
The Colbert Ferry campsite proves to be the best yet. Hearing the hoot from a pair of owl in a nearby tree and seeing a beautiful starlit night sky was a real treat, as was waking up to a dry tent. It seems as though I am once again starting to appreciate the little pleasures and awareness that this kind of travel brings. After a camp breakfast of oatmeal, tortillas with peanut butter, and hot tea we hit the road and begin the day with our warm weather gear. It only takes the first big hill and we are stripping off hats, gloves, and leg warmers. The day warms up nicely. In the afternoon, Maja and Dan arrive with a lunch from a local food truck. We fill our bellies with hush puppies, catfish, and everything deep fried and southern. It makes it somewhat difficult to get back on the bikes.
In late afternoon we pull into our campsite just outside Tupelo. For the first time on this trip we set up camp in daylight and have time to build a nice camp fire. I am pooped from the days ride and hit the sleeping bag early. Others follow my lead and the camp is quiet by 9PM. So much for party animals.

Nashville TN to Merriwether Lewis National Monument, 60 cold misty miles on the beautiful Natchez Trace. We unload the bikes and gear at the Loveless Cafe which is the northern terminus of the Trace. My friends Dan, Brad, Seth, and Maja are here. Also Russ and Cindy from Iowa on a tandem. Within the first mile we cross over a high valley bridge. It’s an Architectural wonder and the view from the top is breathtaking partly because of the climb but also for the view of the valley below (see photos). We climb and descend all morning. We are blessed with a north wind that helps our spirits but not our cold fingers and toes. We stop for lunch and eat our sandwiches at the beautiful Jackson Falls. Recent rains have it flowing fast and loud. We pass clear little streams in every valley. The afternoon climbs are gentle but very long. They have names like “nine mile ridge “ and “Baker Bluff lookout “. It’s a test for both my legs and lungs. We pull into the campsite just as the sun sets behind the Tennessee ridge. The cold air settles in the valley and I smile as I crawl inside my sleeping bag and call it a day knowing that horse and I are back on the road to adventure. Thanks for coming along. Only 414 miles to go 😎🚴🏻.

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