Our First StopJun 9, 2007
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Entrance to Natchez Trace
The Old Natchez Trace
Our first stop after leaving Georgia was in Lawrenceburg, TN - home of the legendary Davy Crockett...king of the wild frontier. After living in western TN for many years as a successful businessman and then serving in Congress, David Crockett later fought, and died, at the Alamo. A state park has been erected in his name and honors one of Tennessee's most famous native sons. This area is also heavily populated with the Amish. You see horse and buggies everywhere, and many businesses have hitching posts and water troughs for the horses. One can travel the back country roads and stop in at an Amish farm and purchase whatever it is they have for sale.
The main reason we picked this area of Tennessee was to ride the Natchez Trace on our Harleys. The Natchez Trace was originally an Indian footpath, and in the late 1700's was used by Ohio River Valley farmers as a means of getting back home after floating their goods to Natchez or New Orleans. Because they sold the boats for lumber, they had no choice but to walk or ride back. The trail extends from Nashville, TN some 444 miles to Natchez, MS. What a hike! In the late 1930's, the modern Natchez Trace Parkway was built and parellels the old trace. In many places you can see (and hike) the original trace, and we even rode the bikes on a 2.5 mile section. In 1995, the trace was designated an All-American Road by the National Scenic Byways Program. We spent a couple of days riding the trace, first North and then South and we were reminded of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Great riding! One day we'll take the time to ride the entire distance.
A couple of pictures are attached (I'm still figuring all this out). FYI...our next stop is Bowling Green, KY. Watch for a report.
