The Natchez Trace Parkway

We are off and running. We normally stay off of Interstates but with our need to get south without hitting freezing temperatures our first two days were long miles and Interstates. Our second night was a few miles Knoxville, TN. With most campgrounds open we did not pick and chose where to stay rather it was the first one we could find open past Knoxville. Situated right next to the Interstate we were thinking it would be a noisy night yet to our surprise it was quiet. Add to that modern and clean restrooms and a convenient site all was great.

The next morning we headed west along the Interstate to Nashville. Approaching Nashville we passed destruction from the Tornados that hit the area last week. This included many uprooted and felled trees, destroyed building, and hundreds upon hundreds of blue tarp covered homes and commercial buildings. There is much more work to do.

A few miles southwest of Nashville we got on the Natchez Trace Parkway, a 440 mile National Park that snakes through 3 states heading south and west with the southern part ending in Natchez, Mississippi. Once on the Trace we slow down and finally begin seeing the world beyond Gas, Food, Lodging.

That night we camped in a National Parkway campground. Our site was both secluded and calming. We are enjoying our escape from the northern March.

We spent the next day driving along the Trace Parkway at a delightful 40-50 mph frequently stopping to enjoy the sights. After 200 miles we found another National Parkway campground where we stopped making it an early day.