Picnic at Natchez Trace Campground

A beautiful camping spot where we heard the frogs sing all night! The birds by day.

We ware winding our way back up the parkway enjoying its serenity.
Here is another traveler!

Popeye's Trip

Jackson Falls

Jackson Falls... a beautiful spot for a picnic and a good hike to the falls.

Named for Andrew Jackson who spent his honeymoon on the trace, did business there, and used part of the trace on his road to Washington as President.

We are very lucky because today when we arrive it is almost 90 degrees. We will enjoy the cool refreshing air around the Falls and have a picnic.

While we were there a man climbed to the top of the falls and found a letter box in the rocks behind. So if you loose your phone connection you can always leave a message at Jackson Falls!

Mount Locust

Mt Locust is the only remaining stand on the Trace. There is a Ranger who works here who was born in the house. Unfortunately he had time off during our time so we have to catch up with him on another trip. The family who owned this home for many generations has donated it to the National Park Service.

It has had some renovations but they are in character. A step back into simple living. The family that ran the stand raised ten children here. Another building no longer standing housed the Trace travelers. Currently there is a garden, soapmaking and other demonstrations on the weekends, a family cemetary and

a slave cemetary that lists the names of the ten who were buried in the cemetary.

A must stop for those researching Black History because the history of the property dates from the time of slavery into the present.

Port Gibson MS

Here are photos of Port Gibson which had surprises for us. We were urged to see the old homes. However, when we arrived things evolved that we were introduced to a homey place of today....first delicious fried chicken dinner for 2.50 at the gas station home cooked by local women, then the charming downtown area with
a craft center and a bright mural done by the town youth depicting their conquest of goals. The old homes and churches were there too and showing signs of needing upkeep.
Many of them were bed and breakfast sites and historical venues. Signs on the street said SAVE CHURCH STREET! This is the area of the ante bellum homes deemed too beautiful to burn.
Next was taking in the Windsor Ruins... just outside of town on the Trace map
we inquired at Fire Station due to lack of signage. We were directed to " a very narrow road." Thankfully we did not encounter any cars going the opposite direction. We scratched and scraped low foliage for ten miles wondering if it
were the road to nowhere when we finally saw a sign beside a rather overgrown path... we had arrived! The ruins are of a large home that burned accidentally in 1890 and they are still grand.

Natchez

Natchez was the end of the Trace and the end of the journey...

A visit to the grocery store was a delightful experience.The food has changed
now adding African,creole, and Cajun to the menu. I bought some ingredients for Jambalaya and for Corn Soup Gumbo.I am wishing I could take it all home with me.
We visited the Bluff overlooking the river, the main streets of the town; There are ante bellum homes here that are places for tourists to visit.
We think looking at the more common place homes is more interesting. Free slaves lived in Natchez during the Civil War under a set of rules. They owned homes
some of which are preserved.There was an interesting Garden, public buildings.
The people are friendly. We ate at the Pig Out Barbeque which is owned by
a transplanted northerner. He tells us that Natchez is really good at survival...
they easily move to Plan B. He thinks its part of their history.

Wednesday April 20th

We are on our way back up the Trace from Natchez where we spent two great days on the banks of the Mississippi in the sunshine.See photo above of the ole miss. Then we went to Rocky Springs campground on Monday night. Then on to Jeff Busby Tuesday night. Met more new friends, had great weather until monsoons came Tuesday night. Left Busby late after spendingtime with family on their way to Houston MS for Make and Break Engine Show. Let the Trace in Martinsen and drove less than a mile to truck stop. When we got out of the motorhome the tornado sirens were sounding.

A man came up to us urging us to go inside.He confirmed that it was tornado siren. I expressed concern that I was leaving my pet in the car. He looked at me intently and said " Ma'm , everything is going to be alright." So we went in. There were ten or so people in the restaurant most of them local. We picked out our food but it was difficult to relax with all the uncertainty. They began watching the
weather maps tracking the tornado. Oh its going right over my house..he interupts then calls his wife at home, then everyone goes oh, its moving....its coming right down 82. This was the road we were on. The tornado did move slightly off to the side... we had one heck of a storm with large hail, wind and rain. The food was great at the Trace Cafe Truckstop. Home cooked meatloaf and country fried steak, sides and desert for just $10 for both of us.
We arrived in Tupelo under another tornado watch. Another wild storm for three to fours hours wind, five inches of rain, hail, everything.
We are ready for a calm day!

Friday April 15th

Friday April 15th we were at Ratcliffe Ferry on the trace .The tornado sirens had started and we moved quickly to get on our way. As we traveled down the parkway the weather began to worsen. We were passing the spot where the Pearl River branches out into the Reservoir. In this area a possum crossed our path. Soon after that it began to hail about pea size, thunder and lightening. We were headed only five miles away for the Ranger Station on the Trace but we could not see anything! Finally when things calmed down we had a delightful visit with the ranger. She was without power and had lots of informal information on what was happening South of us....cars upside down on I 20 and building damage in Clinton and Jackson. More tornados due there we went to the Arts and Crafts Center a few miles off the trace in Ridgeland. Several storms passed over while we were there... and when we left there were still tornados in our path so we decided to have lunch about a half mile away. The motorhome would not start. This continued for about 30 to 40 minutes. Then it started and we went on to the restaurant. After eating the waitress shared with us that about a half hour before we came there were two funnel clouds headed toward the restaurant. After lunch, we went down passed Jackson and Clinton. By the time we arrived at Rocky Springs campground on the trace it was a different day! We were grateful for the blessing of safety today.

Mississippi

Here traveling down the Trace again we stop at the Cypress-Tupelo Swamp.

We learn the process by which the trees standing in the water purify it and provide health to the waterway.

Walking along in this silent garden is a vision of water, trees, and reflections.

Breathtaking!

French Camp

Today it is well up in the 80's, very sunny and we are on the road again

to the South. We stopped just a short distance at French Camp. There is a huge crowd here! They are serving lunch but there is a wait so we take a look at the grounds. There is the carriage of a Choctaw chief, collections of various setttlements, the current Baptist French Camp Academy and Church, a bed and breakfast, bakery and more. If you travel the Trace check it out.

After lunch here....BLT, Roast Beef, Cabbage Soup, and Bread Pudding

we met the only Model A Fire Truck. The owner and his wife were returning from the trip to Natchez. They told us that their home in Arkansas had been seriously damaged in a tornado the day before.

It was noted that these storms were on the way to Mississippi!

On the Trace South... Jeff Busby Campground

We are on the road again heading South on the Natchez Trace Parkway...

We visit some Native American mounds along the way...head toward the

Park's second campground Jeff Bushby. As soon as we arrive we are invited to a music jam with campers from Quebec. They are on the way home from spending the winter in Texas. They are wearing western clothes and speaking French!

The music includes saxophone, flute and guitar. Its a great time of sharing and having fun!

That evening we make some more Canadian friends and share our instruments

and music with them.

The next morning we are back on the Trace headed for the French Camp

which has a long history of settlement from Choctaw chief to Baptist Church School.

TUPELO MISSISSIPPI

Tupelo MS is a fun user friendly city with friendly residents. Of course I told them I was the President of the Elvis Presley Fan Club in Maine!

We took a day off the Trace to visit the Elvis Birthplace( the little white house in the photo), the Tupelo Hardware store( that's Norman in front of the store where Elvis age ten bought his first guitar}, the Auto Museum (one of the many unusual cars in the photo, and Jim's Barbeque. Then we did some needed shopping for supplies bedded down at the Barnes Crossing Campground which is full of birds. Played music on the porch there.

More Model A

We are now making a film of the trip down the Trace! Photos of the Model A and some more conversations with them. They have come from near and far...Washington state...Alaska. Some towed their A's here, some shipped, some drove, and they are off in small groups we see them everywhere!!!

The Model A Club of America

We are meeting up with the Model A Club of America all day!

We are also seeing lots of butterflies migrating back to the north.

We found a group of monarchs getting water for the trip.

We were able to buy non ethanol gas in Tennesee.

The wildflowers are in bloom on the hiking trails!

On Our Way to the Natchez Trace.....

Sunday April 10th we are on our way down the Natchez Trace Parkway a non commercial road created for natural exploration, camping, bicycling, hiking, learning the history of our land. No visit to the Parkway is complete without a visit to the Loveless Cafe at the head of the Parkway beginning on rt 100.

The Parkway goes from Nashville TN to Natchez Mississippi. It follows the old trace, a footpath, once used by Native Americans, and then adopted by the other settlers from the beginning of the US.

The Loveless Cafe is anything but loveless. The food is world famous....with biscuits, barbeque, and southern food a specialty. And it lives up to its reputation.

At the Loveless, we learn that the Model A Club of America is taking a trip down the parkway to Natchez.

Nashville/Cedar Creek Campground

Here we are at Cedar Creek Campground run by the Army Corps of Engineers) on Old Hickory Lake near Nashville...officially Mt Juliet TN. Johnny Cash and June Carter had a home just up the lake north of here. The campground is full of wildlife and generally serene. However, today we arrived in the midst of two events....the second week of April with almost 90 degree weather and the shutdown crisis. Everyone was poised to leave by 2 PM on Sunday if shutdown occurred.

We found our old friend the Great Blue Heron here, played music, met some new friends, waded in the swimming pool, took in the sunsets. By Saturday we had

the word that the place was not closing....everyone was in a celebratory mood in summertime weather. This is one of our favorite campgrounds!

Foods of the South

My favorite food of the south is turnip greens. Here they come with biscuits and pinto beans! Many people put hot sauce on the turnip greens. Lots of choices from

spicy, tiger sauce, to Louisiana fire sauce. For me, I just love turnip greens plain. I love the taste just the way they are.

Greens along with backeyed peas are traditions for New Years Day. They symbolize good luck and prosperity. This tradition dates back prior to the Civil War. The greens symbolize dollars or good crops and the peas coins of gold.

A number of years ago we were in the area for New Year's day and visited a local restuarant.They presented everyone with free turnip greens for good luck.

What about nutrition?

The noticeably bitter taste of turnip greens has been linked by researchers to its calcium content. On an ounce-for-ounce basis, turnip greens contain about 4 times more calcium than a much less bitter-tasting cruciferous vegetables like cabbage. Even in comparison to mustard greens, turnip greens contain about twice the calcium content. High calcium content is not the only reason for the noticeable bitterness of turnip greens, of course. But it may be an important contributing factor. While the commercial food industry has sometimes tried to breed out the bitter-tasting constituents from turnip greens, this practice doesn't make sense if you want to maximize your nourishment from this cruciferous vegetable. A much healthier approach would be the use a recipe and cooking method that brings out the delicious potential of turnip greens in a flavor-blended way.

The connection between turnip greens and cancer prevention should not be surprising since turnip greens provide special nutrient support for three body systems that are closely connected with cancer development as well as cancer prevention. These three systems are (1) the body's detox system, (2) its antioxidant system, and (3) its inflammatory/anti-inflammatory system. Chronic imbalances in any of these three systems can increase risk of cancer, and when imbalances in all three systems occur simultaneously, the risk of cancer increases significantly. Among all types of cancer, prevention of the following cancer types is most closely associated with intake of turnip greens: bladder cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer.

Recipe for Vegetarianreen Turnip Greens

Ingredients 2 pounds turnip greens 1 shallot, chopped 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 cup vegetable stock 1 teaspoon pepper flakes 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard ½ chopped pecans 1 tablespoon olive oil Black pepper Heat olive oil in a large pot. Saute garlic, shallot and pepper flakes until tender. Add the cleaned and cut turnip greens and mix. Saute until the greens wilt and add pepper to taste. Meanwhile, in another bowl, combine the mustard and vegetable stock and whisk together. Add to the pot and cook the greens until the liquid is virtually gone. Remove from heat and add the pecans. Enjoy!

Blackberries

Blackberries grow widely in Tennessee and are put up in the season to enjoy all winter long. Today I enjoyed traditional blackberry cobbler with ice cream.In Tennessee there are five different festivals to celebrate the blackberry.

I started thinking about blackberries and here is what I found out: Like all berries, blackberries contain ellagic acid, an antioxidant that has been shown to protect the skin from ultraviolet damage. New research is finding that ellagic acid may not only protect the skin from damage, but also repair skin damaged by the sun. Also, according to the American Cancer Society, laboratory research has shown that ellagic acid may have anti-cancer properties.Reading on you will find blackberries are low calorie and full of vitamin C and have lots of health benefits. Here in Tennessee there is also blackberry frozen yogurt available , blackberry pie, and blackberry jams both seedless and with seeds.

So now I wonder if the seedless have as many health benefits! Well it turns out that the seeds have particular nutrition. They contain omega 3 fatty acids as well as helpful protein.

Historically, there is some evidence that blackberries were consumed 2500 years ago.

Breakfast at the water's edge

Here is breakfast one fine morning at the water's edge! The water is rushing and giving us a constant blessing of sound. Otherwise it is silent.The campground is virtually empty. Water is not only a major component of who we are as humans and a gift of life, it is a source of joy and relaxation. As we camp here on the water, we give thanks for this beautiful gift!

Carter Fold

Saturday Evening at the Carter Fold is a heart opening experience. Tonight we heard Audie Baylock and his Bluegrass Band. We again experienced the warm welcoming of Rita Forrester and her helpers!

One of the highlights of the evening were the three songs of a young man with many physical challenges whose voice filled the hall with passion and love. He received three standing ovations from the crowd.Not a dry eye in the place.( He is on the left in the photo above center.)

We camped overnight here. Since some arrangements had changed we had some parking adventures, almost impaled on a tree in front of the old Carter homestead!!!! Then the move out from this predicament to the parking lot with slants in all directions. We finally bedded down by the barn after all the cars had left!