Natchez Trace Parkway

This Recreational Parkway has a long line of History

Jackson, Mississippi-State Capital city

Spanish Moss in Southern Mississippi

Roadside Friend

Rural Mississippi

Where your treasure is, there is your heart.
                                                Mathew 6:21

The Natchez Trace Parkway is a modern road designed for recreational travel including bicyclists. Commercial vehicles aren't allowed on the Parkway. This 500 mile stretch of road goes from Natchez, MS to Nashville, TN. This stretch of road actually was designed by early Americans as a route between Washington D.C. and New Orleans, LA. This corridor is rich in Civil War and early American history. It's a quiet, peaceful and very clean road to travel on. Such a nice change of pace from the big highways. Camping, historical areas, and rest areas are state of the art on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

I had the opportunity to visit The Emerald Mound near Natchez. This mound was built by early Americans by removing trees and by moving earth by hand to form a high oasis where they socialized. The basic dimensions of this marvel reminded me of a well known archeological site in Oaxaca, MX, called Mount Albon. Mount Albon however was constructed with stone and rests in a higher elevation with a drier climate. In comparing these two sites though, I've concluded that the Indians who constructed the Emerald Mound were influenced by the Mayan Indians who constructed Mount Albon, or visa versa.

Port Gibson MS, was a unique layover. This is one of the few cities that General Grant didn't burn to to ground when he terrorized this region during the civil war. So many lives were lost. Was it worth it? I feel time spent in this region gives me more humility about our nation's history. I'm glad the war is over now and I can live in peace in this region.