1100 MILES LATER....

A week has gone by already with lots of miles in between. I wasn't expecting to leave on Monday the 4th but with the blowing wind and the fact that I have to be in Nashville on the 7th to meet Dave at the airport, we left Goose Island State Park at 4 PM and headed northeast on US-59 towards Houston. With a few stops along the way for gas and 'Houdi time' we arrived in Houston just in time for rush hour! That caused a bit of a 'white-knuckle' drive, especially since it was starting to get dark but my GPS guided me through the city just fine.

On to the I-10 east, looking for a good place to stop, I decided on Winnie since I was familiar with the area. Just as I got off the highway, Dave called and mentioned that 'Doug' had stopped at the Walmart in Beaumont TX so, with only another 19 miles to go, off to the Walmart we went. Doug was right, it was reasonably quiet with other RVers parked for the night.

Tuesday morning I got back on the I-10 east and turned north at Baton Rouge, Louisiana onto US-61 N towards Natchez, Mississippi where the Natchez Trace Parkway starts. This is a favourite route for me because there are hardly any other cars on the road; the speed limit is 50 mph and it's so nice and peaceful. It's 444 miles long from Natchez MS, through three states to Nashville TN.
The first free campground we came to is called Rocky Springs. It was still early but it was a much needed break from driving so Houdi and I explored the trails, his favourite pastime. Then, continuing up the Natchez Trace we exited in Jackson to get gas and returned to the Trace to find another campground called Jeff Busby, where we could stop for the night. By this time it was getting dark and I was a bit worried that I might hit a deer since there were so many of them lurking along the side of the road at night. 

Wednesday morning, up early and on our way. Next gas stop was in Tupelo MS and then back to the Trace. There are lots of places to stop and explore along the way. Once we crossed the Tennesee River bridge we were in Alabama. It was getting colder now and the winds were brutal but we had to walk the shores of the river! Another great stop was Davis Lake. It's a 'pay-per-use' area but very pretty and 4 miles off the beaten path...very peaceful.

I was planning to stay at Meriwether Campground for the night but it was so chilly, and there were no other campers in sight. I was also having battery problems. It seems they wouldn't last through the night so I decided to head for Nashville and look for a campground with hookups, but with one last little bit of exploring at a place called Swan Lake on the trails at Meriwether. I think Houdi was smiling as he ran up and down the creek!

 

 



Little Swan Creek

 

So here I am at a place called Nashville I-24 Campground in Smyrna, TN. It's freezing!! 34 F degrees last night and it's only 43 degrees now at noon! I have to come back and do the Trace again when it's warmer and I can spend at least a month traveling and exploring. What a fabulous Parkway!

Get the washing done and then head to the airport....let the fun begin!