Natchez, Mississippi
Season IV - Chapter 3
“Mardi Gras to Maine”
“Leaving No Trace in Natchez”
We cross the Mississippi with the Shamrock in tow for the first time in 8 months; however, our stay on this side of the Big Muddy will be a short two weeks. Vidalia, Louisiana and it’s river front RV park is the ideal location for us. It is spacious, central to our excursions, but more importantly, it offers us a front row seat to the endless activities on the Father of Waters… The Mississippi River.
Natchez beckoned us with it’s promise of a historic pathway that has been traversed by numerous cultures for generations before us. This well worn path has recessed into the earth, with Sunken Trace being a prime example on the route from Nashville, Tennessee to the terminus here in Natchez.
The town of Natchez is rich in history and the location made it a hub for shipping, production, and trade. Those qualities also made it a home for a collection of millionaires second only to New York City. The vestiges of this remain; over 600 antebellum homes and estates can be found around the “City on the Bluff”... it’s troubled past is also on display as the unrest of many Civil Rights battles also took place here.
Mississippi is the birthplace of America’s Music and the Home of the Blues. Five markers on the Blues Trail are scattered amongst the many other locations of historical significance. Our own blues encounter took place at Smoot’s Grocery, the artist and the location a comfortable fit.
Our three motorcycle loops from here can be summed up in one word: tranquil. The pristine condition of the parkway and the slow speed (50 MPH) provide the perfect venue to enjoy the Windsor Ruins, the Grand Gulf Military Museum, and the National Military Park of Vicksburg. Caroline and I are less informed than some about the history of our nation’s Civil War, but our understanding continues to grow.
The river in front of our RV continues to be an artery; supplying life to a nation. We watch in awe as goods, commodities, and people move back and forth across its flowing surface.
No matter what you are looking for; good food, classic architecture, a better understanding of history, or just the kindest of folks, you will find it here...
“Leaving No Trace in Natchez.”
Travel safe and we see you... out on the Trace!
John and Caroline 🍀
Points of Interest:
1. Bike: From our RV park we were able to ride along the river on the bike path to under the bridge. You can continue on to a few of the local businesses including the new “Coconuts” restaurant.
2. Natchez: There are two local recommendations for touring downtown Natchez, Mississippi. There is the Hop-On Hop-Off bus route or the horse and carriage with a tour guide. This town is filled with history starting in the early 1700’s. The biggest claim to fame for this town is the numerous Antebellum homes and plantation homes in the area. So many of these pre-Civil War homes are still standing and in working order, many of which offer tours.
3. Bike: Park at the Natchez Visitor’s Center and pick up a map of the downtown. We chose to ride our bicycles around Natchez which allowed us to have time to stop and read the numerous markers in the town. The historic markers are located throughout the town sharing notable events from the Civil War to Civil Rights as well as the Blue’s Trail. This town is not to be missed.
4. Ride (or drive): The Natchez Trace Parkway is a 444 mile scenic drive that travels through three states that follows the "Old Natchez Trace" all the way to Nashville, Tennessee. This historic travel corridor was used by American Indians, settlers, slave traders, and soldiers. The speed limit is 50 MPH so travel is slow and easy which allows time to stop and read the markers in order to appreciate the history of this area.
5. Hike: There are several hikes along the Natchez Scenic Trail as part of the national Park system, We chose three short hikes: Owens Creek and Rocky Springs Town Site at Milepost 54, Sunken Trace at Milepost 41, and Potkopinu at Milepost 20. We felt honored to cross the path of so many that had walked the trace before us.
6. Music: We took time to stop in at Smoot’s to listen to some local blues music. This area prides itself with being an important part of the “Blues Trail” dating all the way back to 1902 with Bud Scott.
7. Historic photography display: Located at the First Presbyterian Church on State Street in Natchez, this photo display covers over 100 years representing the local people, street scenes, and river history that is quite fascinating. Allow an hour and a small donation in order to tour this special collection.
8. A visit to Natchez is not complete without a tour of the two cemeteries located here. First, the Natchez City Cemetery was established in 1822 on the bluffs high above the Mississippi River with the beautiful grounds and views of the river. Second, the Natchez National Cemetery has a unique wedding cake shape at the back of the cemetery, due to its five level terrace. Our ride through brings to light the long line of “Unknown Soldier” headstones that brings a real appreciation for those that fought for our country long before us.
Scenic Motorcycle Routes:
1. The Natchez Trace Parkway: This parkway is rated as one of the top motorcycle scenic roads and is the main reason we ended up visiting this location. Our goal is to seek out the recommended motorcycle routes and fit them in to our adventure. Contrary to most motorcycle roads, this parkway has easy sweeping curves, a slow speed, and very little traffic. What could be considered less exciting to some turned out being very peaceful and so worthwhile to us. We would definitely recommend riding (or driving) this route for even a short length of it’s 444 miles.
2. Vicksburg: There are over 1300 markers at the Vicksburg National Military Park with a 16 mile scenic drive that takes you to the USS Cairo Gunboat and Museum. We stopped in at the National Park Service visitors center to watch the 10 minute movie. Every day that we have spent here in Mississippi we have continued to learn more about the Civil War. We especially appreciated the USS Cairo and the preservation of that ironclad warship. Do not miss this park.
3. Grand Gulf Military Park: This is part of the Mississippi State Park system and is an extra $10.00 per person. The museum has several interesting artifacts and includes a short drive through the preserved town and battlefield.
4. Windsor Ruins: The ruins consist of 23 standing Corinthian columns of the largest antebellum Greek Revival mansion ever built in the state. Now under a reconstruction project, the mansion stood from 1861 to 1890, when it was destroyed by fire.
RV Location: (Above: Our RV park view at night.)
River View RV Park
800 Martin Luther King Avenue
Vidalia, Louisiana 71373
*Located on the Mississippi River with multiple RV sites, swimming pool, showers, laundry, and small gift shop. We had site number 29 with plenty of room for our RV, truck, and motorcycles.
