Natchez Trace, Part 2

 We've left Natchez and travelled along the Trace to Jackson Mississippi. About 90 miles. Now it's time to explore the Trace north of Jackson. The original Trace was a walking path which was changed to a road as explained on the sign.

Sections of it are being kept up to prevent the trees and bush from growing back in, but it is the original Trace and the original size.

It looks perfect for the Jeep. Bet we could have done it in under 30 days.

This is one of the towns that sprung up along the Trace. Although the buildings are authentic to the era, most have been moved here to create a pioneer town. 

One of the original inns is still serving food so we went back in time.

I'm not sure they used to serve ice cream and I bet it wasn't using styrofoam and plastic. There are lots of information spots along the Trace but very few things to see or do so we're enjoying the novelty.

Just north of Jackson is a giant reservoir caused by damming the Pearl River. Those wild animals in the fore ground seem to be enjoying the spot. Although thousands of acres were flooded, the Trace survived because it usually followed ridges to avoid swamps and wetlands. How fortuitous.

Speaking of Jackson MS, as everyone knows, that's the capital of Mississippi and as you all know, Grammie and I like to check out capitol buildings. Which brings up an interesting fact. Notice how I spelled capital two different ways? If it's spelled with an A it's the town or city which is the states capital. If it's spelled with an O it's the actual legislative building. Bet you didn't know that!

The building in the last photo is the old capitol building. It was opened in 1839 and is the location where the first legislation in the US allowed women to own property and where Mississippi voted to secede from the union, starting the action that resulted in the civil war.

As you probably know, we like to take dome photos so this is from the old capitol building.

 

This is the current capitol building. It was built in 1903 for just over 1 million dollars. Hard to believe isn't it.

This is the dome of the current capitol. Much more spectacular isn't it.

This is the main foyer. State capitols are so impressive. I don't think they could build one like this today. Not only the expense, but a lack of skilled tradesmen.

Even the stairs are marble. Doesn't Grammie look like a southern belle descending the grand staircase?

Time to leave Jackson and head towards our next stop along the Natchez Chase. Our usual pit stop. Damn that coffee.

It's a beautiful drive through the quiet countryside. How idyllic. it's 160 miles to our next stop along roads like this. No traffic; that's how driving should be.

Then we came across a sign saying that the next 10 miles of damage was caused by a tornado in April 2011. Oh yeah, tornado alley, we forgot. How does a tornado do this for 10 miles. I thought they lifted once in awhile. Apparently this particular tornado stayed on the ground for 240 miles and killed over 15 people.

Here's where the tornado veered off the road. The trees coming up look untouched; how arbitrary. Oh, by the way, the radio just announced a chance of tornadoes tonight. If this doesn't scare the crap out of you I guess you're just reading this, not typing it. If you don't get another post from us, well you know what happened. Otherwise TTFN.