Day 6-Canton to Natchez State Park

Day 6, Monday, March 24 Canton to Natchez State Park
Got cold last night. Down to the mid-30’s. Since McDonalds was on the way out of town we stopped there for breakfast. Sunny today but cool. Highs will only be in the mid to high 50’s. We stopped at the Rocky Springs site for a little hike. In the first half of the 1800’s it was a prosperous little town, but when steamships arrived on the Mississippi River the foot traffic on The Trace dwindled and the town died. The only thing that remains is the Methodist Church with a great cemetery—lot’s of old headstones and hanging Spanish Moss. The interior of the church reminded me of the Leiters Ford Church. We had been eagerly waiting for a historic site called Locust Hill which is what, in the Midwest, we call a tavern where one can get a drink, meal, or room to stay. When we got there it was closed to the public since it appears they were putting a new roof on it. The old roof was probably only seventy five to one hundred years old, and yet we manage to arrive just now. Our destination today was Natchez State Park, and due to Locust Hill being closed we arrived early. We’ve checked in for two nights and have a great spot. We have one of two sites located at the lower portion of the campground. We disconnected from the trailer, set up camp, and then headed to Natchez to find the visitors center and sort of get a lay of the land. Natchez is a small and compact old city. Since the streets are narrow, most of them are one way which helps when driving Moby Dodge. We found Franklin Street where there are several antique shops. And we’ve selected three mansions to tour. We’re not quite sure how we’re going to get this done with Tippy in tow, but we’ll figure it out. According to the weather guy this should be the last cold night. Tomorrow we should see temp’s in the 70’s and the low tomorrow night will be in the 50’s. Jamie

Well, we found spring!!! The trees are well into their leafing out process and the wildflowers at our campsite are farther along. Outside our door as you will see in the picture, is a beautiful full flowered dogwood tree. Natchez is a beautiful old prosperous river town that is currently overrun with tourists for the Pilgrimage, an annual event. The tourists pay to see the grand old homes of the south. It is quite an organized operation and the garden clubs are making a killing on the tickets. In town the azaleas in every color imaginable are blooming. We are in the beautiful old south at springtime. Lovely! Betsy
Picture 1. Our beautiful campsite at Natchez State Park and 2. Rocky Springs trail