Natchez Trace 50th birthday bike tour - report and pics

[Zen]

So what was the slave cemetery like? Did the graves have any markers?

Which woman was 76?

Did they have Nutella at the rest stops?

Were both women also mechanics?

Excellent documentation and captioning!

[KathiCville]

LOL, Zen!.....

No, no Nutella, but plenty of other goodies. Snacks ran the gamut from fruits like bananas/apples/raisins, to Clif Bars, MM's, and trail mix. Patty and Laurie set up a table in the morning, so right after breakfast you nabbed your snacks before setting off.

Lunches were usually sandwich fixings, salads, cheeses, plus cookies and, yum, chocolate.......Sodas, sport drinks, water/water/water..........Dinners were at above-average restaurants--a couple of them VERY good---easy to overindulge!

The 76-year old was a gal named Bobbie from the Northern Neck of Virginia. She was one of four women on the trip from a group called the WETBI's, the full name of which escapes me. (Women's Expeditionary Something Something International). Basically a lively bunch of women who get together en masse or in small groups to try out different sports or spots---dog-sledding, kayaking, etc. I don't think any of them is particularly athletic---just game for trying new ventures. Bobbie didn't do all of the mileage, but had a ball from start to finish. I rarely saw her without a grin on her face.

The slave cemetery--as you might guess---had ONE marker, small, un-engraved. A sign gave a little history, and offered a few names of people who are believed to be buried there..........Mount Locust was interesting, in part because the NPS ranger there is a descendant of the original owners. He's been written up here and there, and if you tell him you recognize his name---Eric Chamberlain---he'll pull out some family memorabilia that he doesn't normally show visitors.

As for Patty and Laurie's mechanical skills....yep, both can probably pull apart and put together bikes in their sleep. I don't know what kind of tools they had with them in the van, but when it came to fixing and tweaking stuff, they both seemed to be right on top of things. I never worried that I was going to have a mechanical problem that couldn't be fixed quickly by one or the other.

[SouthernBelle]

Sounds like a lovely trip.

But if you only went to Natchez, you didn't get anywhere near the end of the Trace. The Park's part ends in southern Middle Tennessee, but the actual Trace is a trail from Nashville to Natchez.

[sandra]

I had no idea you were right here so close to me. I should have signed up and done it with you. I wish I had known.

I'm glad you enjoyed our area!!! Happy Belated Birthday!

[SlowButSteady]

Happy birthday!

Sounds like a great time, and your pictures are beautiful.

[bmccasland]

Kathi - that looked like loads of fun! Gives me an idea for my 50th, next year, anyone want to join me?

[sbctwin]

Your ride report was wonderful. The pics great. It really does sound like a lot of fun. I may have to look into one of these tours...