Natchez Trace

It is a bummer getting old. But it is one of the prices you pay for living and it sure as hell beats the alternative. One of the bright sides is that when you retire YOU own your time and for the most part you choose how to use it.
About a month ago I had planned on doing another Natchez Trace ride (I had done one last spring) with fourtyhourdays but I got pretty sick the night before we were to leave and had to cancel. He went on the ride anyway and filed a nice report upon returning. Well, the other night I was looking at my social calender and realized it was wide open.......the weather man was predicting great weather.......and I had never unpacked the Red Rocket from the planned ride that I missed, it was loaded, fueled and ready to go.
Decisions, decisions.
So sunday night I announce to SOQS that I would be blasting off the next morning on the Rocket and heading down the Natchez Trace with an open ended trip plan. She says "have fun". That's another benefit of getting older.
So monday morning I recheck the oil, recheck the tire pressures, recheck the chain, kiss SOQS, and blast off.
Weather was severe clear and cool. Perfect. To get to the Trace from where I live I have to ride about 45 minutes but it is a nice ride which takes me thru the countryside and into the town of Franklin TN. I learned a long time ago it is best to leave on a trip with a full tank and an empty bladder so that is what I did. I also picked up a Chic-filet sandwich which would be lunch that day.The Trace is just outside Franklin and I had to stop for the obligatory pic, which by the way was the first time I have used the timer on my new camera. No tripod so I had to use a high tech rock that I found that seemed to work fairly well.
Let me tell you that the Trace is by no means a peg dragging, mirror kissing, Dragon. It is a different kind of ride...........absolutely no traffic, beautiful countryside, lots of trees, and no commercial buildup of any kind. Just like the Blue Ridge Parkway. No gas stations, no billboards, no trucks, no nothing. The speed limit is 50.........I did between 55 and 60 and never saw Johnny Law once. You will see from my pics that the Trace meanders. It gives the traveler time to soak in the beauty of a solitary ride.
I had plenty of time to think about things. It is true that the older you get the more you appreciate little things that you might not have even noticed when younger. The leaves had passed their max color but they were still beautiful. Lots of them on the road.......careful! But they were dry and I enjoyed watching in my mirror as they swirled in the wake of the Red Rocket.
I stopped for lunch and got to listen to a Mocking bird tell me all about it. Incredible that they can mimic about 20 different birds........and it is the State Bird of Tennessee. For all his work I left him with some tidbits which he enjoyed.
On down the road I reached the Meriwether Lewis (as in Lewis and Clark) park and stopped in to see the monument. I commented to another traveler that for as big an explorer that Lewis was, the monument dedicated to him isnt much to see. He died at the ripe old age of 35 under mysterious circumstances at this spot. Some say he committed suicide while others say some robbers did him in. In any event, it boggles the mind to consider what he and Clark did in their travels. I am suprised there hasnt been a movie of note using their trip west as the plot kinda along the lines of True Grit.
Heading further south I finally arrive at Tishamingo State Park and check into the primitive camping area. I wish I had taken a pic of the rutted road going up the big hill that I had to navigate on the fully loaded Red Rocket. Lots of leaves covering the ruts, lots of rocks and exposed roots...........took my time and made it thru the minefield without stepping on one. I was the only one there and really enjoyed the solitude. Very quiet. Nice campsite. Set everything up just before dark, got the campfire going and then had some chicken teryaki by Mountain House. Hit the spot. Rolled into the tent very early and slept very well thanks to my new Thermarest air mattress..........that thing is incredible. It was almost a full moon and believe it or not I was awoken by a pack of coyotes holling at the moon. I have heard single coyotes howling but never a pack.........there must have been 8 to 10 of them and it went on for quite a while. Really sounded cool.
I knew there was some bad weather heading in from the west so I decided to head on home. Nice little 2 day outandback. Just what I needed. Like I said before, it seems like the older I get the more little things mean. The air was absolutely clean and fresh........the smells of fall in the air was like a perfume. The sky seemed more blue and the clouds seemed whiter. The road itself is in perfect condition being smooth as silk. And the Red Rocket ran like a ........Honda. For some reason it just seemed to be running smoother than ever before. It is a good feeling to be out in the boonies and just know in your heart that your machine is not going to let you down. I averaged 53.4mpg over the 400 mile round trip. I installed some lower air deflectors on the forks and this was my first trip with them, found them to be great......they are clear but you can see them on some of the photos.
Thats about it. It was a great ride. The Trace is a peaceful, low stress and beautiful road. Just what I needed.

	Author	Topic: Natchez Trace (Read 839 times)
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