Biking the Natchez Trace

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The blue line on this progress map shows the Adventure Cycling Southern Tier route I initially planned to take. The green line shows my actual route including a few little diversions.

Day 31

I biked 52 miles of the Natchez Trace today between Jackson, Mississippi and Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The Natchez Trace is a 444 mile long path extending from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee. The trace was created by the wanderings of buffalo, deer and other game, and was used by Indians tribes when they settled the land here 8000 years ago, specifically by the Natchez and the Choctaws. In later history, it was the only route linking the East to the South West, used by brave explorers, dastardly outlaws, and brave settlers. Today, the trace is a tranquil, peaceful parkway and commercial traffic is not allowed on it. It was a wonderful bike ride through forests and along rivers and lakes.

Biking the Natchez Trace

In 1834, another road was created branching off the Natchez Trace, "Red Dog Road", named after Choctaw Indian Chief Ofama or Red Dog. On September 27, 1830, he signed the Dancing Rabbit Treaty, by which he and his tribe agreed to leave the area and move to Oklahoma.

The Pearl River.

About 1812, Frenchman Louis Lefore started trading with the Choctaw Indians along the Natchez Trace, and married a Choctaw woman. Their famous son, who changed his name to Greenwood Leflore became a Choctaw Chief and Mississippi State Senator. For him are named the city of Greenwood and the county of LeFlore.

Clouds reflected in the still water of the Pearl River.

Settlement along the Trace.