Day 6 of Natchez trace

On my way to Holiday World, which is conviently located in Santa Claus, IN, and realized the importance of my lacross ball for my bike trip. Instead of sleeping for the next hour and a half (and for those who know me I am asleep before the end of the block in road trips so this post is pretty altruistic on my part), I have decided to write about day 6 since I am only a month behind.

Day 6 - Jackson, MI area. Zach's dad lives very conveniently located in this area and provided us with 2 days of non gas station food, a crawfish boil, 4 wonderful dogs to love, a bed that has a roof over it, clean clothes, and a day to trip to New Orleans! Finally rested and ready to ride! During these past two days I faithly used my lacross ball to stretch my legs and prevent sciatic nerve pain. (Another post shall be written later about this lovely process) 

Started at mile 135 and ended at 79. We decided to do this portion on a Sunday, since the trace is used by commuters. I would recommend avoiding this stretch around work/home commute times for safety reasons. 

My favorite stop was during this day at mile 122 - cypress swamp! Being a city girl this half mile loop around a swamp is perfect! It only took about 20 minutes, and this was a very good stop to stretch the legs. 

During this stretch you go around the reservoir (which is pretty much a giant lake) and you have the opportunity to take the people trail. The trail starts at the overlook (mile 105 I believe) and can take you to mile 89. You still have the opportunity to see every exit, but with out the traffic. Bikes are the fastest moving objects on the people trail. It was nice to be next to the trace with the same scenery, but without the vehicles to worry about graciously body tapping you off the road. 

Where we ate was a very

Interesting little spot sponsored by Mr. Henney's Random Spot Finding Ability. We ate at biker/boat stop along the river near the trace called Ratliff ferry trading post. Food was expensive, but it was nice to eat some different than gas station food. Beer prices were excellent! I believe they had a campground area, which would make it a nice place to sleep and drink some brews on the patio looking over the river.

We saw an alligator!!!!! Slammed on my breaks freaking Zach and the car behind me out, but it was amazing! It was located on the opposite side of the reservoir near a bridge.

Another friend that we met was Frediña. She was trying to cross the road, but was going at a very slow pace. Thankfully I was able help her along her journey. 

Zach made a friend as well, who decided to hitch a ride for about 10 miles. His name was Chipetto and he was a lovely green bug, who could win any long jump contest. I decided to let Zach have alone time with his friend, since I'm not a big fan of jumping bugs. 

Beautiful ride! Thankfully we rode unloaded, which was wonderful! We were finally able to ride next to each other during this leg of the trace due to flatness of the area. We then were picked up at mile 79 by the one and only Mr. Henney. 

Day 5

Much better ride today! The trace was flatter with some rolling hills and we actually had time to take some decent stops! 

First place we stopped at was 13 miles into the ride at exit 180 called French Camp. It's a little town that has a Christian academy for 1-12th grade. Ate some good food there and relaxed for over an hour! Highly recommend this stop. 

About 20 miles later we stopped at another little town called Kosciusko. There they had an information center with a little museum about the trace. I didn't realize the historic value this road contained. It is actually named an All American road. We ate at Old Trace Grill and for the second time on this trip did not buy fried food. One of the hardest parts of this trip is eating calories with substance. Most food items on the trace are fried chicken at a gas station and the body can only handle eating that for so long. Personally i like (and try) to eat healthy food, and this trip has made it very hard to keep that goal while eating enough calories to not pass out. 

After this nice break I asked Zach where are next stop was located. He replied with Holy Hill about 6 miles down the road. We discussed how terrible this hill would be to tackle since it was named Holy Hill. Little did I know the place was called Holly Hill and this was his way to play a joke/motivate me. At this stop (which wasn't on a hill) we met a girl who was biking from California to Vermot in time for her graduation (of high school....yes high school) and a guy who was making his way to North Carolina. 

Ended the trip at 135 with our savior (Zach's dad) sitting there with a car for us! Ended up changing the ride millage. Sunday afternoon we will travel from 100 to 135. Monday and Tuesday we will finish the trip! 

Until then New Orleans bound for the day! 

Day 4

75 miles in the headwind...longest day of riding but better than yesterday. 

Woke up in tupelo and due to half of downtown being not paved Sally turned in to a montain bike. Finally understand why my parents get worried when tornados are near by. Tupelo was destroyed by a tornado last week. I saw parts of gas stations and hotels ripped in half. It was extremely shocking...

There was construction today, which destroyed my back fender. Had to take it off and strap it on the back. 

"Watched"/listened to Frozen on the way, which was amazing and made the miles fly by! I recommend jamming to your favorite music/movie when cranking out many many miles in one day.

Currently camping at Jeff Busby. Beatiful day as always! 

Day 3

Worse than the hilly hundred. That is all.

...but at least slept in a hotel in tupelo! 

Day 2

Chocolate donuts are a cyclists savior! 

Woke up later than we wanted, but still getting used to this camping thing. After about 4 miles into our journey this random vehicle slowed down and wouldn't leave us alone....ready to start an argument with a local I realize it's our savior with chocolate donuts! Zachs dad has just pulled up on the trace with donuts! And that was a great way to start the morning! 

The trace was hilly during the first 2/4 and pretty straight the last bit. I discovered that when Dorothy left Kansas she really went to Tennessee because we saw fields of yellow flowers! One of my favorite spots was Holly. It's a picnic area tucked behind the road (exit 346). It wasn't on the top 30 favorites according to the website, but I thought it was amazing! We stayed at Colbert Ferry, which was beautiful! We camped right next to the river and watched the sunset for a bit. 

Good was amazing! We didn't have time to eat lunch yesterday due to beating the sunset, but today we stopped in Collinwood (exit 355) and ate the hasti mart....aka fast food at a gas station. Still amazing! 

Also crossed the state line! Never been in Alabama, but it's wonderful! So different than Chicago! During the last mile of our trip we passed the Tennessee river..,the bridge was terrible to climb...but again one of those moments that makes the trip worth it!