Trace to Tupelo

Today we started out on Natchez Trace.  The Trace is a parkway that runs from Natchez, Mississippi for 444 miles to Nashville, Tennessee.  Commercial vehicles are not allowed on it - just tourists.  So it is a wonderful way to get along.

Only drawback is the speed limit is set to 50mph, but with nothing to slow you down, like towns and stuff, the average is not all that bad.

Seems a few of the locals ignore the speed limit as we were overtaken at pace a few times.

Starts here.

Lots of information on the way.

 There are many towns called Clinton in USA, second only to Springfield as a popular name, so soon enough we had to come across one.

Always time for a photo op

or two

The Trace runs beside a large lake called Ross C Barnett Reservoir and it was a great place to stop for a breather.

There are a lot of bridges, all with no clearance advice.  We wondered how the tall RV's got on.
Lots of bikes of course.

Local ice cream maker does a good sandwich at Kosciusko

 In 2011, a destructive tornado raged through part of the trace, leaving a lot of stripped and broken trees.  Two years later the damage is very evident.

Half way marker - 222 miles

 About 40 miles after the half way marker we called it enough for the day at Tupelo, the town famous for being the birthplace of Elvis Presley.  He lived there until age 13 when the family moved to Memphis.
The small two-room house is preserved and a museum stands behind it.  We were too late to visit the museum but were able to wander the grounds and have a sit on the porch swing.  Everyone does.

Statue in the grounds of a 13 year old Elvis

After doing so well in Memphis, Elvis famously returned to Tupelo a hero after 11 years and performed before local screaming girls.  Here, Charleen helps re-enact the moment at the Statue in front of Tupelo town hall.

Returning from here we were riding along at a steady pace when a black motorcycle went by us at breakneck speed.  He was doing at least 70mph, with a girl in shorts on the back.
"Idiots." we mentioned.
I was preparing to take the next right and a good thing too as we heard approaching sirens of the pursuing police car.
Unfortunately the police saw our black bike turning off and apparently thought we were the speeding bike and so turned with us and stopped us.  Lots of thoughts went through our minds, including Jack's crack the other day that he had reported the bike stolen.
A few tense moments as the Officer stepped out and said, "What's the hurry?"
I said, "Where you after a black motorcycle?"
As soon as he saw us closer and heard my voice, the officer realised his mistake.  We didn't look at all like who he had been chasing.
"Y'all take care." he said as he jumped back in the cruiser and did a screaming U-ey.
Given the speed of the bike though, I'm pretty sure it was long gone.

Hearts back in chests we continued on to our planned eatery for a nice relaxing meal.

Got our own shot of the Supermoon

Just 298 miles for the day.