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FALL 2017 ISSUE 02 / VOL. 02
Main: My rear’ s in Alabama, while my fork’ s in Tennessee. Seeds of a countrywestern song? Left: Thirteen unknown Confederate soldiers are buried alongside the Trace, which played an important role in the Civil War.
Ride another 50-mile segment, then stop to enjoy the view from the Ross Barnett Reservoir overlook( mile 105). Don’ t miss the tupelo-bald cypress swamp at mile 122. A long, wooden boardwalk puts you just inches above the water as you stroll among the wildlife. Walking on the boards, I met a rider from California who shared his dream of taking U. S. Route 6 cross-country. I didn’ t doubt his aspiration: His license plate( HWY 6) was mounted in an Iron Butt frame.
As I left the swamp and continued north, I had to ride in a driving rain until it turned to a drizzle somewhere around mile 200. The stretch between mile 205 and 210 made me glad I wasn’ t on the road in April 2011 when a powerful tornado tore through the area. The swirling winds snapped off thousands of trees like matchsticks, leaving behind an eerie forest of jagged 10-foot stumps.
The rain came back with a vengeance, pounding me until the Tupelo exit at mile 260. I staggered off the bike at the Best Western Plus, grabbed a hot shower and had a cold drink at the Chili’ s next door. It was a good end to a great day. The Best Western earned two thumbs up. It is clean, convenient to the Trace and very rider friendly.