October Ride - Natchez Trace Parkway, Tupelo, Muscle Schoals and More!

Locking in our October motorcycle trip. Normally, we head to Maryville, but this year, a new adventure: The Natchez Trace, a 444-mile parkway from Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. This is more challenging because we don’t want to ride from Dallas to Natchez. But if we trailer and drop the trailer off, we have to come back and get it. 

Won't be as curvy as Tennessee/North Carolina

Here’s the trip itinerary so far:

Thursday, October 6

Dallas to Alexandria, LA (Taboo HD)

Alexandria, LA to Natchez, MS (Stay at Days Inn – I’m a princess, but this one seems to have good reviews and we can get free supper and breakfast, if we want. The problem with the pictures on websites is that you can’t tell if they are 1 year old, or 20).

Friday, October 7

Natchez to Tupelo – haven’t plotted out the stops along the way, but looks like we have 270 miles on the Parkway, minus stops.

Stay at Hotel Tupelo (http://www.hoteltupelo.com) – This hotel on Main Street looks good, and they said we could park out front of the hotel! Trying to figure out our dinner spot – Kermit’s seems promising and seems to be “iconic.” There are other Elvis diners to consider, but some of the reviews aren’t great.

Saturday, October 8

Tupelo to Franklin, TN/Nashville, TN – haven’t plotted out the stops, but definitely the Merriweather Lewis stop. And that bridge that is in every Natchez Trace brochure or blog.

Stay at … haven’t determined yet. Something must be going on in Nashville because the room rates are crazy. I’m a princess, but not spending $350 at a Days Inn or La Quinta downtown!

Sunday, October 9 – Wednesday, October 12

Franklin, TN/Nashville, TN to Muscle Schoals – haven’t plotted out the stops

Stay at Muscle Schoals – the Music House – Bob Dylan, among others stayed here! We found it on Vrbo and it’s right on the Tennessee River, on the bluff.

Important information for visiting the Coon Dog Cemetery:

Hours: Open dawn to dusk. Daily.
Cost: Free
Location: 4945 Coondog Cemetery Road Cherokee, Alabama 35616
Directions: The Coon Dog Cemetery is located 7 miles west of Tuscumbia on U.S. Hwy 72. Turn left (south) on AL Hwy 247, go 12 miles, turn right, and follow the signs. Just when you really think you’re lost, you should see the Coon Dog Cemetery sign welcoming you to the parking lot.
Website: www.coondogcemetery.com

Wednesday, October 12

Muscle Schoals to Alexandria, LA

Thursday, October 13

Alexandria, LA to Dallas, TX