Day Two of the Natchez Trace

 Note: this is not a "live" blog -- we have been back from our adventure.  

In the morning, we check out and load up the bike. The cheerleading team from Arkansas was staying at our hotel since the played Mississippi on Saturday. Go to Hardies for breakfast, gas up, and then back on the Trace we go to Franklin, Tennessee. We try to do non-chain restaurants on our rides, but Hardies was the most convenient (and open). Lots of Arkansas fans were staying the night in Tupelo before the game (sadly they got trounced by Mississippi).

Arkansas Cheer Team staying at our hotel.

Crossing over the Tennessee River

Starting to see some Fall color.

The detour off the Trace: yes, well marked. A little bit of lots of turns and county roads. And more turns. When we get on 72, it’s a highway. But, stop and gas up in Cherokee, before jogging back over to the Trace. We get on the Trace pretty much right at the Tennessee River crossing.

You’re probably wondering – we just seem to be riding, not stopping and inhaling history. Pretty much. But once we got into Tennessee, you could see the leaves changing color – nice. It was a bit chilly, but I wasn’t inclined to put my chaps on. It’s hard to get on and off the bike in chaps.

We took one stop at the Sunken Trace and actually walked it. Some bikers (with electric assist) showed us a part of the old Trace that was really sunken. I guess if we do this again, now that we understand the Trace, we could plan our stops better.

The terrain in Tennessee was also a lot windier and hillier. And LOTS AND LOTS of armadillos. I think I even saw a “herd” of armadillos in a field (I just googled this and it’s either a group or a roll of armadillos – see, you learned something). And more and more bikers – on the Natchez Trace, bike bikers can take the whole lane, and you just need to pass them when you can. Towards the end of the Trace, there were a lot more bike bikers (kudos to them). We stopped at Meriwether Lewis burial site. It was cool (and had a bathroom). We ran into a guy from nearby who wanted to talk – he mentioned Muscle Shoals having a Harley Dealership with a cool shirt. And to stop at the end of the Trace at Loveless Motel for biscuits. By this time, Blackie isn’t sounding good. But, we’re not going fast and not much we can do.

We end the Trace and head to Loveless – it’s turned into a little “amusement park” eatery. Lots of people. And a 55+ minute wait. We decline and Tony gets a “non-Loveless, gas station biscuit.” 

Loveless Motel

And off we head to the Holiday Inn Express and Suites in Franklin, Berry Farms. Didn’t really realize how big Franklin is – it’s a bit hard to plan on first trips. But the hotel is nice and has underground parking for Blackie. 

Holiday Inn Express & Suites

Our dinner was at a Mexican restaurant – not good. Salsa tasted like water. Tony’s enchilada sauce was poor. Mine weren’t bad. But now we’re worried about Blackie. And Tennessee is also supposed to get its first freeze of the season. Great.