Trip to Alexandria, Louisiana, and back to Muscle Shoals: roadtrip

We didn’t leave until closer to 4:30 am on Tuesday morning. Off we headed to Alexandria, Louisiana. Tony drives the first couple of hours until we got on the Trace. It was dark, and there were quite a few deer out to be mindful of. When we got on the Trace, I took the turn. Again, we had the road to ourselves and it’s really a pretty easy drive. Just set it on cruise control and away we go. 

The Uhaul GPS google woman got made at me because she wanted me to get off the Trace and get on the Interstate. 

Fancy Uhaul dashboard.

I refused, wanting to keep driving on the relaxing Trace, despite not making as good of time.  It’s time for lunch in Tupelo, and since the Bellmont Shake Shop (https://www.facebook.com/thebellemontshakeshop/ ) isn’t that out of the way, we head there for lunch. Bacon Cheeseburgers and Fries again. We met an interesting guy waiting for his fish (says it’s the best he’s found in the area). He is asking everyone if they are Cowboys fans who comes up. Tony starts talking to him. Find out that he’s from Vegas, but moved recently to Natchez (big difference). Writing two books and a movie script. Think he’s teaching at a school in town (but not Alcorn because he didn’t know Alcorn was nearby). He’s a question guy and starts asking if we have kids. If we would think about adopting. If…. Interesting guy.

Back to the Bellmont Shake Shop!

We get to Alexandria around 1:30 pm, get the truck and trailer out of Taboo, and off we go again. Back to Tupelo and back on the Trace. Tony wanted to take the other route, but deferred to my wanting to take the Trace. Off we go, with me following Tony and the trailer.

We make pretty good time heading back. But, it’s been a long day. 

I know I drive close and upright, but well...

Getting truck and trailer from Taboo.

Me following Tony up the Trace.

Making a stop on the Trace.

And then when it gets dark, the Trace is pretty spooky with the close trees. And the deer come out, so we have to concentrate pretty hard. I do not really recommend the Trace after dark. It also was hard to find the pull ins when we wanted to stop. We kept missing them. I mentioned Jeff Busby for a stop (but when we stopped this time, the bathrooms were closed – I have a strong bladder and said I could wait).

Aside: who is this Jeff Busby? The short answer: U.S. Congressman Thomas Jefferson Busby who in 1934 introduced a bill authorizing a survey of the Old Natchez Trace

The long story can be found here:

https://www.natcheztracetravel.com/natchez-trace-mississippi/french-camp-ms/158-jeff-busby-park.html

And it’s past my bedtime. I am enjoying using the Uhaul phone hook up and can text while driving to Tony. We’re “high tech” now! The last hour of the trip was brutal on the way to the Music House. But, we pulled in around midnight and immediately went to sleep.