Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi)

As we worked our way across Mississippi we continued to explore portions of the Natchez Trace Parkway. Using a map with detailed descriptions of each mile marker, it felt like we were on a grand treasure hunt, and I found myself eagerly anticipating each stop along the way. The two-lane highway that makes up the parkway has well marked pull outs and picnic areas every few miles, encouraging you to stop for frequent explorations. We discovered diverse ecosystems including a lush cypress swamp and an impressive beaver dam; we saw ancient burial grounds of nomadic Native Americans nestled in a field of spring wildflowers; we took short hikes through groves of alder trees and loblolly pines and longer hikes through parts of the Sunken Trace, an area of deeply eroded trails carved out by thousands of travelers walking on the easily eroded loess soil. Finally, and all too soon, we found ourselves at the end of our journey at the southern terminus of park in Natchez, Mississippi. 

Mississippi Petrified Forest

The Mississippi Petrified Forest is a privately owned park near Jackson, close to the town of Flora. The only petrified forest in the Eastern United States, it is believed to have been formed 36 million years ago from fir and maple logs washing down an ancient river channel, and coming to rest (and petrify) where the remnants now reside. The park is open to the public and for a small fee you are welcome to walk the one-mile interpretive loop and learn a little about the conditions that led to this National Natural Landmark. The forest, a mix of ancient wood and living trees, is filled with birdsong, sweet smelling flowers (honeysuckle was in bloom when we were there), and our walk wound us through a shady pine needle covered path. The short walk ends up in the earth science museum where you can browse a collection of fossils, petrified wood, and minerals, and a gift shop highlighting gemstone jewelry as well as decorative pieces of petrified wood.

Jackson, Mississippi

In late August 2007 Dan and I pulled our trailer out of Sacramento to begin a new phase of our lives, living life on the road. One of our goals was to make it to every State Capitol as we worked our way around the country. We didn't impose any sort of schedule on ourselves to complete this goal, instead just making it a point to work these visits into the mix as we traveled through each of the states. On April 27, 2015 we made it to our 50th and final State Capitol in Jackson, Mississippi. As luck would have it, the entire building was apparently going through a major renovation. Scaffolding completely surrounded the dome outside, construction workers were everywhere, and building projects were underway inside as well, blocking our view of the rotunda. Upon entering the capitol, we noticed the entire place seemed rather quiet, almost deserted. In fact, we seemed to be the only two people in the building. Then we noticed the entire downtown area was rather like a ghost town. Unbeknownst to us, the last Monday in April is a state holiday in Mississippi (Confederate Memorial Day). Due to the holiday, much of the building was closed off, so our final capitol visit, restricted by both construction work and the holiday, was a bit anti-climatic, but one we won't forget.

Some fun facts about Jackson and Mississippi:

• Jackson is one of only four cities of the world sanctioned by The International Theater-Dance Committee to host the International Ballet Competition. The other three include Moscow, Russia, Varna, Bulgaria and Helsinki, Finland.
• If Mississippi smells lemony fresh, that’s because Pine Sol was invented in 1929 by Jackson native Harry A. Cole, Sr.
• Still have your first teddy bear? Thank Theodore Roosevelt. On a hunting expedition in 1902 in Sharkey County, President Roosevelt refused to shoot a captured bear, an act which resulted in the creation of the teddy bear.