2011-1 Natchez Trace Parkway, Alabama to Mississippi
Hello All,
This is the first write-up of our 2011 adventures. As usual if you are no longer interested in receiving our little blurb just drop us a note and we will remove you from the list of recipients. Also, if you know others that would like to receive it let us know so we can add them to the list.
By the end of January we were getting pretty tired of winter and just hanging around the house. So, with the weather forecast to be fairly decent for a few days we decided to
drive the Natchez-Trace Parkway from Alabama south to its terminus in Natchez, Mississippi. We have previously explored the Trace to the north all the way to where it ends in Nashville, Tennessee. The National Park Service does such a wonderful job in maintaining the parkway so we thought it would be a nice relaxing respite from our winter doldrums. So bright and early one morning we hopped in the car and started our first adventure of the year.
One of our first stops on the Trace was at Emerald Mound. It is the second largest temple mound in the United States. Only Monks Mound in Cahokia, Illinois, is larger. Emerald Mound is eight acres and was constructed from a natural hill. It was built and used from about 1300 to 1600 by the Mississippians, ancestors of the Natchez Indians. Unlike dome shaped mounds constructed only for burials, Emerald Mound supported temples, ceremonial structures, and burials of a complex society’s civic and religious leaders.
It was interesting to learn the history of the mound; however, an eight-acre mound didn’t provide for many photo opportunities!
This is the first write-up of our 2011 adventures. As usual if you are no longer interested in receiving our little blurb just drop us a note and we will remove you from the list of recipients. Also, if you know others that would like to receive it let us know so we can add them to the list.
By the end of January we were getting pretty tired of winter and just hanging around the house. So, with the weather forecast to be fairly decent for a few days we decided to
drive the Natchez-Trace Parkway from Alabama south to its terminus in Natchez, Mississippi. We have previously explored the Trace to the north all the way to where it ends in Nashville, Tennessee. The National Park Service does such a wonderful job in maintaining the parkway so we thought it would be a nice relaxing respite from our winter doldrums. So bright and early one morning we hopped in the car and started our first adventure of the year.
One of our first stops on the Trace was at Emerald Mound. It is the second largest temple mound in the United States. Only Monks Mound in Cahokia, Illinois, is larger. Emerald Mound is eight acres and was constructed from a natural hill. It was built and used from about 1300 to 1600 by the Mississippians, ancestors of the Natchez Indians. Unlike dome shaped mounds constructed only for burials, Emerald Mound supported temples, ceremonial structures, and burials of a complex society’s civic and religious leaders.
It was interesting to learn the history of the mound; however, an eight-acre mound didn’t provide for many photo opportunities!
We took our time leisurely
driving the parkway and made stops often to check things out. One stop that we
particularly enjoyed was at Cypress Swamp just north of Jackson, MS. Its subtle
beauty of trees, water, and reflections did a lot to sooth the soul. At a
relaxed pace it took us about an hour to walk the trail that circled the swamp.
Water tupelo and bald cypress
trees can live in deep water for long periods of time. After taking root in
summer when the swamp is nearly dry, the seedlings can stay alive in water deep
enough to kill other plants.
We found the reflections on the water to be awe inspiring.
We found the reflections on the water to be awe inspiring.
Although uncommon, alligators
are sometimes seen in this swamp. Early Spanish explorers called them el
lagarto (lizard). They are shy animals and despite the fierce reputation they
normally only eat a fish or two a week. It was a little too cold for them to be
out during our trek.
The tea-brown color of the water is from tannic acid, a harmless substance derived from bark and leaf material.
Also found in the water is microscopic plant and animal life that works to breakdown natural and man-made pollutants that may enter the swamp.
The trail around the swamp was excellent with bridges placed as needed.
The tea-brown color of the water is from tannic acid, a harmless substance derived from bark and leaf material.
Also found in the water is microscopic plant and animal life that works to breakdown natural and man-made pollutants that may enter the swamp.
The trail around the swamp was excellent with bridges placed as needed.
We learned that many different
mammals are full-time residents of the swamp. These include squirrels,
chipmunks, rabbits, muskrats, armadillos, opossums, and deer. Others are
occasional visitors such as coyotes, bobcats, and beavers.
Here is a photo of cypress knees. The function of the knees has long intrigued botanists. Throughout the nineteenth century and continuing to the present, botanists have put forth hypotheses about the function of these peculiar formations. The most popular is the aeration of the root system, but in fact, no explanation has been generally accepted.
Here is a photo of cypress knees. The function of the knees has long intrigued botanists. Throughout the nineteenth century and continuing to the present, botanists have put forth hypotheses about the function of these peculiar formations. The most popular is the aeration of the root system, but in fact, no explanation has been generally accepted.
And a few more shots with
reflections. Some of the trees in the swamp are over 500 years old.
Our next stop was at the Pearl
River, a short drive down the road from the swamp. In 1698 the French explorer,
Pierre Le Moyne Sieur d’Iberville, sailed into the mouth of the river and found
pearls. He named it “River of Pearls.” The Natchez-Trace, a hundred years
later, avoided the marshy lowland by following the ridge between the Pearl and
the Big Black River for 150 miles. Since 1812, the last 75 miles of the Pearl
River has served as the boundary between Mississippi and Louisiana.
The muddy river flowing through the low marshlands to the Gulf of Mexico is a haven for fish and waterfowl alike. It makes for a peaceful place to drop a line or just enjoy nature.
The muddy river flowing through the low marshlands to the Gulf of Mexico is a haven for fish and waterfowl alike. It makes for a peaceful place to drop a line or just enjoy nature.
With the sun getting low in
the sky we decided to spend the night in Jackson, MS, and then continue our trek
to Natchez the following day.
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns
Until next time,
Dave & Barb
The Traveling Browns