Note: this part II of day 6 -- please read part I first.
Since we’re not on a major highway there isn’t a large
welcome center after we cross the border into Tennessee, but when we follow a
sign for visitor info it directs us to the Wayne Co welcome center which is
located only a short distance off the Trace. They have a little stand with
brochures in the parking lot so I don’t even have to go inside to get another
state map for my collection.
We stop at the small picnic area along Glenrock Branch, set
just below the parkway where a gentle creek curves along a steep limestone
cliff.
 |
| Hey! Somebody walked into my picture |
 |
| Curious rock formation |
 |
| Lime stone bluffs on the right |
In summer, Metal Ford is a popular destination for families
to spend the day and splash in the Buffalo River, but it’s deserted when we get
there. Still I am not to be deterred (bikini is in my day pack just in case)
and the water is cool, but not cold so it’s all looking good … except the footing is SO bad! Sharp, little rocks that shift as you walk on them. Ouch! So
much for the metal-like smooth bottom stones the place was named after.
The next stop is one of historical significance; the
gravesite of Meriwether Lewis of the famous Lewis & Clark expedition.
Whether he was murdered or committed suicide remains a mystery to this day.
 |
| Marker placed by the Daughter's of the Revolution. They played an important role in the preservation of the Trace Parkway by placing markers in every county to trace the route with accuracy. |
We both love waterfalls so we’re really looking forward to the next stop, when suddenly, with a mile to go the Trace is closed up ahead and we’re forced to take a detour. Luckily it gets us back just in time!
My guidebook spends surprisingly little time describing the
stop at Fall Hollow. Kind of a disservice to such an awesome place.
The trail starts out with a short paved section leading to a 20ft waterfall. It’s nice, but there’s more of a trickle down a slope instead of a straight drop and the view is partially obscured by trees.
The trail starts out with a short paved section leading to a 20ft waterfall. It’s nice, but there’s more of a trickle down a slope instead of a straight drop and the view is partially obscured by trees.
 |
| View from the overlook |
 |
| Little waterfall |
 |
| Loved this one! Picture doesn't do it justice :-( |
 |
| Same one seen from the side |
 |
The next stop is another overlook, this time of quaint
farming land complete with silos and cattle.
Just as we're pulling out of the parking lot a flock(?) of wild turkeys run across the road
Remember how I said earlier that there are only two surviving structures left from the Trace’s early 1800s. Mount Locust was one of them, Gordon House is the other. It was bought by the National Park Service, but to date it remains closed to the public although plans exist to turn it into an exhibit.
The Water Valley overlook is one of the most beautiful if
you can ignore the power lines that cut through the landscape.
 |
| Cropped it so you can't see the power lines ;-) |
 |
| Orange tree in the parking lot |
The guidebook recommends leaving the Trace to visit the “quirky” town of Leiper’s Fork so we do. It's probably not worth a stop though unless you have lots of time on your hands ...
 |
| Cute litlte house |
Our last stop is the often photographed Hwy 96 Double Arch Bridge. You can pull over right after the bridge and walk across to take pictures of the valley below, then take the car and drive into the valley for a picture of the bridge. Unfortunately the sun is already very low on the horizon leaving the bridge almost completely cast in shade.
 |
| Valley |
And then, at mile 444, it’s over – the Natchez Trace Parkway ends! Here's another short movie to celebrate our amazing journey:
It’s a bit of an adjustment re-entering the real world, with
multi-lane highways, fast food joints, billboards and traffic lights everywhere
you turn, but there’s no time to stop and think; we have a concert to get to!
 |
| Nashville skyline |
Luckily things move very quickly after we’re able to find a
parking spot and we get to our seats with time to spare. The seating
arrangements are really cool; long plush benches set on a steep slope to allow
everyone a clear view of the stage while creating a communal feeling.
 |
| Pam Tillis kicks off the night |
 |
| Hillarious singing cowboys |
Today show honors one of America’s first, and most famous, country comediennes Minnie Pearl and so the acts are divided between singing and comedy.
 |
| Picture of Minnie Pearl -- with trademark pricetag hanging from her hat. |
 |
| Newcomer Anita Renfroe |
 |
| Amy Grant and her husband Vince Gill |
What a great show!
 |
| Picture of the outside |
For our last night I Pricelined a ridiculously upscale
hotel, the Sheraton Music City. Oh, the look on the concierge’s face as we
dragged our rumpled, muddied selves across their grand foyer to check in haha.
The fries from Burger King tasted kind of funny (and upset
my stomach) and I only ate a few before throwing the rest away so with minutes
to spare we place an order for room service. Might as well enjoy staying
someplace fancy!
 |
| Turkey Club so yummy!!! |
Lunch: kind of Burger King
Dinner: Sheraton’s room service
Hotel: Sheraton Music City
Total for today: 193 mi
