Natchez Trace and Vicksburg

Vicksburg overlooking the Mississippi.

Posted by Thane
Leaving Baton Rouge we saw drive thru daiquiri shops. I was told that it was illegal to have a drink in your car only if you put the straw through the lid, otherwise it was considered a closed container. Go figure.
Another interesting dining experience available - no we did not eat there .
Here is Melissa on the bluff in the town of Natchez (pronounced like matches) overlooking the Mississippi.
Traveling back to Mississippi the Natchez Trace Parkway was beautiful, green and lush with the occasional swamp or lake.The 444-mile Natchez Trace Parkway commemorates an ancient trail that connected southern portions of the Mississippi River, through Alabama, to Nashville in central Tennessee. It is a 50 mph road with many people biking, camping and fishing along the way. It was originally used by Indians and traders prior to the introduction of steamships on the river in the early 1800's. Years of use wore the trail down as much as 30' deep in some areas. Here is section of the original trace worn by use.We veered away from The Trace to go to Vicksburg, a town where one of the deciding military battles of the Civil War took place. Vicksburg was a fortress located on high ground guarding the Mississippi River. They had 4 miles of cannons facing the river to blockade Union troops from using it to transport goods. President Lincoln called Vicksburg "the key" and believed that "the war can never be brought to a close until that key is in our pocket."

Vicksburg National Military Park is set on 1800 acres with a 16 mile narrated drive you can take. We chose the GPS version that recognized what we were near and told us the history of that particular battle or memorial. Each state was allowed to erect a memorial to the their troups that fought or died in this battle.Over 10,000 Union and 5,000 Confederate soldiers were buried here. We were told by locals that the Confederates won...............go figure.
Next up...Oxford, Mississippi a, rest stop with great friends.