I guess September 12, 2023. Writing this almost two years later from memory may prove to be challenging but I will do my best.
My plan was to leave bright and early that morning so I could get as far north and east as possible. I was going to head toward Cleveland to visit the R&R Hall of Fame, then go east, visit some friends in Pennsylvania before heading to Newport. My plans always seem to be flighty and change like the wind.
Needless to say, it was almost noon when I finally had everything packed up and Penny and I pulled out of the driveway. I decided I would take I-20 east and then eventually make my way north. I was about an hour and a half from home with my mind doing a mental inventory of what I brought, what I forgot and what I should have left at home. Then it hit me! The night before while getting my clothes together I realized a lot of my T-shirts were wrinkled as usual because I never hang things up or fold laundry right after I finish a load. I routinely throw things in the dryer with a damp cloth to get wrinkles out, so I took all my T-shirts and tossed them in the dryer. Then put the rest of my clothes in the drawers in the van. So here I am in the middle of Louisiana, and I realize I have no T-shirts except the one I was wearing.
There was no way I was turning around at that point so I decided I would just buy a new T-shirt at all the tourist shops I stopped at along the way. While talking to my daughter Cari on the phone and telling her my dilemma she said she would go by my house and get my T-s out of the dryer and take them with her, as she was going to Newport later that week and I could get them when I met her there.
Along the way I drove through Ruston, LA to see the Louisiana Tech University campus where my grandson attended. He was working in Monroe at that time so I couldn't pay him a visit. It was a nice campus, and I was glad to get a glimpse of where he lived.
I was a little giddy with anticipation as I prepared to cross the mighty Mississippi River, the bridge was huge, and my feeling of wanderlust really soared. Once on the other side and in the state of Mississipi for the first time I stopped at the visitor center and overlook.
Looking at my map I realized that I20 intersected with The Natchez Trace Parkway in Jackson. I had always wanted to check that out so I plotted my route to use the Trace to go North. I love just going where the wind takes me. So glad I did not miss this drive. It is a two-lane road with the speed limit 40mph in some places and 50 in others. No rushing here. It was beautifully tree lined with a few meadows in between.
I decide I would try to make it to the first of several free campgrounds along the way. Unfortunately it was after dark when I arrived. I just pulled into the first site I found. When I awoke in the morning I was pleasantly surprised. I made coffee and some oatmeal then Penny and I went for a little walk.
The rest of the way was just more beautiful and peaceful scenery. We stopped at a few historic sites.
When we reached Tupelo, MS I knew I had to get off and visit Elvis's birthplace. It was a beautiful park where several buildings from Elvis's youth had been moved. The home he was born in and the church where he started singing Gospel music. I purchased my first T-shirt at the gift shop.
Continuing on the Parkway we crossed a corner of Alabama which was my first time in that state. We spent the night in another Trace campground in Tennessee.
I decided not to continue to the end of the Parkway and instead turned east to pick up the Blue Ridge Parkway in NC.
To Be Continued...
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