Mathiston to Kosciusko, MS

Wednesday, October 8, 2003
Distance Cycled: 46 miles
Total elevation gain: 1,040 feet
Our Total Flat Tires on trip to date: 1

When we woke up this morning at 6:00 AM, the fog had reduced visibility to 0.2 mile. We decided that we had better wait until the fog lifted. We put on our walking shoes and headed to that restaurant where we had the terrible meal last night. It was the only restaurant within walking distance. We ate an OK breakfast, returned to the motel and waited for the fog to lift. At 9:00 AM visibility was 2 miles. We loaded all our gear onto the bicycles and started the day's ride. We continued south on the trace stopping at every historical location and nature trail. At one stop we met "Ed" who sells hair bows, he gave Becky and Mary Kay each a special hair bow. The world is full of interesting giving people. The Natchez Trace Parkway continues to be a great place to ride a bicycle. We have had only one climb greater than 5% and most of the time the grades are a maximum of 4%. We again saw the old trace but at this location it had not been worn below the general ground level.

Due to our very late start we arrived at French Camp at noon. We ate an excellent home cooked lunch and looked at the old log buildings. When we arrived the church bells were ringing, an extra special welcome.

We continued our ride to Cole Creek where we saw our first swamp. Beavers had cut down a number of small trees and a tree called a Water Tupelo stood in the water of this swamp. The base of this tree is larger than the trunk of the tree to provide more support in the water.

We arrived in Kosciusko and found that the motel was only 50 yards off the Natchez Trace Parkway, a great way to end a good day, especially with a Mexican restaurant next door.