We left North Carolina for "Cedars of Lebanon" State Park in Tennessee.
The park has numerous beautiful red cedar groves as well interesting limestone formations around the park. The landscape is riddled with sinkholes and caves into the limestone.
It is the shallow soil over the limestone that provides the perfect growing environment for the cedars. Many hikes take you deep into the forest which is filled with (in addition to the cedars) Honey Locusts (with mean looking spikes), Loblolly Pines, Shag Bark Hickory,
and some more of the Winged Elms we saw in North Carolina.
The Trillium and Trout Lilies were in full bloom while we were there. We spent two nights in "Cedars" before heading southwest for Arkansas.Natchez Trace National Parkway
We could have taken the highway but chose instead to try part of the Natchez Trace National Parkway to avoid some of the traffic. It's very nice. 
The speed limit is 50, so if you're in a hurry pass it up, but there are no trucks, little traffic and lots of pullouts with historic facts about the Natchez Trace, and nature trails. This is one of the Historic spots recreating an old Tobacco Barn
The Natchez Trace is a very old trail, used by ancient animals thousands of years ago as well as early Native Americans and travelers in the 17th and 18th centuries. Many sections of the original trail are still extant and trail markers point them out. the Natchez Trace is 444 miles long and has three free NPS campgrounds plus numerous state park and private campgrounds just off the Parkway We left the Parkway after 85 miles, in Mississippi, but will return someday to do the whole parkway.
Dogwoods and Bluebells in bloom on the Natchez TraceChewalla Lake, Holly Springs National Forest.
We spent one night in Mississippi in the Holly Springs National Forest at Chewalla Lake. It's a very nice campground in a Loblolly Pine forest on the shores of the lake.
Being in a National Forest meant we could gather wood for an excellent campfire and a chance to brush up on our S'Mores skills.
The dogwoods were in bloom here also.
There is an ancient Indian Mound preserved on the shores of the lake. I'm not sure about the origins of these mounds, perhaps someone with information could comment.Next time through these parts we will spend some time in Holly Springs which was one of few southern towns that was spared the ravages of the Civil War and many beautiful homes remain.
A note about the pictures. If you haven't noticed, most of the pictures in the blog are published at higher resolution than show in the blog. If you click on the picture you will get the full resolution picture. The Bluebells picture in the Natchez Trace section is a good example
Next : The Hot Mineral Spring Bathhouses (Aahhhh!) of Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas.
It looks like u guys r having lots of fun. - Venessa
ReplyDeleteHappy Easter to you both!!!
ReplyDeleteMillie
So great pics of flowers! Dogwood and blue sky so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately in my studies of moound builders, I had not encountered the one in Holly Spring National Forest. It could be Hopewell or Mississippian sites. They are ancient burial sites, resting places for their dead and often buried with many artifacts. These mounds are like earth pyramids. Around them lay bustling towns, sometimes with palisades around them. They were mostly found along the river valley of the Mississippi and his tributaries, from North to South. However mounds can be founds scattered through half of North America. They flourihed around a span of two millennia, 500 BC to the arrival of the Europeans.
Happy Easter weekend and looking (as usual) forward for your next post!
Yeah, happy Easter weekend to you both. You travels are delishus and we are looking forward to following some of your trails next spring. Love all the wonderful photos. Looks like this is perfect time for spring blossoms.
ReplyDeleteHuggs... from Gracie too!