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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Dave Bell on August 17, 2015, 08:58:36 PM
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My goal is to ride the entire Natchez Trace Parkway, the same way I rode the entire Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of months ago. On Sunday Aug 23, I will depart Wills Point early for a loosely planned diagonal route across central east texas and Louisiana to Natchez, Ms., and stay there over night. The following day, Monday Aug 24, I will ride only from Natchez to Tupelo and spend the night there. Then, on Tuesday, to Nashville to see my war hero nephew and maybe eat BBQ if he wants. On Wednesday, I'll head for Memphis for two days at the Peabody, and some major sightseeing. I've seen Graceland twice, so will not be going there. I'm considering the Civil Rights Museum, Beale Steet (BB Kings?) :afro:Sun Records, and a couple of other museums like maybe underground railroad. The last day, I'll go to Hot Springs for a massage and a soak, then home.
Anybody got any ideas regarding cool things to see?
I'm so excited, I'm packed and the V7 is in the driveway pointing out........ :bike-037:
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My goal is to ride the entire Natchez Trace Parkway, the same way I rode the entire Blue Ridge Parkway a couple of months ago. On Sunday Aug 23, I will depart Wills Point early for a loosely planned diagonal route across central east texas and Louisiana to Natchez, Ms., and stay there over night. The following day, Monday Aug 24, I will ride only from Natchez to Tupelo and spend the night there. Then, on Tuesday, to Nashville to see my war hero nephew and maybe eat BBQ if he wants. On Wednesday, I'll head for Memphis for two days at the Peabody, and some major sightseeing. I've seen Graceland twice, so will not be going there. I'm considering the Civil Rights Museum, Beale Steet (BB Kings?) :afro:Sun Records, and a couple of other museums like maybe underground railroad. The last day, I'll go to Hot Springs for a massage and a soak, then home.
Anybody got any ideas regarding cool things to see?
I'm so excited, I'm packed and the V7 is in the driveway pointing out........ :bike-037:
The things you've got planned, sights, rides, family, BBQ .... that would be a full week for me, I wouldn't NEED any other cool things to do.
Have a great ride!
Lannis
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The Trace is pretty, but 440 miles at 40 mph can try your patience.
Ride safe.
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It was 50 MPH last time I was on it.
Actually it is as fast as going the freeway if you're going to northeast Al. from the south as there are no stop signs or lights(Maybe 1 or 2).
We take it whenever we go to Florence, Al. from Dallas,Tx
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We were in Memphis last year. Beale St was cool, especially at night. Do not miss Sun Records, lots of history there, you can feel it in the air. Also, take the Gibson Guitar factory tour. Very interesting! Have fun.
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The speed limit has never been 40 and I've been riding on the trace for over 40 years. Beaver and I rode it two years ago and never met one cop.
Take a tour of downtown Natchez. Stop at all of the historical sites. Take a side trip to Sturgis. WHAT! Yes there is a Sturgis , MS. Take a tour of Tupelo. You have the right idea in taking your time as there is a lot to see. Get gas in Natchez, Jackson and Tupelo as sometimes the gas stations are a ways off the trace.
Enjoy,
Texas Turnip
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Almost all of the Parkway has a posted speed limit of 50 m.p.h., but there are small sections that are posted lower.
Frequently Asked Questions - Natchez Trace Parkway (U.S. ...
www.nps.gov/natr/faqs.htm
U.S. National Park Service
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Rendezvous Ribs....downtown since 1948...best dry rub ribs I ever had
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Don't forget that car museum in Nashville. I posted it earlier.
Also, Rendezvous (close to Peabody) offers wet (saucy) ribs too.
Beale is great. BBKing' place should still be open as well as the rockin' dueling piano bar on the other end of the street.
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Car museum in Nashville-
http://www.lanemotormuseum.org/
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The civil rights museum at the Lorraine Motel where MLK was killed is impressive and exceeded my expectations. If you have an affinity for history, go see it. I was impressed that it was focused on showing a balanced historic perspective of the civil rights movement that did not simply skewer all whites.
There is (or was) a neat little authentic 50's era eatery across the street.
http://civilrightsmuseum.org/
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Tupelo is the home of Elvis
they have his boyhood home, and a small museum on the same plot of ground, might be worth a visit.
Old Head
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I have to laugh.
A good friend of mine here who owns a V7 Racer is from Tennessee. Every year he makes a relaxed trip up the Natchez Trace to his home in TN.
He has ridden the Racer twice and every time he tells me that the speed enforcement police have approached him while he was getting gas or stopped for lunch. Noticing the formidable appearance of the V7 Racer, they come over and warn him about exceeding the low speed limit and the consequences therewith. He thanks them and assures them that the little bike's "bite is no so bad as its bark." It looks like something it's not.
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The Trace is pretty, but 440 miles at 40 mph can try your patience.
Ride safe.
Thanks. I found on the Blue Ridge Parkway that I really don't mind riding around 50. I think that speed limit was 45. I only saw Rangers close to larger towns.
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I could never ride so slow. A friend did it and said it's really dark there at night, spooky. But I couldn't stand BRP either.
Don't forget Nashville Honky Tonk Row on Broadway.
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Thanks. I found on the Blue Ridge Parkway that I really don't mind riding around 50. I think that speed limit was 45. I only saw Rangers close to larger towns.
Once you get into the sightseeing rhythm of it, the Natchez Trace and BRP speeds aren't bad at all. I put a couple hundred miles on the BRP the other day, and averaged about 53 MPH. The speed limit is 45, but I've been painted by quite a few ranger radars over the years and no ticket yet. A park ranger friend tells me that their goal is to not let the BRP turn into some "Dragon" Rickey-Racer road, with people pulling track bikes in to challenge the cops, so you'd probably be ok on the Trace too at 55 or so.
After a few hundred miles of that, 75 on the highway feels like insanely fast speed ...
Lannis
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The "Trace" is the longest, skinniest national park in the country, 50 mph is plenty fast enough, any faster you will miss seeing the wildlife, turkeys, deer, fox, raccoons , all kinds of critters. Get the tour guide from the park service and enjoy our national treasure.
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I second the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville. It has the world's largest collection of Tatras outside the Czech Republic.
Not all policia on the Trace are visible. They have a reputation for unusual unmarked cars (Nissan pickups, VW Jettas, etc.). Have fun!
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I second the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville. It has the world's largest collection of Tatras outside the Czech Republic.
The latest Mad Max "war rig" truck is a Tatra. You look at how those are built, they are some REAL heavy-duty vehicles. I don't even think we make anything like it in the USA ....
Lannis
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If you're into it the Pyramid in Memphis is now a Bass Pro Shop.
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The Perfect Pig - Just a little West of Nashville in White Bluff, TN.
It's a good thing there's no such comfort food to be found north of the Manson/Nixon line. Otherwise I'd weight eleventy-hundred pounds.
I miss that place a lot.
I had to limit my intake at The Pig to twice monthly. It's in the middle of nowhere, so people are only there for one tasty reason. Don't screw with touristy trappy holes like Loveless Cafe up at the head of the Trace. Take the country roads just a little west.
http://carlsperfectpig.com/
The Trace is nice through that part of Tennessee. If you're there Saturday/Sunday mornings, you can jump off the Trace & get some breakfast at Puckett's Grocery in Leiper's Fork. There was usually an interesting assortment of cars & bikes there on weekend mornings.
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Made Natchez, 330 mile slog across Texas and Louisiana, on hwy 64 and 84. It got up to 96 but I never really got uncomfortable in my jacket with vents open and riding with helmet flipped up some. Natchez shuts down on Sunday, so I ended up in the rather bizarre predicament of eating tamales in Mississippi. They were good, however. Rode around some. Natchez is an interesting mix of history and rotting structures.
Tomorrow, I'm riding the first part of the trace to Tupelo. I was fighting sleep by 4:30, so I rode around some more, got gas and talked to some locals.
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Made Natchez, 330 mile slog across Texas and Louisiana, on hwy 64 and 84. It got up to 96 but I never really got uncomfortable in my jacket with vents open and riding with helmet flipped up some. Natchez shuts down on Sunday, so I ended up in the rather bizarre predicament of eating tamales in Mississippi. They were good, however. Rode around some. Natchez is an interesting mix of history and rotting structures.
Tomorrow, I'm riding the first part of the trace to Tupelo. I was fighting sleep by 4:30, so I rode around some more, got gas and talked to some locals.
One of my favorite places near the Trace is the Ruins of Windsor, it is just a few miles off the Trace.
http://www.natcheztracetravel.com/natchez-trace-mississippi/vicksburg-port-gibson-ms/188-windsor-ruins.html
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Easy ride from Natchez to Tupelo. Most interesting stop was French Camp, where I talked to a 2011 grad of the school for troubled kids. She now has two years of on line college. Rode about 55-60 and did not see any Rangers. My brother reminded me that my great great grandfather landed in Natchez from England in time to be a Texas Ranger for Sam Houston. Ate good ribs at rib shack in Tupelo. Tomorrow more trace to the end in Nashville. 260 miles today.
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In enjoy staying in nice Hotels. I stayed in the Grand Hotel in Natchez. Natchez was sort of closed on Sunday. There is some good architecture there, but a lot of it is sort of deteriorated. (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1700.jpg)
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In Tupelo, I did not care about seeing the Hardware Store where Elvis bought the first guitar, but I did eat some good ribs at the Ribshack. On the way, I had a bit of a time finding a place for breakfast. Didn't open until 9 because all the locals are retired and don't get up that early. The lady said "Glad yuh et with us". (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1705.jpg) It was worth the wait (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1706.jpg)
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There are a couple of chances to get off the road and see the old trace setting, to give a better idea of the terrain. (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1702.jpg)
t
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Early morning, coming out of Natchez. (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1701.jpg). This is how the road looks for 444 miles, more or less.
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They paved a section to let you ride or drive about a mile in the terrain. (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1707.jpg)
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Thanks for the post! Great stuff.
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My GPS was set on "Curvy Roads". I ended up going through the heart of Nashville. At noon. In 95 degrees. I did see Vanderbilt, but when I got to the Opryland Marriot I was not in a mood to sight see. I went across the street and walked through Ernest Tubb's record shop which has his tour bus inside. I was tired. Next day I went to Memphis on some curvy roads and stayed at the Peabody for 2 days. I'm glad I did, it's an experience and it's close to many interesting things. I could walk to Beale in 5 minutes, civil rights museum in 20.
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1729.jpg)
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1731.jpg). I lucked out. It was bike night on Beale. Quite the zoo. Drank two "big ass beers" and saw a cool BMW (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1736.jpg)
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...and this former CHIPS bike, according to a random guy standing there (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1740.jpg) Just my opinion, Beale Street is better than New Orleans, which is way too intense. Beale is maybe 5 blocks long and if you leave, you are out of the chaos in about a 100 feet. (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1741.jpg)
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BMW (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1742.jpg)
The best museum, in my opinion as a 66 year old guy who grew up in Texas, but whose liberal democrat parents did a lot of civil rights activism, and who remembers with horror the fate of the freedom riders and the assassination of Dr. King, is the Civil Rights Museum.
It is in the Lorraine Motel, where MLK was killed by James Earl Ray.
(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1755.jpg)
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Room 306. Inside the museum, you end up looking directly into the room, with Dr. Kings bags open, a book he was reading propped up, and the bed unmade. (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1756.jpg)
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I almost forgot to go to Sun Studios. Here is a microphone that was used for all the recording. It was sung into by Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, Bono (U2's Rattle and Hum was recorded there), Carl Perkins, and countless others. They let you touch is with a warning not to kiss or lick it (?)> (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1760.jpg)
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Dave, I'm glad you made those attractions! Awesome!
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Oddly, Jerry Lee Lewis, who married 7 times but only got divorced 5, and was married to his 13 year old 2nd cousin once, has survived to open a club on Beale at the age of 79. Here is his car.....(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1771.jpg)
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I really loved the tour of the Gibson Guitar Factory. I have owned some good Gibson Guitars, including this one that I first played in my band the Whirlwinds (http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/IMG_1723.jpg).
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Cool pics Dave! :boozing:
I have to ask, THAT very guitar, or one just like it?
PS: I hope to see you in Ohio.
John Henry
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Here's Jerry Lee and the Cuz.....(http://i206.photobucket.com/albums/bb127/Davebbell/Jerry-Lee-Lewis-with-teenage-cousin-who-he-married-in-1957-224461.jpg) it is said that the parents of the 13 year old were upset, but forgave the killer pretty quick. It is also said that Lewis couldn't visit England, not because he was defined as a child molester but because he failed to divorce an earlier life and was a bigamist.
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Cool pics Dave! :boozing:
I have to ask, THAT very guitar, or one just like it?
PS: I hope to see you in Ohio.
John Henry
Not that one. One like it. I also wasn't very good and just used it to play the top four strings for our cheap version of a bass guitar. Later, we got some good stuff, including a Model 55 Shure Mic like that one in the picture and a Fender Stratocaster, which I bought in 63 for $125.
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Thanks for the tour, looks like fun. Been to Hot springs yet? The Buckstaff is nice, mineral bath, needle shower, massage oh yea!
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Good grief, I don't know much,(if anything), about guitars, but I know you got the deal of the century there. Of course hind sight is 20/20.
John Henry
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Well that's sort of it. I went to Hot Springs and got a killer massage at Thai Mi (so far, not one person has quipped "Thai mi up, Thai mi down". However, the massage was totally legit by a woman named Jeanette whom I highly recommend and can make you weak in the knees.
Note on the performance of the little Guzzi: I love the v7 Stone. I weigh 270# and am 6'1". I can do 400 miles in a day on the bike. It runs rough for a few minutes, when cold, but is totally reliable so far, and I deliberately did some 80 mph on the slab home. Mileage was 50+ on the Parkway, down to 41 when slabbing. The only problem was that the aux lights I mounted vibrated loose and I lost one screw so I zip tied it and got home.
I'm going to do the 6000 mile maintenance as soon as I get the plugs and oil filter, so I'll be anxious to see how the plugs look.
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Thanks for the tour, Dave. It looks like you had a great trip.
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:1: On the civil rights museum . Thanks for the tour Dave :bow:
Funny story about the pyramid . I was taking a trip to Charleston SC for work after Hugo smashed up the SC coast . My traveling companion , now known to be a BS artist of the 1st degree , tried his best to convince me the Pyramid was a modern trash incinerator :rolleyes:
Dusty
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Who would have thought to see a car like that :smiley: with the twin spares?
Bikes were good too :thumb: