The 444-mile Natchez Hint Parkway follows the route of an historic path filled with nice tales, historical past, and tradition. Starting in Natchez, Mississippi and ending in Nashville, Tennessee, “The Hint” connects many cities and sights throughout Mississippi, Alabama, and Tennessee.
I spent three weeks driving The Hint from Natchez to Nashville one spring. It was my first time driving the second longest parkway within the Nationwide Park Service. Listed below are a few of my favourite photographs I captured throughout my first journey on The Hint.
Only a few miles alongside the Natchez Hint Parkway I got here to the Emerald Mound. It’s one of many many Native American burial grounds alongside The Hint. I didn’t stroll to the highest as a result of, regardless of the well-worn path, I wasn’t really positive if I ought to.
The Mount Locust Inn was a preferred cease an extended, very long time in the past. Vacationers alongside the Outdated Hint would cease right here to spend an evening and get a sizzling meal. Right now, it’s the location of a customer middle and the previous inn is open to stroll by means of.
I knew lengthy earlier than touring the Natchez Hint Parkway that the Sunken Hint was one of many most-photographed locations on the complete 444-mile drive. It’s a brief part of the Outdated Hint that has sunken deep into the bottom from a long time of foot site visitors.
River Bend Overlook (pictured above and beneath) was nearly a superbly peaceable place to take a break from driving. I used to be having fun with lily pads floating throughout the river’s floor when out of the blue the peace was damaged by boats jetting throughout the water with rafters in tow. Not less than they have been having a great deal of enjoyable!
Cypress Swamp was certainly one of my favourite locations on the Natchez Hint Parkway. It could sound unusual to know a swamp was high of the record, however the boardwalk crossing the swamp between big tupelo bushes was merely wonderful.
French Camp was probably the most shocking discovery on the Natchez Hint Parkway. Lovely historic buildings to discover. A restaurant with actually nice meals. You can even spend an evening in one of many rustic log cabins!
Simply after leaving Tupelo behind I discovered these Accomplice troopers’ graves hidden on a brief spur street. It was peaceable, nearly eerily quiet. And I don’t know who planted the American flags.
Pharr Mounds have been fairly removed from the Natchez Hint Parkway, however I might nonetheless see them with a telephoto lens. These have been the final burial grounds I handed on The Hint.
Someone determined to take a break from jet snowboarding alongside the Tennessee River at Colbert Ferry Park. I by no means did discover the rider, however I positive did take pleasure in that view for some time. A protracted whereas.
Tom’s Wall, as it’s regionally recognized, was an iconic cease alongside the Natchez Hint Parkway in Alabama. Took a bit to search out it; it’s positioned simply off The Hint and there isn’t any official parking. I took a stroll by means of the paths lined with 1000’s of stones and it was not like anyplace I’d ever visited earlier than.
The Meriwether Lewis Memorial is among the most intriguing I’ve ever seen. The memorial stands in a discipline close to the inn the place the famed explorer was mysteriously killed. The highest of the memorial was left incomplete, signifying his life being lower quick.
I visited Steel Ford early on a Saturday morning to discover a father and son unpacking their gear beside the river. They have been going fishing in a canoe! Half an hour later they have been floating down the river whereas I comfortably snoozed on dry land.
The Gordon Home Historic Website was an fascinating cease, however in the end disappointing. I walked across the attractive two-story brick house however apparently it’s by no means open for folks to discover.
The Double Arch Bridge. Lengthy earlier than arriving on the north finish of the Natchez Hint Parkway minutes from Nashville I had heard of this bridge. I had seen photos of the bridge. However whereas everybody else wished an image from floor stage, I opted to park on the finish and stroll throughout the bridge for a totally completely different angle.
This was my closing expertise on the Natchez Hint Parkway. I need to do it over again.
