Day 1 - Nashville to Leipers Fork

Weather app says 4% chance of rain. 

We wake up to what we think is a sunrise only to open the hotel curtains to find the parking lot light shining in, and darkness and rain. 

Spirits not dampened!

Day 1 on the Natchez Trace had us park the Subaru at the Rangers Station (the car will stay there until we are done, which is great).  Not wanting to miss any mile markers, we cycled north to the "end" (mile marker 444, although we never saw it 😳) and we enjoyed the Loveless Cafe. The Biscuit Sampler Platter was exactly what we were looking for - fried chicken, fried green tomatoes, ham and sausage and grits... And biscuits biscuits biscuits. Good thing we had to ride back to Leipers Fork, needed some calorie burning exercise.

The Natchez Trace Parkway is beautiful. Golden hues and burgundy leaves still clutching to the trees, with pops of red and yellow. With three quarters of the leaved fallen, there is a carpet of colour as well.  

So few cars we forget we have to share the road sometimes, but actually the posted signs explain that cyclists are allowed to use the full lane. Sweet. 

We enjoyed the historic village of Leipers Fork as the sun came out this afternoon, at the famous Fox and Locke. Missed the live music but enjoyed the Mississippi Mud Cake. 

We are spoiled with an amazingly welcoming Warm Showers host, offering us our own little space with everything we could ask for, bed, shower, washer dryer, kitchen, total comfort, and even a beer as we arrived. Overlooking a horse farm and surrounded by wooded acres. 

Enjoying this adventure!!

Wildlife encounters: 

Blue Jays, Cardinals, Vultures and Hawks, and some other beautiful black and white birds. We could also hear the wood peckers and an owl.  

Armadillos! Two so far. 

A few nice loud motorcycles and two road bikers, "on your left!". Ok I know I am slow, I am fully loaded. 

Good start, just over 50 kms, some sweet hills, for climbing slowly and going fast!