Day 8 - Big Day

After a day of rest, we had to choose the campsite at only 40 kms or go to the next one at 117. 😳

We did it. 

We were blessed with great weather and smooth roads.  Although we definitely saw the most traffic today of any day on the Trace, and a few suspiciously large vehicles for a park road. But we were safe and all is well. 

The road follows the old trail, mostly. But there are marked times when the Old Trace is beside the road and you can hike it and experience it. That's the Old Trace behind us. 

Another day of beautiful trees as we cycled through the Tombigbee National Forest, and we benefited from their shadows as the sun was shining in a cloudless sky. 

The Trace has an old infrastructure with many old over passes over creeks and small roads. 

And today we got some variety with farmers fields creating an open feeling and letting the wind come across at us. 

(The early morning long shadows created this shadow selfie!)

We crossed the halfway point of the 444 mile long Natchez Trace today and stopped to acknowledge it, even though it was just another mile marker on the way. 

There was a gas station, just off the Trace. So close we could see it.....

We treated ourselves to a break and a snack. I got ice cream😊, Marc got a Coke. Made us both very happy. 

We ended the day at one of the 3 main campgrounds along the Trace, Jeff Busby. These campgrounds are free and first come first served. They have flush toilets, but no showers. But we are not complaining. Who needs a shower 😜

Dinner was a cup of cous cous topped with tuna, a delicious concoction when you are carrying your food and only have a Jet boil to help create meals. I must say, it was delicious, even if we had to eat at 4:45 as the sun was setting. Another early night. 

Stats - the only wildlife today were the hawks keeping us company. And a cute grey cat who came to visit us a dinner (did I mention we had tuna!?)

Long ride. Fast pace. 

Rumour has it, we pass a bakery tomorrow .....