Natchez to Rocky Springs Campground

April 8, 2025

After a hotel breakfast we loaded our non-biking gear into the van, gathered our lunch and snacks, and pedaled a mile and a half though Natchez to the start of the Trace.

It was chilly and I wore multiple layers. I was overdressed and stopped three times in the first two hours to de-layer.

The road surface on the Natchez Trace Highway is perfect. The terrain went from level to gentle up- and down-slopes.

After 13 miles we left the Trace for a mile to check out Emerald Mound, the second largest Indian mound in the country dating from 1300 to 1600. It features two tiers and is enormous.

The lower portion and right half of Emerald Mound

Back on the Trace we cruised along for another 20 miles. At this point I was feeling surprisingly strong, so I joined some other riders and left the Trace to check out Windsor Ruins. The Windsor plantation house was built just before the outbreak of the Civil War. In 1890 a large party was held during which a careless guest dropped a lit cigarette. A fire broke out and burned the three-story house to the ground. All that remained were these columns. They are both majestic and spooky, and well worth the extra 12 or so miles. Note the blue skies in the picture below.

In Port Gibson, we briefly rode on Highway 61, the famous Blues Highway

This side trip was hillier and bumpier than the main route. We were ducking a headwind until the descent into Port Gibson where we raided a small grocery store (that was once a Piggly Wiggly).

After snacks and drinks we continued on for another 17 miles to Rocky Springs campground. We were expecting pit toilets but were happy to see actual restrooms. There were no showers and no potable water. The ACA trailer carried plenty of water so there were no worries.

We’ve been stopping at nearly every historical sign, most of which seem to describe Grant’s grind toward nearby Vicksburg.

Dinner was a feast cooked by Jeff and Beth Ann our tour leaders. There were no complaints from my tummy.

I neglected to mention The Mule hit 79,000 miles recently.

Today's ride: 73 miles (117 km)
Total: 86 miles (138 km)

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