Lawrenceburg

As noted before we are at David Crockett State Park. It's interesting to see how the various parks compare. Earlier we were in Norris Dam State Park and it was as different from this as night and day. This park was dedicated in 1959. That is to say, before modern RVs and their larger space requirements. The roads are paved and so are the parking pads. Our pad is about average and we just fit. Water and electric at each site and a dump station on the way out of the loop. There are two camping areas, one at the bottom of the ill along the stream and another at the top of the hill in the woods. We're in the top camping area. There are many deer in the woods here and we see several each time in and out of the campgrounds. Last night it got to the mid 30's and a water pipe broke. It was a 4" pipe about 3'  down, so I don't think it froze but it meant no water all day. Some campsites have stone fireplaces that must date from the early days of the park.

Yesterday we went in to Lawrenceburg, which is right next door to the park. There is this statue of David Crockett in the center square. It's an old time town square trying to stay alive with various antique stores and junk emporiums. North of town is the growth area, if you can call it that, with the WallMart Supercenter and the more modern stores. Out of town, north on Rt. 43 can be seen elements of an Amish community. There are the usual buggy rides being offered and a great furniture outlet made out of an old motel. There are also a couple of shops that serve as both stores for the Amish to get some few things and an outlet for some of their wares. We bought a dynamite Walnut Spice Cake, great with cream cheese! For some reason, they had  a tractor parade on Saturday. It was passing the store just as we stopped. This is an interesting look at the Amish. There is none of the polish of Lancaster, PA. These are very ordinary, trying to get by, folks like the rest of us and they look just a little more out of place than they do in other enclaves I've visited.

Today, we finally had sunshine so we went back up the Trace to the Meriweather Lewis monument and burial place. What a tragedy. The man was only 35 years old and had the great accomplishment of the Lewis & Clark Expedition in his past and a bright future. Yet he died here in the wilderness in suspicious circumstances and we're left with the mystery. I've read "Undaunted Courage", the story of the expedition, and to lose this man before we had the full story is just unfathomable. Of course, all his papers were lost with him. A fascinating story. The monument is incomplete in it's height to commemorate his shortened life.

We had a chance to get a better look at the Natchez Trace on the way back up. Here's a shot of the Trace as it appears today.








We also had a chance to drive a section of the Old Trace. There is a 2 1/2 mile section of the old trace open to vehicles (no RVs) on the northbound section.  It is paved but narrow and trees close in on the sides. It's a chance to feel more of the experience.

Tomorrow, it's off to Shiloh. Stay tuned.