Natchez Meet - October 6th

[skyflier1971]

*** Check this post for updates ***

Natchez, MS Meet & Trace Ride - October 6th 2007.

Lunch Location: Lil Dagos' Cafe (29 Sergeant Prentiss Dr @ SouthGate Mall)
Reservation Time: 11:00am (Reservations have been made for at least 20 people)

Staging Location: Wal-mart parking lot (314 Sergeant Prentiss Dr)
Staging Time will be from: 12:00 noon to 12:30pm

National Park maps will be available at the staging area. I’ll have an FRS radio with me during the ride, if you want car to car communication please be sure to bring your own. We will designate a channel prior to leaving Wal-mart. If you have any questions or concerns about the Trace ride please bring them to my attention prior to leaving the Wal-mart parking lot. I’ll do my best to answer them. I’ve lived a few miles from the park my entire life, and have driven it more times than I can count. So I may be able to provide some useful information.

We will leave the Wal-mart parking lot at 12:30pm and make our way to the parkway entrance. Please make sure you have plenty of gas in your car before you get to the staging area. As there are no gas stations on the southern end of parkway. I estimate our time of arrival at Mount Locust to be around 12:50pm. We will leave this stop around 1:30pm and continue to travel north. We should arrive at Rocky Springs around 2:15 or 2:30pm. This should give us plenty of time to secure a camping/cooking area. It will also give us time to explore and take pictures before we eat. I’d like to start grilling around 4:00 and eat around 4:30pm.

Things you should consider while traveling this National Park.

1. The Natchez Trace Parkway speed limit is 50mph and is strictly enforced.
2. There’s an abundance of wildlife on the parkway. This park is their refuge and they know it. So stay alert and please don’t tailgate the car in front of you. You never know when someone may slam on brakes for animals crossing the road.
3. Be sure to bring your camera, folding chairs and insect repellant. If you plan to camp in the park be sure to bring your own supplies for the night.
4. If you want to walk the trails in the park watch your step and be aware of your surroundings. Snakes, fire ants and poison ivy can ruin your park visit.
5. Don’t litter and please don’t disturb any campers while in the park. They will report you to the park rangers.
6. The park is federal property do not bring alcohol, weapons or firearms into the park.
7. All natural, historical, and archeological objects are protected by federal law.
8. The parkway has no stop signs or traffic signals and very few intersections. It’s just a smooth winding country road. And if you let it, it will transport you back in time.

Keeping these few simple rules in mind, you will experience a trip like no other. The park is truly a beautiful place, but it can also be a dangerous place if you are careless. You will find there are plenty of places along the Trace to stop, stretch your legs and take pictures. Regrettably, we will not have time to stop at all of them. But maybe someday you can return and explore it at your own pace. This National Park is truly one of the natural wonders of the southeast, and has been recognized by the National Scenic Byways Program for it's historic significance and scenic qualities.

Check out the official Natchez Trace Park web page: http://www.nps.gov/natr/

Here is some additional information about the stops we will be making.

1st Stop: < Park Mile Marker 15.5 > Mount Locust... A restored historic house, located on one of the first stands built along the Natchez Trace. There is no fee to tour this home or exhibits. This stop includes restrooms & a ranger station.

The Ride: The Natchez Trace is always beautiful year around and always well kept >> So roll your windows down and let the sunroof back, as we travel from Mount Locust to Rocky Springs. During this ride you are guaranteed to see beautiful wildlife and scenic areas along the way. Whitetail deer are very abundant in the park and it would be almost impossible to not encounter several along this ride. Be cautious and, remember, don’t tailgate the vehicle in front of you.

2nd & Final Stop: < Park Mile Marker 54.8 > Rocky Springs... This stop has plenty to see and do. There are outdoor grills for cooking, places to camp and walking trails to explore. A beautiful creek runs through the park at this stop. So, walk the sand bars and skip a few rocks. Go and explore the spooky old Church and Cemetery built in the 1800’s. This park stop includes restrooms, and fresh running water and plenty of camping sites. "FYI - The speed limit inside this camping area is a crawling 5-10mph. Kids are playing, people are camping, and some of them are trying to have a peaceful vacation. If you don't abide by the park rules, we could all be fined and surely kicked out. Craziness will not be tolerated by the park rangers!!!"

After our stop at Rocky Springs you will have several choices.

1. Return home via the Natchez Trace?
2. Let me provide an escorted short trip to I-55 south? (entry to I-55 will be via Hwy 27 to Crystal Springs, MS)
3. Keep traveling north on the Trace and stay the night in Jackson,MS area?
4. Camp out at Rocky Springs? It's spooky at night > are you brave enough?

It's up to you.

Attending List:

1. skyflier1971 > Jackson,MS
2. MutantCheese > New Orleans,LA
3. sbigshot > LA
4. hondagoalie > Mobile,AL
5. 06Si_LoveR > Baton Rouge,LA
6. piNNoy > ????
7. 07si_guy > Star,MS
8. prime time si > LA
9. Civic4u > Humble,TX
10. ta7golf > Baton Rouge,LA
11. yetanotherSI > Arkansas
12. SiGuY9685 > Baton Rouge,LA

Hotel Reservations @ Days Inn (109 Hwy 61 S) Ph# 601-445-8291

1. Mutant Cheese
2. Prime Time Si
3. Civic4u
4. hondagoalie
5. sbigshot

[MutantCheese]

My wife has been begging me to take her to a bed and breakfast in Natchez. She would like to visit the historic sites there. This may work out for a family type meet.

[sbigshot]

Those dates should be good for me!!

Related thread on gnocivic:

http://www.gnocivic.com/forum/viewth...1317#post_1317

[K757]

Originally Posted by skyflier1971

I shared plans with Keith (K757) a while back about a (driving type) meet in the fall. I kinda let it go for fear that no one would be interested because it involved everyone coming to Mississippi.

Anyway, the gist of it went sorta like this.

1.) Everyone meet in Natchez.
2.) Drive north on the Natchez Trace. (GNOCivic Conquers the Trace "at a slow speed" Style)
3.) Stop at a few historical sites for photos.
4.) Stop at Rocky Springs Park, to cook on the grill. FOOD!!!

I know a short cut that could get everyone back on I-55 south from Rocky Springs. So everyone could be back in LA by at decent hour.

By no means is this something that we have to do. It's just an idea, if y'all think it sucks it won't hurt my feelings. But if you like the idea, please provide suggestions and feedback.

The road, Natchez Trace, is a really smooth road with excellent scenery: overhanging tree lined road, parks along the way and basically deserted (in the area I saw). It is a National Park and the rangers have nothing to do except wait for vehicles exceeding the speed limit, so speed is really not recommended. Yes, speeding in a National park goes on the license.

Bobby showed me the park where he is thinking. I liked it. great photo opportunities for sure. In the park there is a "dead" village from "back in the day". I swear there were ghosts in the cemetery, but have no proof. If you have been wanting to experience some wilderness, this is it.

Natchez is a nice meeting area as they have a great welcome center with a large parking lot for photos (with a huge hill for "aerial shots"), some hotels, old-town shopping... essentially travel back in time to the way it was. (close by is a new mall, hotels and restaurants, etc.)

This would surely be a great day of Civic'n.

Baton Rouge to Natchez, MS is ~ 2 hrs

[bizzybearfigiblue]

stickied this so it gets more attention...

[hondagoalie]

sweet guys.. That sounds really awesome.. i am game for Natchez..

[Civic4u]

Have fun guys! Too far for me...363 mi – about 6 hours 4 mins..

[06Si_LoveR]

Interesting... I'm sure I won't have anything better to do... and we are LONG OVERDUE for a meet

[piNNoy]

whats the speed limit in the park?


im in!

[Civic4u]

Originally Posted by piNNoy

whats the speed limit in the park?


im in!

You scare me

[K757]

Originally Posted by piNNoy

whats the speed limit in the park?

how about this, you stay in the middle of the pack to remain protected.

[07si_guy]

i'm in

[06Si_LoveR]

Originally Posted by piNNoy

whats the speed limit in the park?


im in!

Man you wild... did we learn nothing

[hondagoalie]

well there will be PLENTY of cameras this time for your police chase lol

[ta7golf]

i am from baton rouge...i will try to attend..

[K757]

Originally Posted by ta7golf

i am from baton rouge...i will try to attend..

"Do, or do not. There is no 'try.'"
-- Jedi Master Yoda

[skyflier1971]

Speed limit in the park is 50mph!!!

It has always been my understanding that speeding on the Natchez Trace Parkway was considered a FEDERAL OFFENSE, because its a "National Park".

I want to stress to everyone >>> That if we do this, I will not drive over the speed limit while in the park. I think we must respect the law on this meet, and I'd love to see others commit to this idea. If you can't commit, then it would be best that you don't attend.

We are not meeting to race each other or anyone else. We all know we have fast cars. No need to prove anything to anyone. I'm very serious about this. And I'd be very disappointed with our group if anyone tried to turn a ride in a National Park into a NASCAR race.

Can I hear an "Amen" brother?!?!

[K757]

Aaaaaaaaaaa-men

I'm in

[hondagoalie]

pssh yall couldnt handle the automatic Lx on hubcaps anyways lol.. I am STILL in!!

[K757]

Originally Posted by hondagoalie

pssh yall couldnt handle the automatic Lx on hubcaps anyways lol.. I am STILL in!!

your exhaust makes you much faster