Natchez Trace Camp - Friday, August 15, 9:25 pm

Got here late and had a bit of trouble finding the spot in the dark. But now I am sitting at the table munching a sandwich and swigging lemonade.

This is a favorite place for Max and I to overnight. It is not an established camp, just a beach where folks come to fish and picnic. Perhaps "beach" is not the correct word, there is no sand, just grass beneath some very tall pine trees.  It is very scenic in the daylight, but a bit gloomy in the dark of the night. I had thought that we would arrive with plenty of daylight left but I overlooked the fact that daylight goes away sooner 500 miles east of home. 

The tricky part of getting here  in the dark is deciding where to leave the pavement.  There is no driveway or even a dirt track - no marker of any kind. Make a bad decision and the FJ and Casita will tumble down a steep bank into the thick forest, or worse, into the reservoir. I would never try this in the dark if I had not been here several times previously.

It will be an easy drive to Tuscaloosa tomorrow.  Should be there by noon and have plenty of time to find a nice place to stay for a couple of days. I am looking forward to seeing my son and grand kids.