Leo dropped us an email the other day...

Hi, we are first time visitors in the Southern States of the US. We are planning a trip from NYC to Miami, visiting the Skyline Drive, Blue Ridge Pwy. On our way to Jackson/New Orleans we planned to stay in Tupelo overnight and driving down the NTP. We will be there mid-September. Will the leaves be changing colors then? Or is this too early? Do you have some tips which are a must cruising down the NTP? Thank you

-- Leo from the Netherlands

My answer below...

Ever wonder what it's like to hike on the Old Trace? (That historic stretch of roadway that today is merely a worn down foot and horse path in the few places that remain.)

Here are highlights, plus photos, of our favorite place to hike on the Natchez Trace Parkway: The Old Trace at milemarker 426.3.

I already wrote about my favorite roadtrip to take on the Natchez Trace Parkway.

My second favorite stretch of roadway along the Natchez Trace Parkway is the part that goes from Highway 96 in Franklin to just past Highway 46 exit in Leiper's Fork -- heading South.

A popular turnaround spot is the Garrison Creek rest area, about a mile past the Leiper's Fork exit.

The Natchez Trace Parkway map is nice, but it doesn't show all of the stops along the way. It only shows the largest and most pertinent ones -- in the eyes of the National Park Service.

I thought I'd share with you some of the "hidden gems" that can be found along the Trace, most of which are not included on the official map.

The following Natchez Trace Parkway sightseeing locations are numbered in order, as if you're entering the Trace at Highway 100 (Nashville/Bellevue, TN), then heading north and exiting at Highway 96 (Franklin, TN). This route spans just over 5 miles (one way).

Got an e-mail from Ray D. today. He writes:

I'm stationed at Ft Campbell, KY and would like to know the best way to tour part of the Trace on a Saturday or Sunday drive. Looking at directions from Nashville and just touring the portions of the Natchez Trace within TN with maybe side stops for lunch and or dinner or just snacks. Thanks for any feedback."

Following are my recommendations for a daytrip along the Tennessee portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway...

When I first moved to Tennessee, I was a little confused by this myself.

I figured there was only one Natchez Trace... Right?

Wrong!

In reality, there is a Natchez Trace Parkway and a Natchez Trace Park -- similar, yet different.

A two-mile hike is planned for 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 10th on the Natchez Trace near Nashville.

This event is hosted by the Harpeth River Watershed Association.

Working together to protect and restore the Harpeth River Watershed and provide expertise in statewide conservation policy

There are no commercial vehicles are allowed on the parkway. In fact, violation is a federal offense!

The maximum speed limit on the Trace is 50 mph most of the way.

As the exception, rather than the rule, the speed limit dips down to 40 mph at the northernmost tip (from Leiper's Fork at milepost 427 to the Natchez Trace Bridge near milepost 444).