Natchez Trace Compact

Pioneer Day at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center, February 25, 2012

admin — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 20:26:55 +0000

The Tombigbee Pioneer Group will perform living history demonstrations that show the challenges faced and creative solutions developed by those Americans who lived in the area from the 1700s to 1840. The demonstrations will take place at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center (located at milepost 266 near Tupelo, Mississippi) from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 25, 2012. The public is invited to watch pioneer lifestyle activities that often include corn-shuck doll making, basket weaving, beading, and quill pen demonstrations. Leatherworking and mountain dulcimer demonstrations will also be offered throughout the day. Children are invited to participate by dressing up in pioneer clothes and trying these activities firsthand.

This program is free to the public. For additional information, please call the visitor center at: 662-680-4027 or 1-800-305-7417.

-NPS-

The Natchez Trace Parkway Presents Traditional Music by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association

admin — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 14:45:32 +0000

A special program of dulcimer music will be provided by the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 18, 2012, at the Parkway Visitor Center located at milepost 266 near Tupelo, Mississippi.

The North Mississippi Dulcimer Association teaches dulcimer history, tradition, craftsmanship, and music by sharing its knowledge and talents. The Appalachian mountain dulcimer is the first instrument developed in the United States. Dating back to the early 1800s, the dulcimer is an instrument whose very name means “sweet sound.” The National Park Service and the North Mississippi Dulcimer Association invite everyone to listen to the soft sweet sounds of the dulcimer and learn of its extensive history.

This program is free. For additional information, call 662-680-4027 or 1-800-305-7417.

Waterfalls along the Natchez Trace

admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:38:46 +0000

There are a few beautiful waterfalls along the Natchez Trace Parkway:

Jackson Falls

Jackson Falls – Named for Andrew Jackson, the falls are on the intermittent Jackson Branch that empties into Duck River. Take out your camera to capture the sparkling water against the rocks. A steep trail takes you to a clear pool at the base of these falls. You won’t want to miss seeing this waterfall!

Milepost: 404 – Close to Nashville, Tennessee

Fall Hollow

Fall Hollow – Fall Hollow is just off the Parkway. Fall Hollow is just north of the US 412 intersection. A path and a set of wooden bridges take you across the small creeks. The path ends at a deck where you can look down at the largest waterfall. Past this point the path becomes very rocky and steep. Fall Hollow is simply gorgeous.

Milepost: 391.9 – A few miles north of Meriwether Lewis Park and eight miles east of Hohenwald, Tennessee.

Owens Creek

Owens Creek – Owens Creeks Falls drops into a rock overhang. Sand gathers at the bottom of the pool. The base of the falls will be cooler in summer due to the waterfall cooling the air. This was a landmark for early Natchez Trace travelers, and is a stopping point for drivers and hikers.

The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail leaves the parkway and travels past Owens Creek Falls to a small picnic area. The trail heads in both directions from the parkway for extended hikes. Come see this pretty waterfall located northeast of Natchez.

Milepost: 52.4

“The Curious Savage” Theater Performance

frenchcamp — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:23:42 +0000

For a fun yet poignant treat, come to this FCA theater production set for February 24 – 25, 2012, put on by the staff and students of French Camp Academy. A matinee is scheduled for Friday afternoon at 12:30. Evening performances on Friday and Saturday will be at 7:00. The Curious Savage by John Patrick is a comedy about the Savage family, The Cloisters, and greed.

Ethel Savage’s three step-children commit her to a mental hospital, The Cloisters, because she wants to give away the 100 million dollars their late father left her. However, she has secreted away the money to thwart their efforts to further their libertine lifestyles. While a patient at The Cloisters, Ethel leads them on a wild goose chase, and with the help of her new friends, manages to fulfill her dreams.

Matinee admission prices are $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for students. Evening prices are $8.00 for adults and $4.00 for students. Please call Sylvia Dickson for more information at 662-547-6482.

Guests who reserve a night at the French Camp Bed and Breakfast Inn for that Friday or Saturday and use the promo code “fcaplay” will receive two complimentary tickets.

Show your ticket at the Council House Cafe on the 24th or 25th and receive 25% off your meal!

Birdwatching

sheffield — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:56:29 +0000

Birdwatching – The northwest loop of the North Alabama Birding Trail boasts more than a dozen sites located primarily in the Shoals area. Winding back and forth across three major sporting lakes along the Tennessee River, Wheeler, Wilson, Pickwick, these sites offer fantastic birding opportunities. Several sites are noted for their impressive congregations of winter birds – waterfowl, eagles, gulls – as well as a long list of rare or vagrant species to the state. Leighton Ponds, with its assemblage of flooded sinkholes, is one of Alabama’s best interior sites for shorebird migration. The Natchez Trace Parkway with its wooded, scenic byway offers Barred Owls and Wild Turkey. Another site on the historic Trace, Rock Springs, is renowned for its concentration of fall migrating hummingbirds. These sites and more make for great birding in the Shoals area. (256) 383-0783. www.northalabamabirdingtrail.com

Birdwatching

tuscumbia — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:54:15 +0000

Birdwatching

muscleshoals — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:50:40 +0000

Walking, Hiking, Biking Trails

tuscumbia — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:30:52 +0000

Walking, Hiking, Biking Trails, Several miles of hiking, walking, jogging and biking trails are available to the public on the TVA Reservation located in Muscle Shoals and Sheffield. Nature and wildflower walks are scheduled on a regular basis. A six mile-bike trail through historic downtown Sheffield is accessible from N. Montgomery Avenue. Two trails travel north on Montgomery Avenue, through the historic district and Standpipe (overlook) and then alongside the water’s edge at Riverfront Park, looping back to the starting point. Fifteen miles of hiking trails are maintained in Cane Creek Canyon Nature Preserve, located just a few miles outside the city limits of Tuscumbia. The Natchez Trace Parkway, a short distance to the west, is a designated bicycle route and boasts a bike-only campground at Colbert Ferry (mile marker 327) on the Trace.

For more information: (256) 383-0783

Walking, Hiking, Biking Trails

muscleshoals — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:28:44 +0000

For more information: (256) 383-0783

Walking, Hiking, Biking Trails

sheffield — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:27:22 +0000

For more information: (256) 383-0783

Whippoorwill Park

sheffield — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:20:12 +0000

Whippoorwill Park, 1201 N. Montgomery Ave., Sheffield, AL 35660. This 44-acre, wooded park is accessed within the historic downtown residential district and was laid out in the original town of Sheffield in 1884. Home to many species of wild flowers and plants, it is a bird sanctuary. Walking trails go all the way to the river. Vietnam Memorial on site. www.VisitSheffieldAL.com

Riverfront Park

sheffield — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:16:50 +0000

Riverfront Park, 1416 Alabama Avenue, Sheffield, AL 35660. This park boast one mile of inviting shoreline on Pickwick Lake. Variety of recreation available, including boat launch, fishing piers, docking facilities, picnicking, walking trails, splash pad, playground and restrooms. Kiwanis Boundless Playground located here. Park used for hosting major fishing tournaments and youth fishing rodeos. (256) 386-5615 www.VisitSheffieldAL.com Hours: 6 am-10 pm daily

Old Railroad Bridge

sheffield — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:10:56 +0000

Old Railroad Bridge, 2100 Ashe Blvd., Sheffield, AL 35660. This pedestrian bridge is 1,580 feet long and 14 feet high, offering a beautiful view of the Tennessee River. The pier dates back to 1832, the superstructure to 1903. The original bridge opened in 1839 as a toll bridge with trains crossing on the upper deck while wagons, pedestrians and livestock crossed over the bottom. Today, the pedestrian bridge provides a venue for special events and a beautiful view of the Tennessee River and Pickwick Lake. Adjacent to the bridge, access several miles of walking, jogging trails on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Reservation.

Regal Inn

sheffield — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:07:21 +0000

(256) 383-1114

4305 N. Jackson Hwy., Sheffield, AL 35660

Regal Inn of the Shoals is home 50 rooms for traveling guests.

Emerald River Hotel

sheffield — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:04:59 +0000

(256) 381-4710

4900 Hatch Blvd., Sheffield, AL 35660

www.emeraldriverhotel.com

Emerald River Hotel, houses 201 rooms and is a full service hotel. Amenities incuded are pet friendly rooms, exercise room, swimming pool, sauna/jacuzzi, restaurant, lounge, suites, high speed internet, complementary breakfast, banquet and meeting rooms, and outside plug-ins for fishing boats.

Days Inn

muscleshoals — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:50:04 +0000

(256) 383-3000

2701 Woodward Ave., Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

www.daysinn.com

Days Inn offers 77 rooms with pool availability, high speed internet, complementary breakfast, and outdoor plug-ins for fishing boats.

America’s Best Value Inn & Suites

muscleshoals — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:44:54 +0000

(256) 381-0236

2807 Woodward Ave., Muscle Shoals, AL 35661

This fifty-two room hotel offers pet friendly rooms, a swimming pool, high speed internet, complementary breakfast, and outside plug-ins for fishing boats.

Coldwater Inn & Suites

tuscumbia — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 20:37:32 +0000

(256) 383-6844

5101 Hwy. 43 S, Tuscumbia, AL 35674

Coldwater Inn & Suites holds the title of being Tuscumbia’s most unique hotel. Locally owned and operated the Inn boasts sweeping mahogany staircases and vast amenities for their guests. Amenities included are an exercise room, swimming pool, suites, wireless high speed internet, complementary hot breakfast, and out side plug-ins for fishing boats. Visit the only “boutique” style hotel in Tuscumbia.