Monday, after we checked out of the campground, we stopped at the Visitor Center, lucky for us, right here in Tupelo. We told the Ranger about the puppies, and she said it happens frequently. One of the Park Rangers is in charge of dumped dogs. Then, we learned more about the people and animals who once created and used The Trace. The Fed made it an official Post Road in 1830. That made the mail from DC to New Orleans arrive in less than the previous norm of four months. The Trace only handled foot and horse traffic, it wasn’t wide enough for wagons. The invention of the steam engine changed the need for The Trace. A steam ship was much nicer transportation than horseback,and faster. Soon, The Trace was all but abandoned.
By late morning, we exited The Trace, just north of the Tombigbee River Canal (that’s another story!) , and headed almost due east across the top of Alabama. In Florence, we missed seeing the coon dog cemetery, with heart-breaking epitaphs on the tombstones. Florence is the birthplace of Helen Keller, which we also missed seeing. We’re on US 72, Industrial Alley, so there are lots of log trucks hauling to International Paper, and other trucks hauling who knows what.
Tonight, we at the Monte Sano State Park, on the bluff above Huntsville, AL. I’ve spent some time in this city when I worked for Pfaff, and never knew this bluff was here. We have a view of the lights of the city through the naked trees. Nice park, danged cold tonight. We’re not going to the hardware store here, which is one of the best hardware stores anywhere!
Our destination tomorrow is Scottsboro, home of the Lost Luggage Depot. That suitcase that was lost on a trip, and never found? The chances are good that it ended up here. The AAA Tour Book says that almost anything that will fit in a suitcase or get shipped by plane might be in this city-block-big place. A flea market of sorts! We’re not looking for anything specific, but my curiosity required this stop.
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