MAFCA Natchez Trace Tour: On to Natchez

Day 8 (Wed 4/13)

Beginning Mileage: 91540

Ending Mileage: 91695

Total Mileage: 1428

Another PERFECT Model A day for the drive from Canton to Natchez.

We started the short drive to Natchez wanting to take our time and see as many sights as we could. With 200 Model A’s on the road, one would think you would see them everywhere but, in truth, we were so spread out you only saw a few and they seemed be the same cars you had seen throughout the tour. I think the reason for this is people with similar interests tended to stop at the same types of locations and sights.

Today brought two particular highlights, the Sunken Trace and Windsor Ruins. The Sunken Trace is a deeply eroded section of the Trace and is, in fact, on the cover of the NPS map provided to travelers. The interesting thing is the Sunken Trace actually splits into two parallel sections. As travelers walked the trace they eroded lower sections which soon became mud holes. Future travelers simply cut a new path which is evident here.

Windsor Ruins is the fascinating remains of an unbelievably large mansion built in 1861. Massive brick columns covered with cement supported the mansion and are all that remains of this 23-room, two-story living area with an above ground basement. After completing the construction, the owner died within weeks. The building survived the Civil War only to be destroyed by fire in 1890.

Sunken Trace

Windsor Ruins

The other amazing thing is how well the cars did. In our group there were very few problems. I had to clean the carburetor a few times as junk would get into the float valve. The worst thing to happen to our group was after making the 450 miles to the Nashville, Fred Thompson got within 20 miles of the return to Natchez and had some heating problems. I think he may have lost a head gasket.

Not My Turn

After spending some time inspecting the ruins, we made our short drive to Natchez where we cleaned up and attended the closing dinner. After dinner I was surprised to see so many people in the hotel lounge saying their goodbyes.

The OK Women

Colorado Cuties

A highlight for all was seeing two cars being driven by women from OK & CO. The advantage to a car full of women, they will ask for directions if they need them (but they didn't need any).