2018 Return Trip from Florida Central Route

Even though visitor's center was closed on Tuesday when we arrived & we saw no signs for "no overnight parking", we slept in the parking lot. Periodically during the night cars would drive in & out. It was quiet but a little disconcerting as to what these people were doing at midnight, 1am, 2am, 3am... in a Visitor Center parking lot. Next morning, we enjoyed the center, watched a video about the Natchez Trace Parkway and why & how it was developed. Ohio route in early 1800's for traders to travel back north after rafting down the Mississippi river. Very interesting. A must see to drive the 444 mile parkway through 3 states.

Stayed 2 nights at the Lake b/c it was beautiful weather & a very pretty place. Surprisingly, the nuclear power plant was across the river & sort of ruined the view but it was a nice sunset. W & E & dump station available .Good deal on camping for two nights-$36.64

Bill wanted to stop here b/c it was advertised they had 100's of trikes. Well, bait & switch...only 6 trikes to look at. That was disappointing to him.

Walmart. We parked near a hotel in Walmart. Many joined us as the night progressed. Was tempted to go to hotel for free breakfast in the morning.. but didn't....at least not this time.

A large white Cross off of Exit 112 in Groom, Texas (19-story, 2 ½ million pound, steel cross)over a dozen life-sized bronze sculptures that portray Jesus’ journey to the cross. There is also a replica of the Shroud of Turin, the Empty Tomb, an Abortion Memorial, a bronze sculpture of St. Michael the Archangel, and The Ten Commandments. Gift shop, auditorium to watch film of history of the Cross ministries and how this was developed & also of Jesus life. They keep building and adding to this since it was really only the cross 8 yrs ago when we stopped along way during our move to Phx.

Quirky spot off I40 of painted Cadillacs sculptured to look like they were half buried. It must have rained a lot there b/c there was a lot of mud around the Cadillacs that you couldn't get near them to paint or write on them.

This was an interesting place to find to boondock. Found it on Campedium.com. South of I 40 and it probably took us 1/2 hr to get there. Thought we'd never find it. Gravel road with numerous disperse campsites. Glad we arrived in late afternoon while still daylight. We were basically by ourselves. Quiet.