Hiking on the Old Trace and finally getting to the bottom of Sheboss' place

Jackson: HA HA HA, She ain't boss no mo'!! See Jasmine, there was nothing to see at Sheboss place, so you ain't the boss of nothing! Especially not the boss of me!

Jasmine: Oh contraire mon frere I think Sheboss place proves my point completely. It is yet again a place on the Natchez Trace that a woman was fully in charge of. It was a trading post or supply stop that was run by a woman. All her husband could say in English was, "Sheboss" with a thumb stuck out to indicate his wife. I mean, come on...And remember Gordon's Ferry? Also run by a woman after her husband's death. I mean, these pioneer women were no joke!!!

Jackson: Well there is nothing there now, is what I am saying. About a 1/10 mile trail that doesn't even tire me out and leads to a cemetary that didn't even look historical. So really, what was the point?

Jasmine: Just like a boy to not understand the historical significance of the place. And speaking of historical significance, did you like our other stop on the Trace this week at least?

Jackson: Well, yeah, now that was more my speed. We got to hike on an old section of the original Natchez Trace. Now that was cool! I am sure the path wasn't as broad or cleared in the olden days, but with the golden leaves falling all around and no sign of modern life visible, it was a bit like stepping back in time. and with the 1/2 mile there and back trail, it was perfect for me. Unfortunately mom and dad had to go there and back twice. They kept saying something about my back fat...I don't know what they are talking about. This extra roll makes me look distinguished!

Jasmine: Well at least they didn't laugh at you for never even noticing the deer on the trail! I can't help it if he was upwind!! PLus there was just so much to sniff!! Well, for a short day on the trails and for the enjoyment of all the fall colors, I would definitely give our hike two paws up. What about you, Jack?

Jackson: Agreed. These were some great trails at the peak of fall colors. What glorious fall days we have had!! Maybe if we get a few more mom and dad will take us out again before it gets too cold.

Da kitty takes over da computer!!!

Dis is how a kitty works out. Those pups are so dumb!

It is all in the sprawl and the slight closing of the eyelids. Ah, the comfort of it all.

Well, back to napping!!

---Tuck

The Devils Backbone

"I know why they call it the Devil's Backbone. It's cuz the Devil lets you in, but he won't let you out!!" --Luke G., age 6

Jackson: All I am saying is we should have listened to Max. His family hiked the Devil's backbone. They told Max it was not a place for nice little pups, but nooooo we didn't listen! **scratch, scratch, scratch**....

Jasmine: What are you talking about! This was a great hike **scratch**, even if we did pick up a few **scratch scratch** unwanted friends on the way **scratch scratch scratch**

Jackson: Well just stop scratching and tell everyone about how you dragged me through the woods for miles, already....

Jasmine: OK, well the Devil's backbone trail is found in the Devil's Backbone Natural Area off of the Natchez Trace Parkway. It is south of some of the other trails we have been on, such as the Gordon Ferry House and Jackson Falls. It is a beautiful wooded area with a stream running though it at the low points, but it has a ridge line running through it as well, hence the "backbone" part of the name. The trail is a loop trail that is billed to be just under 3 miles long, although we found it to be a bit longer...

Jackson: A bit?!?!? Try at least a mile longer!!!

Jasmine: OK, so about a mile longer, what is the big deal? It was a nice hike with pretty surroundings and gentle grades for the most part. It was a wonderful day and a nice car ride there and back. Maybe next time, though, I would suggest that the humans bring water and a snack or something with them.

Jackson: You didn't mention the wrong turn you took.

Jasmine: Wrong turn? I don't know what you are talking about. THere was that extra exploring we did, but I don't know about a wrong turn...

Jackson: Oh, you know just what I am talking about. We came to that unmarked place in the trail where we had to choose to go right or left. "It has to be right" you said, "I am sure of it!" But after a quarter of a mile, it was all "oops, this is a dead end, grr...lets go back...". And I think that is about when my paws started to hurt! Not to mention you started running after that in an attempt to try to figure out if we were totally lost or if we were ever going to get back to familiar territory!! Good thing I noticed that the trail was marked with white blazes on the trees. I knew if we kept following those, we would get back...or at least I hoped so!

Jasmine: Well, you sure did drag your feet on that last mile. But we did make it back (thank goodness) and were all fine and dandy. Until that hound dog at the trail head mented the "tiny little bugs". That is when we saw them. Chiggers! And the humans started dancing around trying to get them off. Now that is what I call humor!

Jackson: I didn't see them trying to get the buggers off of us! But with my thick skin I barely feel them anyway...but we at least got a drink of water and a nice car ride home. And then a nice long nap!!

Jasmine: Now, just a little dieting, Jack, and you might lose that extra layer of insulation you have going there.

Jackson: Hey, that isn't fat, I am just big boned!!

Jamine: In the neck? Never heard of that before....

Jackson: I am going to get you!!! Right after I get this little critter... ***scratch, scratch, scratch***

We miss our hikes!!

We are getting quite lazy!!Mom, Dad, we want to go hiking!!!!!!!!!!

An adventure with mom exploring the history of the area

Jackson:

Well, mom took me on a hike this week, but forgot to take pictures, so this shot is not of me, but we did see some waterfalls!

It was scary at first...there was a strange man with a big stick to greet me when we got out of the car. But then another pup showed up with some kids, so that was OK. Mom left Jasmine at home with dad. HA HA! But I missed her, and I heard she missed me...crying and whining while we were gone.

So we took off on our hike. First, some big creatures! Cows, they were called. A buzzard was trying to get at a newborn calf. But momma cow would have none of it! She was snorting and blocking the calf and it was good she was far away from us!

Then we went through a long tunnel. The echo freaked me out! Plus I was still a bit nervous from the cows.

But that is when the fun began. Woods and leaves and trail. Oh what fun!! We saw two waterfalls. Both very cool. One we could go behind. The man with the stick said that two men (and believe me I don't totally understand this part, but mom did) lived in the little cave behind the waterfall at the time of the Civil War. They were Confederate soldiers who did not want to fight. Their families brought them food and they stayed in the woods until the war was over, then went back home to their families.

Some time later, in that same place, whiskey makers kept their still there. I guess if I ever want to do something I don't want anyone to know about, THAT is the place to go! Like if I want to chew up one of mom's quilts...hmm...

So then we had to go up a big scary bluff, but with strong encouragement by the man with the stick, I did make it. Then back through the woods and to home for some good cool water and a long nap. It was great. But I admit I was pretty happy to see my sis when I got home!!

If I get some pictures of the event from the other pup (her name was Tinkerbell!) I will post them here as well!!

Jackson Falls and Bakers Bluff in Winter

Jasmine:

Well, why we did not get invited on this trip to the Trace, I do not know. Nevertheless I will take a moment to share some pictures of a winter hike mom and dad took. They went back to Jackson Falls and Baker's Bluff overlook. With no leaves it looks cold and dead, but the water was rushing and the place had a different sort of beauty, at least that is what I am told.

Jackson:

I am glad we did not have to go out in the cold. I enjoyed my nap at home in the sunshine. But the water does look inviting...a nice cool drink would be nice. Remember that long hill? I bet mom and dad huffed and puffed while going up it! This was a great place and day for a winter hike, though, with the sun streaming through the branches of the trees. The sound of the water would have filled our ears, Jasmine, but I bet it would be ice cold...no swimming at this time of year.

Jasmine:

So true Jack. Well, I can't wait until we get to go out again and the leaves start coming out and flowers growing and lots to sniff.