Seriously though, it’s a great road. I’m a bit spoiled by the BRP and the mountain roads in NC so the comparison is unfair really. Actually, the trace is a contemplative road. Gentle curves, the slightest grade changes, little traffic and many places to pull off and read historical snippets and marvel at how noisy with critters the woods are.

It basically looks like this.

One of many pull-offs on the trace.

tracestop

Still a good ride and perfect weather besides the oppresive heat when stopped.

In Tupelo, I lucked out and stayed at a random Day’s Inn that was near a restaurant called the Neon Pig. This place is a gem. They’re a butcher shop, market and restaurant. Today’s special was fish tacos made with grilled salmon, seared tuna , kimchi, pickled onions, hoison sauce and various other goodies that sound a bit over the top but resulted in a good enough fish taco to earn a spot on the pannier.

neonsticker

And some shots of the place.

neon1

neongrill

neon2

Tomorrow is off to Nashville via the rest of the Trace.