One of the joys of being retired is the ability to drop and take off, if we haven't got a dr's appt ;) and so, we have long wanted to this trip. Can any of y'all recommend anything we must not miss, any quilt stores or shows etc along the way? As spring has sprung we're leaving Atlanta tomorrow and starting at the South end and working North. We do have to be back 5/5 for an oncologist appt (it will be 5 yrs :thumbup: ) and I already passed my MRI, so not too worried there. Thanks in advance for any advice...anybody along the way want a visit?

we did that trip and I don't remember any quilt shops. It is a beautiful drive. Hope your DH doesn't insist on driving OVER the speed limit like mine does. Slow down and enjoy!

Only thing I would say is , stop in Kosciusko MS and visit the home of L.V. Hull, an amazing folk artist. Check at the visitor center for directions.

Stop in Tupelo at Heirlooms Forever, it is on Cliff Gookin,there is an exit off the Trace for it, go to your
right on Cliff Gookin go about 3/4 to 1 mile it will be on
your left. They open at 10 o'clock. LOVE THIS SHOP!!

Beverly

drive slowly...hah :( , isn't that why they make radar detectors :?:

And thanks for the Tupelo mentions, I'll try to make it there, sounds great.

stop at the Mississippi Crafts Center in Ridgeland http://www.mscrafts.org/ , and while you are there, make a detour to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bernin...100?ref=search :-D

The Trace has a 50 mph speed limit! And no commercial traffic allowed.

Antebellum (sp?) homes in Natchez, Vicksburg National Military Park (gambling both places if you do that) then Nashville at the north end!

No gambling for us, thanks I can't see the point, we are just not "lucky" like some are. We use the Blue Ridge Parkway which has a 40 MPH speed limit to travel from N to S and back again usually end to end both ways if we've got the time, so we are familiar with that kind of travel and it's our choice. We stay off super highways if we can. Guess that's one of the "benefits" of driving an '89 VW camper van, altho we can keep up on highways it's more fun not to! Thanks for the additional suggestions, I haven't even packed yet....

Does the kitty in the harness go along?

We take our 2 in the camper and they love going "walkies" around campgrounds! Looking at everything and teasing the doggies LOL

Loveless Cafe at the end of the Trace when you get to Nashville is yummy! And if you like country music the Grand Ole Opry is always a good show. And I like this quilt shop:

http://www.thequiltersattic.com/

Oh, allow plenty of time to stop at all the sights along the Trace. Be sure to walk on a portion of the old Trace - it gives me the chills to think of how many walked that route!

Yes, Ray is our traveling buddy. We found him abandoned at a CG in Feb of this year this is the story if you missed it
http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-101154-1.htm

He's been on 1 shake down cruise for 4 days and DH kept letting him out, he kept disappearing and then reappearing at dusk, which was ok as we were in 1 place for 5 days. It will NOT be ok this trip. Our other traveling kitties would hop up on the picnic table and just stay or jump back in the bus, we need to work on Ray! Or DH, he can be a bit slow sometimes when he wants something to be.

I think we might already have been at the Lovelass, is that famous for biscuits and maybe lamb?????? I think Jane and Michael Stern recommend it and we went way out in the middle of nowhere if that's the place and it was totally worth it.

We will do as much walking as my health allows as that's one of our favorite things.

We're bringing our laptops so if you come up with any other suggestions please add 'em on and thanks for the ones so far. Happy Easter to those who celebrate it,

1 st nite report: We left around noon and got as far as Montgomery going back roads. Ray spent the whole trip on my arm rest facing backward. That is actually a bit better then the last time as he sat on my lap the whole trip. We're piled up in a Red roof Inn free breakfast and free kitty and free Internet...can't be beat. G is relaxing with a beer and his netbook and I'm relaxing with my netbook and Ray is relaxing my using his litterbox ;) . Gotta love a connected family.

Safe travels!

Teddi calls Red Roof "widdle wooms" and loves to see what she can find under beds in motels. YUCK!

We made Natchez tonite and went to dinner at a restaurant recommended by Roadfood.com. After 15 min of being ignored we left, went to a bar down by the mighty Missip. Had bar food, walked over, looked at the river and got back to the room. Came in and Ray was missing...oh no!! Could he have snuck out??? Nope, he got BEHIND the dresser and under it. Took me about 4 trips around the entire room even looking in the tub. G had to take the drawer out and haul him up. Doncha know there is this really skinny partly feral here at the motel. Had to tell him he was about 3 months too late, but still stood him to a good meal and will probably feed him every time he shows up.

Tomorrow, we'll see how many plantation houses we can do before I fall apart. We paid for 2 nights so Ray can stay in the AC and we don't have to worry about him frying.

Hoping y'all are safe and enjoying your travels even through the rough storms!

WOW, we were fortunately South of the storms, but our weather radio alerted 5 times. One for each line of storms that went thru. We were parked right next to the bathhouse to dart in if necessary. We were South of all the damage and have just driven thru a lot of it on the Trace. Big trees are all beside the road, they have cut thru anything on the road, but it seems really lucky that where the worst twister hit the trees were back off the road so not too much work.

I am saddened to hear of the loss of life. We know that our friend in Tuskaloosa (sp)is ok, but bad property damage. We are detouring to Memphis to visit a friend VW camper buddy so I will check to see what's around there re quilting shops!