Natchez Trace Parkway – Pharr Mounds

Pharr Mounds - Zoomed-in view of mound from the overlook

img alt tags Pharr Mounds is the next stop on my Natchez Trace Parkway exploration at milepost 286. Quote from the entrance sign: Pharr Mounds is the largest and most important archaeological site in northern Mississippi. Eight large dome-shaped burial mounds are scattered over an area of 90 acres (100 football fields). These mounds were … Read more

Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center

Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center - History timeline displays

Made a brief stop at the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center in Tupelo, Mississippi to learn more about the history and culture highlighted along the route. If you have the time I strongly recommend watching the educational film detailing what the Trace is, historic use, culture, and the modern Parkway. There is a large history … Read more

Owl Creek Mounds Archaeological Site

Owl Creek Mounds - View of Mound II from atop Mound I

Took a short detour about 3 miles west of the Natchez Trace Parkway for a stop at the Owl Creek Mounds Archaeological Site in the Tombigbee National Forest. The site is of importance to the Chickasaw Nation and the story of Mississippian period in the Southeastern United States and is recognized on the National Register … Read more

Crazy Horse Memorial

Crazy Horse Memorial - View of monument from parking lot with zoom lens

Overnight temps were very mild in the 60’s and I could have lounged at the lake drinking coffee all day without much argument, but instead I arose and broke camp quickly to maximize the daylight hours that are now growing noticeably shorter all the time. One of the main “to-do’s” of my trip was to … Read more

Tuzigoot National Monument

Tuzigoot National Monument - View of the pueblo

Continuing the Arizona cultural tour around the Coconino National Forest area, my next stop is at Tuzigoot National Monument in Clarkdale. It’s a relatively small National Monument geographically but still worth a visit if history and archaeology interest you. For this location escpecially it is crucial to see the visitor center. There are many artifacts … Read more