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following morning, Lewis was found dead. Controversy still surrounds his death, with it officially being ruled a suicide. Yet, ample circumstantial evidence points to robbery/murder. Lewis was only 35.
The Middle Trace (Alabama and Northern/Central Mississippi)
Northwest Alabama Regional Airport (KMSL) is a great second landing point, which serves the Florence and Muscle Shoals area. Though uncontrolled, this field is well equipped with multiple runways and instrument approaches. Roughly 30 miles of the NTP crosses the northwest corner of Alabama, and it is all quickly accessible from KMSL. About a half-dozen points of interest fall within that short distance, the most notable being the Colbert Ferry Stand Site. This Tennessee River crossing point played a major role in both the War of 1812 and the improvements made to the trace throughout the years.
Before departing KMSL, music lovers may want to visit the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, where the “swampy” southern rock sound is rooted. Rock legends including The Rolling Stones, Cher, Paul Simon, Bob Seger and Aretha Franklin recorded there. Southern rock torchbearer Lynyrd Skynyrd did so, as well. In fact, the swamp lands mentioned in their classic hit “Free Bird” are on full display along the NTP with walks through and views of various cave springs, sloughs, bottoms and creeks. The Alabama Music Hall of Fame is also nearby. The music theme can be carried into the next stop, too.
Only 50 miles or so across the state line into Mississippi, the Class D Tupelo Regional Airport (KTUP) awaits. Tupelo is most famous as the birthplace of Elvis Presley. He and his parents lived there until he was 13. Then, looking for a better life, they loaded their meager possessions into a sedan and moved to Memphis. The house where Elvis was born in 1935 is preserved, even though the family was forced to leave it when Elvis was only 3. His father was unable to repay the $180 loan he’d secured to build the home. The two-room dwelling is now part of a museum dedicated to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll.
Centrally located along the NTP, the Parkway Visitor Center is just north of Tupelo. As with any NPS site, a stop at the visitor center can provide helpful information and touring tips. Trace State Park is just southwest of Tupelo and is one of the areas where visitors can hike original sections of the “Old Trace.” The last Civil War battle within Mississippi is commemorated within the Tupelo National Battlefield and other Civil War battlegrounds and graveyards are nearby. Thirty miles south of KTUP are the Bynum Mounds. While there are many native burial mounds along the trace, these are the oldest (dating 100 B.C.E.–100 C.E.). They are also the most easily accessible and close-up via paved pathways. If you’d prefer to fly there, the Houston Municipal Airport (M44) is nearby and perfectly suitable. However, no
JULY 2024
Jet-A fuel is available and ground transportation should be prearranged.
Another 100 air miles south of M44, is the Mississippi capital city of Jackson, where like Nashville, three airports are available. The principal being the Class C Jackson- Medgar Evers International (KJAN). While KJAN is the best in terms of services and facilities, it is also the most expensive and farthest from the NTP (though only about 10 miles). If you want to take in some of the city sites of Jackson, Hawkins Field (KHKS) is the downtown airport. It is Class D, underlying the outer ring of the Class C, advertises crew cars available and is closer to the NTP. Additionally, it is the nearest to downtown attractions such as the State Capitol Building, the Mississippi Civil Rights Museum and the Museum of Mississippi History. Finally, there is Bruce Campbell Field (KMBO), an uncontrolled field also under the Class C, on the north side. KMBO is perfectly situated, mere minutes from NTP, with suitable runway, approaches and fuel available. Rental cars would have to be prearranged there, however.
Two prominent features of central Mississippi are several Old Trace stand sites and the towering cypress trees with impressive exposed buttress root systems. The old stands are sprinkled all along the NTP in this area and each offers a slight variation in the history of the trace and its travelers. Fifteen miles north of Jackson (near NTP mile marker 120) is a beautiful hike through the Cypress Swamp. The water tupelo and baldcypress trees have extraordinary abilities to thrive in such places. They take root at the peak of summer when the swamp is nearly dry, but thereafter can survive as seedlings while fully submerged. Boardwalks will keep your feet dry as you trek across the wettest areas. The swamp walks/ hikes along the NTP are not the smelly, mosquito-infested scenes you might imagine. They are pristine cypress forests with colorful water features, teeming with wildlife and natural wonder.
In Part 2, we’ll cover the South 100 portion of the NTP, including the most prominent Civil War battlefield of the Old South as well as the antebellum wonders of Natchez and southern Mississippi.KA
Copyright 2024, Matthew McDaniel.
First publication rights granted to The Village Press for King Air magazine. All other rights reserved by copyright holder.
Matthew McDaniel is a Master & Gold Seal CFII, ATP, MEI, AGI and IGI and Platinum CSIP. In 35 years of flying, he has logged over 22,000 hours total, including over 5,900 hours of instruction-given and
over 2,500 hours in various King Airs and the BE-1900D. As owner
of Progressive Aviation Services, LLC (www.progaviation.com), he
has specialized in Technically Advanced Aircraft and Glass Cockpit instruction since 2001. Currently, he is also a Boeing 737-series captain for an international airline, holds eight turbine aircraft type ratings
and has flown over 140 aircraft types. Matt is one of less than 15 instructors in the world to have earned the Master CFI designation for 11 consecutive, two-year terms. He can be reached at: matt@progaviation. com or 414-339-4990.
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