The Scenic Route To Starkville, A.K.A. The Western By-Pass
Posted July 20th, 2009 at 12:23 AM by TiderinMiss
Updated July 20th, 2009 at 12:31 AM by TiderinMiss
Updated July 20th, 2009 at 12:31 AM by TiderinMiss
Driving home from Starkville to Clinton a couple of weeks ago, I ran into some traffic as I made my way down Hwy. 25 (Lakeland Drive). The traffic wasn't bad until I got to the Castlewoods area of Flowood (a suburb of east of Jackson). Even the stop and go traffic wouldn't be bad....unless you have no air in your vehicle.
I needed a better route home with minimal stops. Surely there's a way around Jackson to Clinton that wouldn't be out of the way.
And, then it dawned on me.
The Natchez Trace.
The Natchez Trace heading north about five miles from Goshen Springs, MS. The Ross Barnett Resevoir is seen to the right. The Trace follows alongside the resevoir about 15 miles from Ridgeland to Goshen Springs.
About four years ago the Trace was finally completed. The 13 mile stretch from Clinton to Ridgeland was finished, and we use it to go to Ridgeland and Madison. I refer to it was The Western By-Pass around Jackson. It's scenic and efficient. The only drawbacks are it's two laned and a 50 MPH speed limit.
A view from the The Natchez Trace of Sunday afternoon boaters on the Ross Barnett Resevoir.
However, there are no traffic lights or four-way stops on the Trace. Last Friday, I decided to turn off Hwy. 25 before I got to Flowood onto Hwy. 43. I proceeded six miles to the Trace through Goshen Springs. Then, it was only 29 miles to Clinton down the Trace. Did I tell you I live only a mile from the Trace in Clinton? The ONLY time I had to stop between Starkville and Clinton was the four-way stop in Louisville by the Wal-Mart. That means less wear-and-tear on the transmission and brakes.
It took me the same amount of time to get home as the other way, and it's actually a couple of miles SHORTER! To top it off, it's a beautiful ride. Less wear and tear on my transmission, brakes, and a constant breeze for someone without air.
Here are a few pics of the Trace where it runs by the resevoir....
Goshen Springs marina.
The Pearl River feeds The Ross Barnett Resevoir. Here's a view going down Hwy. 43 crossing the north end of the lake (Pelahatchie Bay) going from Madison to Rankin County.
I needed a better route home with minimal stops. Surely there's a way around Jackson to Clinton that wouldn't be out of the way.
And, then it dawned on me.
The Natchez Trace.
The Natchez Trace heading north about five miles from Goshen Springs, MS. The Ross Barnett Resevoir is seen to the right. The Trace follows alongside the resevoir about 15 miles from Ridgeland to Goshen Springs.About four years ago the Trace was finally completed. The 13 mile stretch from Clinton to Ridgeland was finished, and we use it to go to Ridgeland and Madison. I refer to it was The Western By-Pass around Jackson. It's scenic and efficient. The only drawbacks are it's two laned and a 50 MPH speed limit.
A view from the The Natchez Trace of Sunday afternoon boaters on the Ross Barnett Resevoir.However, there are no traffic lights or four-way stops on the Trace. Last Friday, I decided to turn off Hwy. 25 before I got to Flowood onto Hwy. 43. I proceeded six miles to the Trace through Goshen Springs. Then, it was only 29 miles to Clinton down the Trace. Did I tell you I live only a mile from the Trace in Clinton? The ONLY time I had to stop between Starkville and Clinton was the four-way stop in Louisville by the Wal-Mart. That means less wear-and-tear on the transmission and brakes.
It took me the same amount of time to get home as the other way, and it's actually a couple of miles SHORTER! To top it off, it's a beautiful ride. Less wear and tear on my transmission, brakes, and a constant breeze for someone without air.
Here are a few pics of the Trace where it runs by the resevoir....
Goshen Springs marina. The Pearl River feeds The Ross Barnett Resevoir. Here's a view going down Hwy. 43 crossing the north end of the lake (Pelahatchie Bay) going from Madison to Rankin County.
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