This roadside pull over on the Natchez National Park at approximately mile post 222 shows some of the original post road as it was.  Obviously it has been cleared so you and I can walk along it.

Originally it was used by the Indians to travel from the lower Louisiana delta area up to the Nashville, TN area and farther north.

 These pictures, as good as they are, do not show how dense the forest and underbrush can be. 

 Maintaining this 500 mile wilderness road in the early 1800’s was a difficult if not hopeless task.  Consider for an instance that those old travellers had to endure insects, snakes, and other animals along with the heat and humidity that at times in unrelenting.  Those of us who endured Viet-Nam would understand what they went through.

As you look down the trace notice how it is sunken, and also the large trees growing on the edge of the ten foot wide trench or roadway that is cleared today.

The sunken part was caused by the thousands of travelers, the rain that made passage next to impossible in some sections.

This is the Cypress Swamp just north of Jackson, MS.  Hernando DeSoto went through this area when he was looking for the gold and silver of the new world.  All he found was insects, snakes and El Lagarto (lizard) or what we call alligators.  I am glad they are mostly hideing or sleeping after only a fish or two per week.  A sign says to not toss them any food.

The alligators look like floating logs with nostrils.  I did not see any and I am not so curious as to look any closer.

 Vey handy device for your camera and well being when walking through the brush in swampy areas.

These are bald cypress, they live in standing water.  The green on top of the water is a tiny leafed plant growing profusely.  It also provides the alligator better hiding.  As the seasons unfold I will take more pictures to show the  different season.

More of the swamp away from some of the standing water.

Excellent camera, very easy to use, with a 20x optical lens.  The auto feature is very advantagious when in forested/swampy areas where the ambient lighting fluctuates widely.

You can see more of these pictures on my facebook page just follow the link.http://www.facebook.com/#!/home.php?sk=myuploads

I found this monopod for my camera and it is the neatest thing since tripods.  Easier to use and can be used as a walking stick.  Very handy when walking through the brush in Mississippi.