I'm in Nashville and seriously thinking about hooking up with you guys in Memphis, depending on the weather.

The Natchez Trace is a cool road but the speed limit is like 50 mph and federal speeding tickets are EXPENSIVE.

 

First, I think the northern protion of the Natchez Trace is much better than the south end for riding. Unless you plan to visit some of the historic sites on the southern protion (which is some cases a few miles off the Trace), I would suggest taking it from Nashville to Jackson and jump on I-55 in Jackson. Of course I travel the other way, but the last couple times I've been on the Trace, we took I-55 to Jackson, then the Trace to Nashville.

Now if you would like to start the Trace in Jackson, there are quite a few things you can visit, but like I stated before most take some traveling off of the Trace to visit. A couple suggestions would be Vicksburg Battlefield (but it would take a few hours to do the complete tour/ride through) and Winsor Ruins. Also, with your timing, hwy 61 is pretty much less traveled, but does have traffic lights and you may encounter traffic build-up around Baton Rouge.

As stated before the Trace has a max. speed of 50mph and is patroled by the National Park Service who does run radar. So if you decide to take the Trace be aware of the speed limit as this will be a federal ticket.

Please do not take this as trying to sway you either way, I'm just giving you my thoughts and either way, I think you would enjoy the ride. If you had the time I would have suggested the Trace from Nashville to Natchez and 61 to N.O., but just the trace is usually pretty much a 2 day ride for most as it would not be wise to travel the Trace at night (animals and no lights).

You may want to check out this site for information on the Natchez Trace to help you make your decision http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

I'll try not to bore you with what I've posted before but if you check back on my suggestions to someone else on this board, it may help also. And I still recommend Mindenoff's for seafood (if timing is right) in Manshac (just south of Hammond and next to I-55.

If you need any more information please let me know and I'll try to help as much as I can.

 

Crescent city brewery on Decatur in down New Orleans has great food and Seasonal brewed beer that is awesome...Best true rock bar on Bourbon would be The Dungeon,But to be honest its called the big easy because no matter what you do ,its fun so there no need for daily planing,, Here's some tips,,,on the far end of Bourbon St is the rainbow area .just a heads up,,don't worry you'll see it..just didn't want you to get caught off guard..Dont play with the cops ,,,They dont play back ... Acting a *** well get you beat down...Thats it...I lived there for 2 years after Katrina to help with rebuild..and lived there when i was a kid....Im about 1 hour away from there now...

Theres not to much in Venice,I just finished a job there..This is it

 

I haven't been down to Venice since a few weeks before Katrina. Back then about the only restaurant was in the marina. Venice is pretty small--its a marina town mainly for commercial fishing and the oil/gas business in the Gulf (and most of those guys live elsewhere and drive into Venice for work). For eats in the FQ it really depends on how much you want to spend--there's everything from the Lucky Dog cart to super high buck white table clothe places and everything in between. I'm not a white table clothe kind of guy so if I were you I'd try Gumbo Shop, Masperos, Stanley and Red Fish Grill (the most upscale on this list).

The best live music is most definitely NOT in the French Quarter. Of course, not knowing what kind of tunes you prefer its hard to recommend anything.

Also, I grew up in Wisconsin. Its no BS that 45 degrees down here feels a lot colder than 45 degrees up there. When I told my Dad that he scoffed at me, until he was down here on a day in the 40s and had to agree I was right.

I live about 2 miles from the FQ so I can't help with hotel recommendations since I've not stayed in them.

Sounds like a fun trip for y'all. Have fun in my city.

 

Damn I will have fun in your town, its all I can think about.. Back on the bike, last time I rode was Nov. 20th then the bitter cold and snow hit here.. Just got 2 new Aavons on the bike last week and am ready to go. .

Sounds like Venice is just a few boats and the end of the road, DirtNap is the marina restaurant still there? I just wanted to get as far south as possibe and the most miles on the bike so Venice was it..

Andouille - Thanks again, yea I dont know what to do now as far as that stretch if I should take the Trace or not, I am getting the guys together this week to kick it around..

Note: Just added Pensacola Beach FL to the last stop of the trip, Venice might be out??

Anyone that wants to come with just PM me, I will get you my number and we can figure out where and when to meet up.

Wind in face 16 more days.

 

P-Cola from New Orleans is a good ride if you like riding next to the beach. We do this run at least once a year. We often go through Waveland, Gulfport and Biloxi. Find the Shed in Ocean Springs to eat great BBQ, get back on I10 to Dauphin Island Pky. Take the Ferry ($8 round trip) this is about 8 miles long. From there find beach road to Gulf Shores/ Orange Beach another great place to eat is Lambert's on Hwy 59 they throw hot bread at you so be careful. Then back down to Perrido Key and into P-Cola. In P-cola go South to Narrave Beach. This is a Federal Park or area not quit sure which, but if you have time Garanomio was in prison at Fort Pickens there. If you don't have time you can run on the Hwy there about 30 miles of pristine dunes and beach. After than I10 back to where you started. I have a trip log from my Zumo that I could send if I can figure out how to.

 

Agree with FLHTim, although Florida may be a push, I would suggest the Miss. Gulf Coast. You can take Hwy. 90 out of N.O. and ride the Coast in Mississippi or take I-10 and get off at the first exit after crossing into Miss. Hwy 90 along the Coast was re-surfaced after Katrina and is a good ride along the Coast. Many places to eat along the Coast along with Casinos and their buffets.

I personally think this a better ride than down to Venice.

More decisions.

 

Yeah,,The Marina is still there,Its just on the other side of the slip in the picture of the shrimp boats i posted ..Its just not worth the dull ride ...I think Cocodrie La is a better choice if you want to get down south and eat some good seafood,,,Coco Marina inc...is the place to eat..some great fresh seafood...Plus is a nice ride with lots to see.(if you like the mosh land and high rise camps)..and hit 57 Bayou Sale RD...Its a winding road straight though the mosh ,,I would take it slow though because there are some pretty sharp turns and sometimes a couple people rode side fishing ..Google map it (Cocodrie)and look at a rode view to see if ya be into it...