Thursday, November 6, 2008

Scenes from the Natchez Trace ...


I had to go to Jackson yesterday for a hair appointment, which is about an hour away from where I live in Vicksburg. I always try to bypass the traffic in Jackson by taking a shortcut on the Natchez Trace.

Once you get off the interstate, it's like you enter another world. It's a beautiful scenic drive and since the speed limit is 50 mph, you can set your cruise control and relax and enjoy the sights.

Yesterday morning's drive was especially beautiful, with the sun spotlighting the brilliant reds and golds of the fall foliage. I didn't have time to get pictures then, but on my way back home I stopped several places and took these ...



I always enjoy passing this pasture and seeing
the cows lazily grazing in the sun ...

Yesterday, they were by the fence and I couldn't resist
trying to get some close-up shots of them.

[You can click on the pictures to enlarge them]



They were very accommodating, but kept a
cautious eye out when I got a little too close --
probably because of this adorable little guy ...



This one looks like she's warning me not to take another step closer ...

After I left the cows to their grazing, I passed this little pond. I was trying to get a shot of a pretty red-leaved tree on the other side, but couldn't get close enough to get the right angle. I thought it was pretty anyway, though ...


Here are some more pictures of the roadside foliage ...






Mississippi doesn't have the magnificent fall foliage shows like you see in New England or the Blue Ridge Mountains, but I loved my drive on the Natchez Trace, and wouldn't take anything for capturing my cow friends up close with my camera. I hope you enjoyed seeing them, too.


Sincerely,


16 comments:

bj said...

Oh, my....what amazing photos you made for us, Janie...the colors of the leaves are just breathtaking!
Loved the cows, too...
love, bj

Unknown said...

Hi Janie,
I love the NT! You're so blessed to live close to it.

Your photos are wonderful-we have had a great fall this year-I can remember years when we passed fall by when our trees went from green to bare in a few days!

Love the cows! LOL

Diane

Scooterblu's Whimsy~Rhonda said...

Hi Janie, These pictures are magnificent! The leaves are just beautiful! The cow photos are fabulous, with such clarity! I enjoyed your post! :) ~Rhonda

Salmagundi said...

That brilliant red in the first picture (not the composite pix) gave me goosebumps!! It is so beautiful. Sally

Anonymous said...

Morning Janie! I love love the black and white cow and expression on his face!! Looks like a really pretty drive; enjoyed all the pictures. Makes me want to go for a drive myself if it wasn't soo gloomy today! Have a great afternoon - Sincerely, Jeannette

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Janie,

This is lovely! Thank you for sharing.

We have a very subtle change of season here, but there are certain things I've come to know as harbingers of fall... Rain Trees in bloom, Virginia Creeper turning bright fallish colors, and the slight drop in the temperature that signals some people to wear socks with their flipflops to the grocery store. ;-)

Love the cows,the Trace, and the tour.

XO,

Sheila

Bo said...

what a picturesque drive this was...thanks for taking us along. The cows do seem to be wary of you.
;-) Bo

Karen said...

I love the Natchez Trace. Wish we had the fall foliage that you do. Here in Savannah we have very little color change. Karen

nikkicrumpet said...

Beautiful! And I swear those are the cleanest cows I've ever seen. They must have known you were coming and got spiffed up for their photo session!

Unknown said...

Janie,

Thanks for your comment on my recent post. I love your blog and this post is awesome. Those pictures make me want to go back to Natchez.

Deb

Anonymous said...

Hi Janie,

Oh what pretty pics, I feel like I could reach out and pet those cows !!!

So did you get a new do or was it just time to be fluffed and buffed ??

Have a lovely week-end,
Kathy :)

Anonymous said...

Hi again Janie! Just a quick note: Have a great weekend. Til Monday - Sincerely,Jeannette

StitchinByTheLake said...

You always have such great pictures Janie. I especially loved your cow friends. :) It's beautiful here on the lake right now too - I just stand and gaze out sometimes and wonder how anyone could not believe in God when they look at our beautiful world. blessings, marlene

Steve Buser said...

Beautiful journey. We don't get much color down here either, but this year we are getting a pretty good spray of it because many leaves and limbs were damaged by the hurricanes.

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Janie, those are just beautiful fall pics!

southerninspiration said...

What great photos!!! I can remember riding the Trace when I was little. I grew up in Natchez/Vidalia......you captured some GREAT shots!
Suzanne