Meriwether Lewis

Lorraine and Chuck North arrived last night just in time for the Natchez TT's annual Thanksgiving Dinner. It was undoubtedly the largest potluck dinner we've ever attended. There must have been 300 members there. The park provided the turkeys and the members provided everything else. The counters and tables were positively laden with foods, and especially desserts.

We had a great visit with them but unfortunately the repairs to their oil leak in Red Bay, AL was not fixed so back they go in the morning. We were all so stuffed we waddled off to our rigs and collapsed.

Daylight savings time is over so the clocks all went back an hour. Now at least it's light out when I get up at 6 a.m. This morning it was not only light it was cold, 34 degrees outside. And plenty of fog.

Now this was an interesting shot of Lorraine super focused on Chuck. Sure didn't want to run him down as she backed up their rig.

Chuck getting ready to head back to Red Bay for round two with the oil leak. There was oil sprayed all over their tow and dripping out the back of the rig. What a mess.

Everyone saying so long until next time. Safe travels and get that oil leak fixed.

Tasha is sticking close to Gail.

So long for now Chuck and Lorraine.

Misty you are such a clown. All her toys and she's playing with a walnut.

She also scoots around the rig on her belly. What a character.

Scoot she goes. Round and round.

Tasha, tell me that's Misty's walnut, please.

At noon we decided to go north about five miles and check out the Meriwether Lewis Park.

Monument built over the remains of Meriwether Lewis in 1848 by the State of Tennessee.

The broken memorial is symbolic of a deceased national hero who's life was cut short.

Beautiful paths and trails you can walk down. These are the original trails that date back thousands of years.

It is believed that Lewis went mad following huge financial disappointments involving Washington D.C. He was a good friend of Thomas Jefferson who was a huge supporter of him. There was discrepancies in what he felt the government promised to pay him and what he received following a change of leadership. The financial loss he suffered is believed partly to blame but in reality no one completely understands why he killed himself, if he did. There is much speculation, from murder because of the suggestion that he was carrying to D.C. proof of possible territorial occupation by the Welsh. Decendants of Lewis are still investigating his death. Just last night on "America Unearthed" they were able to confirm that the Masonic apron of Lewis had blood other than his own on it. In fact at least two other DNA. The family now wants to exhume the body to investigate more.

He was on his way up the Natchez Trail and stopped for the night at the Grinder House identified by the sign below. All that remains of the house is the hearth.

It was here that he supposedly shot himself first in the head, blowing away part of his right forehead. He then supposedly not dead yet, shot himself again just under the sternum. This too failed to accomplish his death. It is said he survived for over two hours, finally dying just after dawn. He was buried at the site of the memorial. A traveling partner later positively identified his remains and he was buried nearby in the field next to the Grinder House. The friend paid for a railing to be built around the site.

In this small cabin next to the site of the Grinder House is the park information room and a small exhibit room.

Meriwether Lewis 1774-1809

Some beautiful fall foilage again. Since the rain on Halloween the brightness of the leaves has faded. Still beautiful but not as brilliant. Kinda like old people.