Day #8: Mathiston to "Stinkin Jim's" Campground- 29.67 miles

HALFWAY THERE!!!!

We slept our second night at our French Camp Carriage House with one ear and one eye open in case the threat of very severe weather proved to be true. We all slept fairly well in spite of it all. Rain it did....but the severe part held off for another day.

We all made the familiar trek over to the main house for breakfast as we watched the rain move away and the skies start to clear. Seems Sissie was right. Our best strategy was to stay another night in French Camp. We were so glad that we had.

Breakfast was similar to yesterday. Scrambled eggs and fresh cantaloupe but with sausage instead of bacon. Not too little- not too much. And....similar to yesterday, Sissie entered the room as we were about to finish eating. Sissie is one of those people. You know.....One of those that you meet that you know are special. A person that inspires you because you can see that she thinks everything I f helping others. No....I don't mean the part about her helping us avoid potentially very severe weather and picking us up from 25 miles away- and then dropping us off again 25 miles away.....no......I mean the part about her helping her son Jacob be the best young man that he can be.... And helping her Dad with the countless daily tasks that are required when he is where he is in his life.....And also in inspiring and motivating countless young people that work for her......no......WITH her....day in and day out at French Camp. She is a truly a great person and we were all honored to have met her. We won't soon forget her. Thank you Sissie!

After our goodbyes at an exit at Mathiston, Sissie drove off and left us to our bikes. The next destination was to be " Stinkin Jim's" Campground near Houston MS. The ride was fairly smooth....except for yet another headwind which accompanied the front that had just moved through. We were all pretty stoked though, because we knew that just a way down the road......there would be mile marker that would signal our halfway point in our journey. 222 is exactly halfway to the end of The Trace.....even though we will actually travel many more miles when all is said and done. It was time for a group hug. A remarkable accomplishment that we are all very proud of. 222 out of The Trace's total 444 miles......are done.







The first calls to James, the owner of "Stinkin Jim's" were placed a few months ago. There really aren't many options for camping or even any type of lodging on or near The Trace.....so your few options must be investigated. James seemed like a friendly guy and was always eager for our business. Even if that "business" was only $10 per couple for a campsite, showers, power, water, a washer and dryer, 2 dogs to play with, and even a free shuttle from the Trace to his great "Stinkin Jim's" Campground in the back of a trailer hooked to his pickup. Seemed like a heck of a deal. It was.
James picked us up behind a Historic Point of Interest (The Bynum Mounds) at about 2:00 and delivered us to our Campsite. Except for some karioki playing until about midnight (that James told us about and even invited us to join in!!).... It was a pretty good nights stay.

POSTED BY: Mitch