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I wanted to explore part of the Natchez Trace Parkway this week but didn\u2019t have anyone to go with me.\u00a0 The Parkway runs through mixed wood forests and I wanted to see if the trees were changing colors for autumn before the wind and rain that was expected the next day emptied the tree canopy of leaves.<\/strong><\/p>\n I am not one to take off by myself.\u00a0 I have done it before and I have even driven hundreds of miles alone in the past, but not often and not in the last several years. \u00a0I normally do not enjoy solo adventures.<\/strong><\/p>\n My original plan was to leave early in the morning, drive towards Tennessee and stop at an attraction called Tom\u2019s Wall (Wichahpi Commemorative Stone Wall).<\/strong><\/p>\n I hesitated when I found out I would have to go alone. I spent some time online, checking email, my site, FAA\/Pixels discussions and the weather.\u00a0\u00a0 Every minute that passed took me that much closer to lunch time and a decision to stay home.<\/strong><\/p>\n Finally, I made myself get up from the computer, grabbed my camera, purse and some water and out the door I went.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n It was a gorgeous day with the sun shining and only a slight breeze as I started out.\u00a0 I had no problem getting to the Parkway but missed the road to view the wall.\u00a0 That was not a problem as I knew that I could stop there on the way back.<\/strong><\/p>\n I ended up stopping several times to take pictures and to simply enjoy the sound of birds and rushing water as creeks flowed over the rocky creek beds. \u00a0When I got to Collinwood, Tennessee I left the parkway to stop at the Wayne County Visitors Center.\u00a0 Unfortunately the center was closed but it was a great location to snap a photograph or two of their emergency siren.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Getting back in the Jeep I drove a block further and parked.\u00a0 I wanted to walk around until I had a clear sight path to their freshly painted water tower.\u00a0 As I was getting back in the Jeep the earsplitting siren went off to announce the noon hour.<\/strong><\/p>\n Collinwood is a small, sparsely populated town.\u00a0 I only saw one restaurant with two cars in front.\u00a0 I decided that if the locals were not flocking to that eatery it may not be the best place to stop.\u00a0 In hindsight I should have either taken food with me or bought snacks at the local dollar store.<\/strong><\/p>\n Getting back on the parkway I headed south, going back towards Florence, Alabama where I had started.\u00a0 I did find Tom\u2019s Wall, stopped and spent a short time taking photographs there and texting two photos to my sister who is a rock hound.\u00a0 I knew she would love that place.<\/strong><\/p>\n By the time I left the commemorative wall the wind had picked up and was blowing leaves everywhere.\u00a0 Although the color was not as vibrant as I had hoped it was still a pleasant, fall scene along the parkway.<\/strong><\/p>\n It was a nice way to spend a gorgeous day enjoying God\u2019s natural beauty and I found that I didn\u2019t mind being by myself.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n