April Roadtrip, Day 13, Clarksdale to Winchester, TN

Day 13

Monday, April 13, 2026

     This was always going to be the drive day.  If it looked like rain, the direct route home is 7-8 hours.  If the weather held, an equally long drive to Winchester, Tennessee.  Why Winchester?  Tune in tomorrow.

       When I drove this two years ago, I spend half a day hiking in Tishomingo State Park.  An internet search brought me to the Oxford campus of the University of Mississippi, aka Ole Miss. 

    There's a five mile rail trail that seemed perfect.  This used to be the trackbed from the Central Mississippi Railroad.  The official trail is two and a half miles before turning around.  But, it does keep going.  There are also numerous side trails if you choose.  

    Not a bad morning at all..

      Circle and Square Brewing is a brewpub just off campus.  

    Of course I stopped in.  Funny how the conversations around me are the same I was hearing forty years ago, just some different slang.

    About an hour and half northeast is where you'll find Ingomar Mounds.

     There used to be thirteen mounds in the area.  Twelve were destroyed, leaving one.  Archeologists date it back to around 200AD.

     Just follow the path of cut grass.  So many reviewers mentioned the sketchy stairs.  Good to see they had been replaced.

    The view from up top...

     The field walking out was covered in Crimson Clover.  Bonus.

      There were a few other stops for the day.  But, I often underestimate distances.  So, they'll be for next time.

     

     There are no big roads from Huntsville to Winchester.  It makes for a long drive.  But, there is a silver lining.  I got to stop in the travel lane and shoot this...

   The Winchester Best Western was definitely the right choice.  The staff was great and spaced the guests out so we didn't share walls.  Nice breakfast, too.  

    From the motel parking lot...