Day Trip: Meriwether Lewis Historic Site

Meriwether Lewis Historic Site is located just off the Natchez Trace Parkway at Milepost 385.9. There is no fee to enjoy the park.

Meriwether Lewis Historic Site was added to the Natchez Trace Parkway in August, 1961. From 1925 to 1961, it was known as the Meriwether Lewis National Monument.

Lewis was buried on private property within sight of the place he died. When the government decided to erect a monument to Lewis, the owner of the property sold it to them with the stipulation that it would be a cemetery for others as well. Several bodies were buried there in the late 1840s and 1850s. When the burial ground became a National Monument in 1925, workers improving the area found

the limestone markers identifying the graves were eroded and damaged, making them unreadable. They were replaced with the small, square markers shown here.

Parts of the original Natchez Trace are shown to the right of the fence.

A newer monument erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2006.

There is an annual festival here on the second weekend in October. We have been many times, and it is the perfect way to spend an October afternoon.

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Amish in Stantonville, Tennessee

Last week, my sis and her hub went with us to the Amish community near Stantonville, Tennessee. It was a beautiful day, and we love driving to new places and finding new treasures. We enjoy these mini-trips we take together, where we giggle a lot and get caught up on everything. Also, the squirrels ate all our tomatoes, so we needed to find some to buy. You know the food you are buying is fresh when they bring it from the field while you are standing there waiting for it. Here is part of what we brought home, and it was all delicious. Stantonville is located in McNairy County, Tennessee, northwest of Shiloh National Military Park.

Holy Smoke Pie

I think it was in the late seventies that I first had Holy Smoke Pie. It was at a party at Debra Morris Harville's house. After we ate, Debra had to give the recipe to everyone there. I came home and made it for my family, and it has been a favorite since then. I always make it at holiday dinners, because I believe tradition is important. It has become a favorite of our granddaughters. I've heard it called Chocolate Delight, Four-Layer Chocolate Dessert, and other odd things. We call it Holy Smoke. Here is how I make it: Chop us a cup of pecans; set aside. Add a stick of softened butter (NOT margarine) to one cup of self-rising flour. Cut the butter into the flour. Add the chopped pecans, and work it all together. Save two tablespoons of the pecans to sprinkle on top. Pour into a 9" x 12" pan that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Spread it over the bottom of the pan. It helps to use your hands (or hand, if you have t

Cedar Trees in Cemeteries

If you ever wander in old cemeteries, and I know many of you do, you are bound to see some cedar trees. The tradition goes back to the early days of the United States and even earlier in Europe. Cedar trees were not always used, but some type of evergreen trees were planted because they were a symbol of everlasting life. Some Cherokees believed that cedars contained powerful spirits, including the spirits of the departed buried beneath them. Perhaps because they are known as burial trees, there are many superstitions that surround cedars. My grandmother told us in no uncertain terms that if we planted a cedar tree, we would die when it was large enough to shade our graves. Some others are: Never transplant a cedar tree; it will bring bad luck. If you transplant a cedar and it dies, you will die shortly. Planting a cedar tree in your yard welcomes poverty. Some say Christ was crucified on a cedar tree, and will bring bad luck if you burn it. If a cedar tree com

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