South/Bayou/Plains trip, September 09

[thebigjc]

Hi all,

I've been browsing the site for a few months since deciding that I will soon make a break from the grind and take a 6-12mo. mosey around the United States. As I wait to save up some more $$ for living expenses and a better-suited vehicle, I'll be taking a practice solo trip this September from my home base in Nashville.

Here is a google map with my planned trip so far:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en...b3414c8882&z=6

I plan to take 14 days for this trip, and the above should cover about 9 or so (with longer stays in NOLA and Austin).

I'm looking for suggestions to fill in the last few days with an interesting course back towards Nashville. My initial thoughts are to continue north with a stop in Dallas, then head back via Oklahoma and Arkansas. There are a few places I'd like to see in AR (Fayetteville, Hot Springs, Eureka Falls, Little Rock) if I'm nearby, but I don't know what's worth stopping for in Oklahoma. Ideas?

I'd also like to take as many "blue" roads as possible. The two I've factored into my journey so far are the Natchez Trace Parkway (the whole way from Nashville to Natchez, MS, with one overnight stop probable), and US90 from New Orleans to Lafayette, LA. Just-off-the-beaten-path is ideal. For lodging I will probably combine couchsurfing in the bigger cities with motels or truck-stop sleeping in-between.

Thanks for reading everyone! I'd love to hear any experiences you've had in this part of the country (especially if you're a Northeastener like me who's only just getting used to southern hospitality!)

-Jamie

[AZBuck]

Welcome aboard the RoadTrip America Forums!

Some scenic 'Blue Highways' to try to factor in on your way home from Austin to Nashville would be the Great River Road along the Mississippi in general, Crowley's Ridge Parkway in eastern Arkansas and US-64 across southern Tennessee. Those along with the places you've already listed as wanting to see should make for a great trip home. But I wouldn't try to include Oklahoma in this trip, rather concentrate on seeing less but enjoying it more.

AZBuck