Iuka, Mississippi

This morning we left traveling north into Mississippi headed for the town of Iuka, MS about 35 miles from Red Bay.

Our first stop was at the Tishomingo State Park which was quite impressive.  The road through the Park is fairly narrow and windy.  We first stopped at a picnic area with a long dock into the lake.  Our next stop was at this old log cabin next to a creek and among the trees.  Leaving the cabin, we walk up a path a ways to the bridge over the creek.  Very serene.

 Leaving the log cabin, we drove around the lake and through the campground and family cabin area which includes an old lodge.  It is a lovely area and there was one 42 foot Class A there, however, we both agreed it would be tight getting into and out of the various campsites even if they were long enough.   We also stopped at the Swinging Bridge built in the 1930's.  It is a native stone and steel cable bridge and crosses high above Bear Creek a number of trails.

Continuing up the road, we arrived in Iuka (pronounced eye-you-ka) which is named after a Chickasaw chief who was allegedly cured of his ailments after drinking of the free flowing spring waters and as a result of his cure, built his home here.  In 1904, the mineral springs water was awarded a Silver Medal at the St. Louis Fair in St. Louis as the purest and best mineral water at the World's Fair.  Word spread after that and Iuka became a health resort during the late 19th century.  The mineral springs are nestled among giant old trees in the Mineral Springs Park and are within a space of less than 100 feet.   In the Park is the cute covered bridge below.

Luka is also noted for the "bloody" Battle of Iuka on September 19, 1862 in the late afternoon and leaving 1,500 soldier either killed or wounded.  At the Oak Grove Cemetery we found a great many old headstones dating back to the Civil War period.  The one shown below is of a Confederate soldier who later became
Governor of Mississippi for 12 years.  Many of the Confederate soldiers buried here had a red and white ribbon around the headstone.  Interesting.

There are a great many old homes here dating back to the Civil War period.  Most of the homes are one story and not the large antebellum type we have been seeing.  Also saw the Church of Our Savior built in 1873 of board and batten.

We stopped at a local restaurant for our lunch then headed east and north getting on the Natchez Trace Parkway to take in more of this lovely road and the many interesting turnouts along the way including Colberts Stand which is along the Tennessee River and Cave Spring which was used by the Indians.

It is getting late, so we turn around and head back toward Red Bay taking in more of the Natchez Trace Parkway on the way back.  After returning to Red Bay we stopped at an ice cream placed called SnoBiz for a treat.  Ron had a sundae which consisted of vanilla ice cream topped with shaved ice then topped with red raspberry syrup, whipped cream and a cherry on top.  Different.  He said it was delicious.