We spent the night at Old Stone Fort State Park in Tennessee, which we had never heard of before this trip. It was established in 1966 around the location of a Native American structure that dates back at least 1500, and possibly 2000, years. Stone walls, now covered with dirt and grass and appearing as mounds, encircle a huge area on top of a high peninsula overlooking the Duck River and the Little Duck River. The changes in elevation create beautiful waterfalls on both rivers.
In the way of things, the first European settlers who came across these mounds assumed that the Indians could not possibly have built them. Throughout the nineteen century, they gave credit to, at various times, Spanish explorers who wandered up from Florida, Vikings who wandered down from Massachusetts, or even Welsh adventurers. Not until the 1960s did excavations reveal prehistoric artifacts to identify the true builders. The 800 foot-long walls enclose a large area now believed to have been built by Woodland tribes for ceremonial purposes, rather than military. The area is too large to have been defended and no military artifacts have been found. In addition the two smaller mounds that form the entrance on the east line up within one degree of the summer solstice.
In the way of things, the first European settlers who came across these mounds assumed that the Indians could not possibly have built them. Throughout the nineteen century, they gave credit to, at various times, Spanish explorers who wandered up from Florida, Vikings who wandered down from Massachusetts, or even Welsh adventurers. Not until the 1960s did excavations reveal prehistoric artifacts to identify the true builders. The 800 foot-long walls enclose a large area now believed to have been built by Woodland tribes for ceremonial purposes, rather than military. The area is too large to have been defended and no military artifacts have been found. In addition the two smaller mounds that form the entrance on the east line up within one degree of the summer solstice.
There is also a small museum and visitor center at the entrance to the fort-which-wasn't-a-fort. My favorite tee shirt on sale in the gift shop said "May the forest be with you."
Our trip here from Nashville was not quite as smooth as the previous two days. The many bridges on the bypass seemed to be a foot or so above the road level, resulting in huge jolts at each end of every bridge. Maybe not quite a foot, but a very uncomfortable ride. Then, when we reached I-24 to head southeast, we hit a huge backup---we never found out why. We stopped at a gas station to pick up a road map and find a better route but road maps are something gas stations don't seem to carry much any more. We detoured through Murfeesboro to pick up Highway 41 and met the longest string of traffic we've ever seen. When we arrived at the campground, our site had a couple of trees located in such a way to require several attempts to get parked.
We have had no TV reception the last two stops, so are rewatching Season 3 of Downton Abbey. Today we will head for north Georgia and Vogel State Park, where we will stay for four nights and relax a little more.
We have had no TV reception the last two stops, so are rewatching Season 3 of Downton Abbey. Today we will head for north Georgia and Vogel State Park, where we will stay for four nights and relax a little more.
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