Jeff Busby

Since we had enjoyed staying at the Meriwether Lewis campground, we decided to stay at the one we had driven through earlier on our trip when we first came across Mississippi -- Jeff Busby. We had taken our time driving down the Trace, and it was nearing dark when we arrived. As we were approaching the turnoff, another motor home was right behind us, and it turned in too.

We decided to drive around the campground to take a look at the spots available, and eventually decided on a spot near the campground host and restrooms. Evidently, the other motor home had the same plan, because when we pulled into our spot, they pulled into the spot across the way from us.

I was in the drivers seat doing leveling of our rig when the campground host came over. I asked him if we were ok here, and he said we were fine but asked if our "friends" (motioning to the other motor home) were eligible to park in a handicapped spot. I said, "Oh, I don't know them." He said, "you both came in together, drove all the way around, and came back and parked together, I thought you were together!" He went over to check that they were eligible to park in the handicapped spot (they were).

When they put out their sign (Ben, Darleen, and Boots the Cat), I remembered that they had been at the Meriwether Lewis campground too. We met them all (including Boots who was out on a leash) and chatted with them for a little while.

A few minutes later, two bicycle riders rode in and decided to camp just down from us. The campground host came over to me again and asked if they were with us - I said, "No, I don't know them." He said he would talk with them. I overheard him telling them that they had set up camp within the area that was our site and they would have to move. I went over and let him know that it was ok - we didn't mind sharing the space and they were welcome to be there. (They had already opened their tents and one of the two had left to hike up the trail behind the camping area.) I couldn't imagine being selfish with a space that we were using for free -- and they needed closer access to the restrooms than we did!

We then met Mike and later Pierre. They are on their way biking down the Trace. It seems that there are some additional campgrounds along the Trace just for bicycle riders - they had stayed at Colbert Ferry a couple of nights previously. Pierre was a wilderness guide from the province of Quebec; Mike was from Charlotte, NC.

Mike and Pierre just below our site

Pierre talking with Ben while Darleen and I pose together