Dogwoods in bloom
along the Longleaf Trace,
where mild winters and
early springs offer a warm
embrace for rail-trail
visitors from colder climes.
27
rails
to
trails
◆
winter.13
destination
T
he moment I remember
above all others during
my ride up and down
sitting in Ward’s Restaurant
at Bassfield, having a chili
burger and a frosty glass of
root beer. It was my first time
in Mississippi, and I knew not
a soul, so I was surprised when
a local fellow approached me
and said, “I’m guessing you’re
that gentleman from Rails-to-
Trails, right? My name is John
Kerley, and I heard you might
be looking for somewhere to
camp for the night. I’ve got
plenty of room out at my
place—you’d be very welcome
there.”
Turns out the trail
manager, Herlon Pierce, had
phoned some of his buddies to
keep an eye out for me. And
the towns along the trail are
small enough that I probably
wasn’t hard to find. In diners
and at rest stops during the
next two days, I had similar
conversations—warm,
welcoming, curious talk that
reminded me of the country
towns around where I grew up
STORY AND PHOTOS BY JAKE LYNCH/RTC
