Both of us have been sharing our stories with you as we traipse southward via Motor home on our beloved Natchez Trace Parkway offering such an enticing history and sites to explore.
Entering from Nashville heading south, passing mile 65 on the Trace, it happened. We were deep into our Audible book (book #14) by Laurie King and her irresistible stories of Sherlock Holmes and Mary Russell. This one entitled The Murder of Mary Russell.
Paul was the wheel when he got a message on the dashboard: stop engine, check transmission; So unexpected since we had just been in Red Bay, the home of Tiffin RV, to have simple shade and awning problems fixed. Pull over we did, but not quite able to get fully off the road. We called Coachnet, our excellent road emergency-response group. After many hours, they summoned up a tow truck on the way from 75 miles south. Meanwhile at least a dozen passers-by stopped to ask if we needed help. Some even stopped again on their way home up the Trace. So kind. A ranger and then a police officer came to help, waiting until the tow truck arrived. The tow could not handle our big rig and reversed his journey after accompanying us along with Hugh, the officer to a safe and lovely rest stop called Hurricane Creek
(at the slow pace of about 5 MPH.)
We slept in comfort on our motor home and awoke the next morning to await the proper tow truck. Parker Trucks Co. with owner Ricky and John aboard arrived, hooked us up and drove us to Magnolia Diesel service in Columbus, Mississippi.
What a team they were as we arrived after the drive with just some jumble aboard. A free day ahead–a Sunday (breakdowns always occur on a weekend). In our Jeep, we took off to tour Columbus not expecting much. HA. Tennessee Williams was born here and his home serves as the welcome center. There are many other wonderful sights; Blues was born in this town the stars recording and playing in Catfish alley (named after the odor of catfish cooking nearby.) Several late 18th and early 19th century homes are open for touring,
Many churches are found here and a lovely synagogue with an unexpected history found on this First Methodist Church plaque. 
Congregation B’nai Israel in Columbus MS
as well as beautiful old neighborhoods with decades-old homes and buildings still beautifully maintained. The downtown is colorful and wonderful; population about 760,000 people in 2019. Wow. A discovery and delightful place to find. We even conversed with a woman who had attended The University of Rochester, our home town. Small world it is.
Relic, where is the barber shop?
Statue depicting the Confederate State
We eventually returned to our rig, did some cleaning and straightening, had a great dinner and read into the night hoping the Diesel Service staff can get us on the road again as we are anxious to continue westward. What fun we have with good the bad and the people who make it all wonderful.
It is Monday, an addendum the technician had diagnosed the problem, a lack of communication between the Throttle Control Module and the engine. We don’t yet know the cause and await further information. Yesterday was warm and sunny, today it is mid 60’s and wet. But cozy and happy are we in our move-able home.