Northern Mississippi

While in Oxford I had a great site-seeing tour. Sorry for falling asleep in the car John, and to everyone else on the trip. When I’m in a car and not driving, I sleep. I’m not sure why. I try my hardest to stay awake, but it just doesn’t work. It doesn’t take long before. my head is bobbing up and down. I would think that it’s pretty hard on my neck. Speaking of sleeping… I think I saw Elvis in a trailer park, he really is in Florida! Ok, just kidding, but I did see…

Elvis’ birth home – Every year hundreds of thousands of people pay the small admission fee to have the five-minute tour of the house where Elvis was born. None of the house is original. It doesn’t take long to see. Bill Bryson does a great job talking about these things in “The Lost Continent.” But it’s Elvis! And that’s all people need to buy a plane ticket from Japan to come and see where The King was born. Then they find out it’s not actually in driving distance from Chicago, Miami, or whatever city they flew into.

Shiloh Battlefield – Shiloh is the first Civil War battlefield I’ve seen on my USA tour. I’m sure in the months to come now that I’m in the east, I will see several more. Being at Civil War battlegrounds is especially interesting while our country is at war over seas. It’s a different time.

Ole’ Miss – What a fine campus! John gave me a tour of the campus and we also visited Joanne’s office, where she is well known for her studies in space law. Strangely all the speed limit signs at 18 miles per hour. If you’re a big football fan you know why. That reason would be Mr. Archie Manning. What an honor, to have all the speed limit signs numbered in your honor. Of course nobody actually drives as slow as 18.

Faulkner – Well, I didn’t actually see Faulker, just his house and grave. Rowan Oak is a beautiful property. I would love one of those magnolia trees. I’m not familiar with Faulkner’s work, but thanks to John I now have a book of his.

Azaleas and Magnolias – I’ve never seen so many magnolia trees. Now I’ve seen a few before and they do not compare. These are huge! Monstrous! I really wish they were in bloom while I was in Oxford. As for azaleas I have never heard of them before. They are also quite beautiful, smaller bush like plants with colorful flowers, white, pink, red, and purple.

Good food – I didn’t see it for very long, because it ate it fast. Get to Oxford and try some of the local restaurants around town, you will not be disappointed. And if you make it over to the Detla grab some Abe’s Barbecue, which is close to…

The Delta Blues Mueseum – I have to say that this is one of the best museums I have seen on the trip. This is the home of the blues. They have some of the greatest names in music history like Sunnyland Slim and Big Joe Williams. And my favorite part would be the photography of David Turnley, a long time favorite photographer of mine.