Week 63: Mississippi

Hedge Farm

M-iss-iss-ipp-i. I knew how to spell Mississippi when I was very young, maybe seven or so, because the spelling was like a little chant. I'm not sure I knew there was a place called Oregon, but I could spell Mississippi.

This week I left Arkansas and crossed the Mississippi River into Memphis, Tennessee, walked through Tennessee and into Mississippi, and passed 5,000,000 steps.

I am currently twenty miles into Mississippi, at a town called Red Banks. Red Banks does not look like much. According to Wikipedia, it is a census-designated place with a population of 215. Unlike some recent towns we visited in Arkansas, it is neither all white nor all black, but rather about 70% white, 20% black, and 10% other, which is nice. It contains two travel centers across the street from one another, two dollar stores side by side, several churches, a few auto parts/repair businesses, and a barbeque place called Clancy's Cafe. They also have this nice-looking place called Hedge Farm, which is a venue, and reviews on Google agree that it's a very pretty spot. They host weddings.

What I recall best about driving through Mississippi is that they have rest stops where all you can do is rest. No bathrooms, nothing but grass. No one stops at rest stops to rest; it's a euphemism. I have to pee. Otherwise I will just keep driving.

When I go to Mississippi for real, I think Biloxi is the place to go. It is on the coast, has some very grand-looking hotels on the beach, and claims to have several casinos to choose from, which may explain the big hotels on the beach.

I will be in Mississippi for NewYear's Day, but by then I will be halfway across. Total distance in the state will be 165 miles.