The gentleman at the door greeted me with "Welcome to the Court House" and after a brief discussion on politics I began my tour in the Confederate Room.
I have always been interested in the Confederacy. When I lived in New York, after learning about the War Between the States, I always wondered what the other side argued or felt. In college, I did a paper on states rights and how ironically it led to the down of the Confederacy. As I entered the collection was impressive, especially the various Confederate dollar bills.
Although their was quite a hatred and mistreatment of African-Americans during the war (they dugged the trenches, cooked the meals and so forth), there is a very interesting display on their other roles in the war.
As for the rest of the museum, if you like nostalgia, then you would have enjoyed the following.
Try riding that to work everyday!
After which I went upstairs to the actual court house. I felt goosebumps as this was the place many Southerners/Mississippians drummed the beat of the court, including former United States Secretary of War annd Confederate President Jefferson Davis.
The place not only gave me a real sense of history, but a view into life in a segregated sphere. As a Northerner by birth, it was intriguing.
The next stop was back to my old stomping grounds, the highway. I got back onto Interstate 20 and began heading east. Originally, I thought about heading to Jackson to do some research, then the Natchez Trace exit came along and BAM there I went. After exiting I faced a dilemma, do I go southwest or northeast?
At that point it was time to see the birthplace of the King, Elvis Presley. So, I migrated a trail that so many groups before me took. It was during this ride where my fear of too many trees began to subside as I began to appreciate its grandeur.
This occurred after a major tornado that took place last April.
The rest of the drive was smooth until I hit some unusual traffic, due to the roads being tarred and everyone having to detour into one lane. For the next 24 minutes, all I did was sit and eat eight granola bars while listening to Elvis crank various tunes including, "I Did it My Way"
When the traffic cleared, I got off the Tupelo exit and drove along Mississippi Highway 6 before turning onto US 78 for a couple of blocks. I made a right and there it was, the birthplace of Elvis Presley!
His father, Vernon, built the shotgun house and it displayed the humility Elvis displayed in his life.
Unfortnately, I had to be back at work in two days, so, it was time to head back. Once again, I had a decision to make, which way do I go? After speaking with a native gentleman who suggested I head to New Orleans then take I-10 back to Houston, I followed his instructions all the way down US 45 South to Meridian. After reaching town, I quickly decided to head east onto 20 instead of taking I-59 to Slidell, as I am not a fan of I-10.
For the next two hours my mind began to wander and I knew it was time to grab a bite and get a hotel room. I decided Clinton, MS, just west of Jackson was right for me.During the night, I had issues with my curtains, I tried closing them, but after a while I said whatever, not a great choice. The fact that my room was located next to a bright Chevron that looked like an airport beacon, I knew it would be a long night. At first I was able to sleep through, but, beginning at 2 AM it began to bother me. All I did for the next couple of hours was look at the gas station and the alarm clock. I did this until 4:15 AM when I decided the heck with it and start heading back to Houston.
The drive down 20 was smooth until I hit east of Monroe when the heavens opened up. Each time I drive in pouring rain it is real scary. Combine that with the fact that my eyes were still trying to open, it was interesting. Regardless, I was on a mission and Houston was the destination.
After an hour and a half I reached Shreveport when the beautiful sun began to shine. Several minutes later, I left US 80 and entered US 79 when I found the Lone Star State.
I took a detour in Carthage
Three and a half hours later and I reached the Bayou City where I took a nice long nap.
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