Vicksburg, Mississippi
March 4, 2023
This morning I drove I20 for about 100 miles. Hi Ho Silver ran beautifully at 70 mph which was about 10 mph slower than most of the traffic.
I don't recall one thing that I saw. I do remember stopping at a rest stop yo stretch but those 90 minutes of travel meant nothing to me.
I took the exit off I 20 for Start, Louisiana -- of course I did. I bought from Gitl Dcout cookies from a Girl Scout at the Smart Mart and learned that Tim McGrsw was born in Start. (Insert joke her.) US 80 runs through Start and parallels I 20. I chose to stay on US 80 for a while. I saw bayous, trains, abandoned gas stations, farm land, grain silos and the towns of Tallulah, Delhi and Mound (to name a few). Each told the story of better days in the past. Mississippi Delta towns.
All my life I drove interstates when I had the chance. Without thinking. Because I "had to" get someplace quickly. As quickly as possible. Because.... I don't remember.
I'm lucky I have the time to travel the blue highways. I've experienced a lot on them.
PS. I wish I had the time to drive US 61 again in Mississippi. The "blues" highway that took the blues musicians to Memphis where they played the blues.
Back in our college days, the quickest route from UVA to my home in eastern NC was east to Richmond and then south on I-95. The Charlottesville to Richmond leg was the very efficient and very boring I-64. After driving it a few times, I decided to change it up and drive Highway 250 between the Hook and Richmond. 250 is (or was) a hilly two-lane road through horse farm country, and a much more scenic drive, so I started going that route. Took about 10 minutes longer for the nominally 60 minute leg of the trip, but it was worth it.
On the flip side, Google Maps says the Charlottesville to Jacksonville, NC trip can now be done in…