Memphis to Jackson

There's more corn growing here then in Kansas; or at least it seems that way.

But there are no ctton fields as big as the one's I've seen along the roads leading to Jackson.

I started off very early this morning to try to beat the heat and was partially succesful in the enterprise. It was a cool 34-35 degrees till around noon, and then after the temperature rose to near 40 by the time I arrived at the Travelodge in Jackson.

The ride was uneventful, except. You should know that I tend to put all of my faith in Lucy, the lady in my GPS, to help me navigate between different points on the map. She tells me to turn and I turn. And, most often she gets me efficiently from point A to B to C, etc. Then there are days when I can't understaand what she's thinking; that's particularly true when detours are involved. Today for instance she had me ride for 6.3 miles on a loose gravel stretch of road. So what you say? Well, inside an air conditionned car it's a piece of cake; on a loaded touring bike with great highway tires it's just a white knuckle 10 kph sphincter tightening experience as you slide from side to side of the road over and through the accumulated mounds of loose garvel. I, and one pick-up truck going in the opposite direction, seemed to be the only two vehicles who were following Lucy's advice. The driver of the by then immobilized truck seemed quite amused and was smiling profusely as I squirmed my way past his vehicle. I, was not amused, and was very happy to soon thereafter see a stop sign at a t-intersection aheadand a paved road in either direction. I followed Lucy's suggestion and turned left. I barely had a glimpse of the vast corn and cotton fields that lined both sides of the gravel road.

BUT, but, all ends well. I had a great meal at a place called Char in Jackson this evening. I started off with the Sin City BBQ shrimp: four shrimp over grits with mushrooms and spicy creole sauce accompanied by a glass of Sonoma Valley Chateau St Jean Fume Blanc. For the main course I chose Blackfish: pecan crusted catfish over garlic mashed potatoes with jumbo crab and worchester butter sauce, with a side of fresh aparagus, accompanied by a Sonoma Valley Cline Zinfandel. All the dishes were flavourful and brilliantly presented. I didn't even mind the cab fare there and back. Oh boy, food!!!

Tomorrow it's soth to the gulf.