Going Back to the Cold: More Good Eatin'-- Curvin' It-- Home

JANUARY 21ST-- SATURDAY

Woke up to the cold here in northern Mississippi and the long pants and sweatshirt I was hoping to put on in St. Louis came on early. Drove I-55 to Memphis, crossed into Arkansas and then did the foot of Missouri north to Sikeston.

Bypassed Lambert's and went to Dexter BBQ, which I had heard about and written about in my RoadLog. Every bit as good as I'd heard. And definitely you need to try their wine and cheese dressing. Some of the best ever.

Through St. Louis by the Arch and into Illinois. Had to stop for our taco fix at the Jack in the Box in Litchfield, a must stop even though we weren't real hungry. Checked into the TraveLodge in Springfield and then went on to the Curve Inn for drinks and partying. Real "Wasted Days and Wasted Nights."


JANUARY 22ND-- SUNDAY

Stopped at the Bonanza Sirloin Pit in Lincoln where their rolls are too good to be thrown, hear that Lambert's!!? And their pass around rolls and chocolate chip cookies are something else.

Foggy and icy driving most all of today. Not much fun.

But got home at 5 pm after 19 days on the road.

Good to Be Home. --RoadDog

Going Back to the Cold: Good Eatin' and Vicksburg

JANUARY 20TH-- FRIDAY

Last drive along the coast to Gulfport and then US-49 to Jackson. Lunch at the Country Fisherman Buffet in Mendenhall, Ms. Lots of Southern dishes, but wish they put labels on selections. Some are not identifiable. Some really good eating and Blue Bell ice cream for dessert.

Took US-20 to the gambling hot spot at Vicksburg. Well, that's what it seemed like with all those billboards. But, wasn't there some sort of Civil War thing that happened there?

Paid our $8 a car to enter the park and drove it, seeing nary a wild hog as they had reported. The Illinois Memorial was the most impressive. Very impressed with the USS Cairo.

"I'm Going to Jackson" again, then I-55 to Canton. Stopped for a bathroom break at McDonald's and they had McRIBS!!! Wasn't hungry, but wasn't going to pass up McRibs, so had a meal.

Drove to Grenada and got a room at the Knight's Inn. Went next door to McAlister's for a night cap, but they were food only. However, behind the place was the Tiki Hut, a real hot bed of Ole Miss. Great time, reasonable drinks, tiki decor and a band. Not a bad second choice.

And, the weather today in the mid-70s so still tee shirt and shorts time.

Getting Closer to Home. --RoadDog

Mississippi Here We Come-- Breaking in NTN-- Throwing Rolls-- Knock Knock

JANUARY 18TH-- WEDNESDAY

Left Fort Walton Beach and took US-98 to Pensacola Beach and "broke in" the new NTN site at Rip Tides in the Holiday Inn Resort with two Number Ones. Had another bout with them "Throwed Rolls" in Foley, Alabama.

On to Biloxi. NTN at Shep's Fort Bayou and again looked for the Adventures Bar for NTN, but couldn't find it. Hooter's at night.


JANUARY 19TH-- THURSDAY

Drove out to Waveland on Louisiana border and played NTN at Knock Knock Bar. A rare time for NTN. There were ACTUALLY folks playing it, a rare occasion. Saw the 8-foot high Katrina watermark in the bar. Drove along shore back to St. Louis Bay. Still recovering from Katrina damage.

Sat out by the pool for some rays. Drinks at Hooter's and Hog Heaven BBQ and Blues.

Time to Head Home. --RoadDog

Walked into a McRib

Now, if that just doesn't flat out make my day!!

We spent yesterday driving across the state of Mississippi, even got gas for less than $3.20...twice.

But one definite high point was a bathroom break in Canton at a McDonald's. Whenever we stop at a place of business to use their facilities, we buy something, usually in the $1 range, so I was at the counter looking to buy a McDouble when, what did my eyes espy, but a big ad for McRibs.

No question what I was going to order. One McRib Value Meal coming right up. Even though there was a considerable delay for change and then very slow service, I waited.

There are few food choices I'll wait for, and you-know-what is one of them.

And, now, I'll have to make the call, Lambert's in Sikeston, Mo., later today, or the McDonald's to see if they ave you-know what.

Decisions, Decisions. --RoadDog

Two Days on the Road

JANUARY 4th

Drove Route 66 from Dwight to Springfield. Found the sign at Ernie Edwards' Pig Hip Restaurant was down in Broadwell. Got our Cozy Dog Fix in Springfield. Happy to find out that George Ranks bar, on Route 66, is once again open. Played NTN at Third Base Bar and had drinks at the Curve Inn and Southside Pub, both on Route 66.


JANUARY 5th

Big mileage day, 586 miles, all I-55. Had our Jack-in-the-Box taco fix in Litchfield. Lost about thirty minutes because of accident south of St. Louis. Ate at Lambert's Cafe in Sikeston. Mo., ducking them throwed rolls.

Cheapest gas of trip south of there, $3.10. Lots of traffic around Memphis. Drove to Canton, Mississippi, where we spent the night.

Hope to Make Mobile by Tonight. --RoadDog

Sitting Here in Biloxi

Checked in last night at the Super 8 Motel a little west of Biloxi and looking out the window at the Gulf of Mexico, shimmering across US-90, just past some palm trees.

We've decided to stay another day and catch some sun and perhaps pool time as it will be 70 degrees and sunny (even though there's a definite chill in the air right now).

I'm going to go to Beauvoir in a while. This is the last home of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and it was closed the last time we were here, two years after Katrina. We saw it last night with that brilliant white fence surrounding the property as well as lighting, and it was impressive.

Later, we'll drive along US-90 out to Waveland to look at what has happened since Katrina.

One More Day in the Sun Before Heading Back to Winter. --RoadDog

It's a Pickle Thing- Mississippi-Style

The July 7th Northwest Herald had an Associated Press article about strange pickles in the state of Mississippi. I mean, some of these are marinated in Kool-Aid and some are battered and deep-fried. They really love their pickles in that state, and the whole south for that matter.

An overly large number of them are consumed south of the Mason-Dixon Line. The South "has always been a pickling culture. Pickled okra. Pickled watermelon rind. Pickled peaches and fruits," says William Ferris, professor of Southern Culture and folklore at UNC-Chapel Hill.

The Double Quick chain of convenience stores has begun selling these pickles after they noticed independent grocers having brisk sales and often kids would sell them at fundraisers. The Kool-Aid marinated ones are called Koolickles. Their 30 stores each sell about 25 a day at 50 cents a pop.

In case you're wondering how to make a Koolicle:

Take a 46-ounce jar of whole pickles, a cup of sugar, 2 cups of water, and two packets of red Kool-Aid. Drain and discard the juice from the jar. Remove the pickles and cut each in half lengthwise.

Mix the water, sugar, and Kool-Aid until the sugar has completely dissolved. Pour enough into the jar so that the pickles are covered. Cover the jar and refrigerate at least 24 hours.

Easy enought to make even for a non-cook such as I. I guess I'll have to try one if I ever come across a Koolickle. Hey, I'll try anything once.

"Mississippi's culture finds itself in a pickle" by Kathy Hanrahan.

Would You Like a Koolickle with that Steak? --RoadDog