Taking My Stand In Dixie

[Noel Mugavin]

Little more of the Manning Room



Back to the foyer




Ole Miss also have an indoor practice facility, unfortunately locked up so a picture through the looking glass


Into the car and a short drive to the Oxford Town Square







Townspeople named their town Oxford so as to sound like the English city in the hope that the state would locate their University there.
It worked.
Couple of things you wouldn't normally see in a small Southern town

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Faulkner, a favourite son of Oxford



More shots of the town square





Courthouse, replete with Confederate soldier statue



My original pan had me in Oxford around lunchtime, today a fair bit earlier, so re-checked my bearings, re-calculated times and decided to head back to the University to find what I couldn't a little earlier on
Regular bus services run throughout the campus, stops near the observatory



And just behind here and without knowing it i was extremely close earlier on, is what I was after



Made aware of the James Meredith story and the subsequent riots an the university from the 30 for 30 documentary 'Ghosts of Ole Miss'.
Lyceum building to the side, in my haste forgot to check out the bullet holes left from the riot

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Still in a rush so didn't get to see or explore as much of the campus as I wanted to, missing out on the confederate cemetery, The Grove, Rowan Oak and a couple of other sites.

Hour and a half drive or so to my next destination



You guessed it, Tupelo.
In my research I had for whatever reason reached the thinking that Tupelo would be a one street town still stuck in the 50's. There was no excuse for my thinking in that vein, I had read about the population of 40 000, and once I was on the interstate and into Tupelo I was soon in the matching traffic. Finally made it to Main Street, 1 way each way, and at a standstill due to a train crossing. Size of the town and the traffic standstill hadn't been accounted for in my timetable, so in my way was becoming a little frustrated with myself.
Anyway, soon on the move again



On to my goal





Into the ticket office and I purchased the basic entry into the house

 

[Straubs]

What a great report, an unexpected focus and really interesting. Thanks!

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Into the house and startled with a woman sitting in a rocking chair on the side of the room. Started talking abut the history of Elvis etc, etc, but I was in a rush and just wanted to have a look, take a couple of pictures and get going. Hats off to her passion and all, but for me she was just in the way of photos I wanted to take.
She was sitting just to the side of the window, between that and the dresser. Only a small room and she commanded quite a good deal of it.









Out of the house and into the grounds







Church Elvis went to and a replica of an era outhouse

 

[Noel Mugavin]

13 columns of water from above signifying the 13 years he lived in Tupelo, 29 in the pond for the remainder of his years (or thereabouts)


Lot of these panels giving stories from people who knew Elvis throughout his life, didin't have time to stop and read them. Took photos of most of them, will get around to reading them at some stage







A few minutes walk to the overlook statue and pavilion









Overlooking the property

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Bit of poetic license here, could even say they're taking the p****



Speaking of taking the p***, the Elvis theme continues



In the car and back along Main Street to Tupelo Hardware. Amazing that this family owned independent hardware store is still in business.
Free parking for customers as well.



Famous spot where Elvis held his first guitar



Enough time for a quick photo lap. Interesting place, would have liked to have a proper look around



Outside and on to Main Street. Another train holding traffic up

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Quick run down to the fair grounds, not sure how stringent they are on the customer part of the parking deal















No ticket, no clamp, back on the road, fueled up at Corinth and a quick stop at the visitor centre to re-confirm my directions

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Back in the car and crossing the state line



Bit of a back road but an amazingly attractive little town of Acton.
Civil war markers and information along the road, unfortunately nowhere to stop, this was taken from the car, stopped in the middle of the road



And to my next stop








The visitor centre, there was a orientation film that played in there, but again not enough time so just a quick browse

 

[Noel Mugavin]

The battle sites and monuments are on a self-guided drive, you get a map from the visitor centre and there are also markers along the way

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Shiloh Church







Small flock of wild turkey







Tennessee River



Pittsburg Landing



And ending back at the visitor centre with a nearby cemetery

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Late, late afternoon, back on the highway and had not eaten all day. Fortunately had planned to eat at the below, 5 minutes form the battlefield



Restaurant sits on the Tennessee River


Salad to start



And what may or may not be Southern raised catfish. Southern catfish farmers are fighting a somewhat losing war against cheaper Vietnamese imports. I'm not a big fish eater, but when in Rome, and I must say it was very nice. Huge portions as well.



Eye was bigger than my stomach, ended up taking the Banana Cream Pie to go



food kept coming, hush puppies were included in the meal. Had a couple, not really for me. Same as for the shoes.



Well and truly overloaded with fried food, took to the road again for the short drive to tonight's stop. 2 lane road and my only real heart in the mouth moment while driving during my time in the US. About 400m away car coming the other way was veering a long way into my lane. Fortunately I was aware enough to slow down, however there wasn't really anywhere I could go, so if he kept coming I was in a bit of strife. About to jump on the horn, when he finally came to his senses and pulled back in to his own lane. My banana pie had slid off the front seat as well, I would have to wait until I arrived at my hotel to open the bag and see the damage.

On I went, a common sight in the south.



Stop for the night,nowhere near as picturesque as the Georgia version.



Hotel for the night, Indian proprietor, nice discussion about cricket and Ricky Ponting in particular



Was having second thoughts about my choice, seemed a bit deserted, located between 2 highways, and a jail over the road.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Large room, comfortable enough bed and upon checking my banana cream pie had discovered the nice surprise that it had been placed in a styrofoam container and had survived the fall on to the floor of the car completely intact.



Went for a little wander





Antique store that was open by appointment only











Hotel filled up significantly in the early evening, long day so slept pretty well

 

[OZDUCK]

Really enjoying your TR.

What I like about a lot of reports by people who get off the main roads is learning new things - like how seeing the Trail of Tears sign made me look up what it signified. Plus I now know more about hush puppies. - of the non footwear variety.

 

[Noel Mugavin]

On the road again



Decided to take a little detour



Quickly turned back, windy road and lots of junk in the yards



Highways occassionally take you through towns, need to keep an eye on the route markers to make sure you come on the right track



Some very nice houses in Fayetteville





Not too long and my first stop for the day



The factory and office


Family run business they provide factory tours, unfortunately they don't work on Fridays. However the owner was in his office doing the books and was quite happy to show me around and let me sample the wares. Very nice old fella, has 14 employees since they started in about 2003, no staff turnover in all that time.
Purchased some things for myself and people back home, currently trying to make the last of the whisky praline pecans stretch out a little longer

 

[Noel Mugavin]

My destination for the day



Town Square with the courthouse in the centre



Shops and a couple of restaurants and cafes surround the courthouse

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Minute or two stroll to where I was to have lunch





Former guesthouse that now serves lunch, owned and run by Jack Daniel



Front porch


Waiting room

 

[Noel Mugavin]

There are a number of dining rooms and a bell rings, dining room name is called out and a host greets you and takes everyone in your party to the dining room



Round table, lazy susan in the middle. Surprisingly, no one said grace



On my table 5 workmates from a hospital in Nashville, a couple from Alabama, myself and the host. The host was an elderly lady who during who working life was a home economics teacher. She told us stories about the house and town and this and that for the hour while we ate and talked. She worked a couple of days a week at the the boarding house, 3 lunches a day. She did take food and put it on her plate but didn't actually eat any of it.
Cooks, servers, cleaners were all students form a county college, part of their course. The college works with the boarding house, they don't have classes on the 2 days they work. Host told us they rotate roles every shift and pool the tips, by the time they finish their course they eradicate their student loan debt through the tips.

On the plate - fried chicken, creamed corn of some sort, potato salad, fried okra, jack daniels apples, meatloaf and what I would return to the states for, green bean casserole



Dessert - walnut chocolate pie, with Jack Daniel infused cream.



host insisted on a hug from everyone at the conclusion of lunch and with that I was off to check in to the hotel



Once again Indian owners, research online and from the book 'Deep South' the Patel caste have a bit of a stronghold on the motel industry in the US. Interesting reading.

Was only about 12.30 and I was able to check in. Told only the end room available, no problems from my end. While I was in reception 2 couples arrived, and looking at a pin map of the world where guests have arrived form, 1 exclaimed 'People from Australia have stayed here!'
My cue - picked up a pin and stuck it in Perth.
That immediately had them talking to me and I had the magic words 'just talk', one of them telling the receptionist to put them in the room next to me.
Bid my farewells.
The room





A swim was out of the question



All sorted at the hotel, short 2 minute drive back to town

 

[Noel Mugavin]

Have to park at the Lynchburg Welcome Centre across the road form the distillery. Shuttles for those unable/unwilling to walk



Visitor centre









Moore County is still dry so the only place you can get a drink is through a tasting tour; only place you can buy alcohol is the distillery gift store where you are able to buy a 'commemorative' bottle. Speaking to one of the guides he explained they're situated in the bible belt, in the middle of a farming community, no one wants bars or bottle shops near them. All good, also helps that Jack Daniels drives the economy, charges what they like for a bottle and also keeps any competitors out.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Really enjoying your travels, Noel, and learning a lot.