Jackson, MS

Today we traveled a path first carved by Native Americans, then hunters and traders, followed by Jackson's army and finally people like us! From a mere path through the woods, the Natchez Trace evolved into the scenic road from Natchez, MS all the way to Tennessee. We got off in Jackson, MS and bid farewell to a lovely morning on the road. (Thanks for the tip, Forest!)

Jackson has some

lovely churches (rivaling Dubuque, IA) but the city goes to sleep at 5pm -- at least near our historic hotel near the capitol. We went for a drive in search of healthy fare for dinner and had to venture miles away to a lively neighborhood to find something open. (We're feeling t h i c k from all the heavy food.)

Fortunately, a Piggly Wiggly came into view and a new adventure was born. What fun to explore someone else's grocery store! Two aisles had our full attention: an entire row of various types of bleach (why?) and an entire row of canned vegetables -- in gallon-sized cans!

Our hotel picnic consisted of: salami, strawberries, grapes, apples, yogurt, rolls and Jell-O with fruit in it. (They thought the Jell-O would be a treat, but none of them would actually eat it!) Then Peanut bit into a strawberry and goes, "This tastes weird; are these organic?" I said, "Eat it and be grateful we have anything fresh at all. We could be eating out of cans!"