a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Don't Know Where I Was...

when I planned this trip but I just wasn't thinking.  Mid trip, it dawned on me, we're in the Delta!  First an Arkansas Delta then into the Mississippi Delta. 
The Delta is not just a geological or geographical description, it's a way of life, a different but amazing culture.
It is history!!  From the flat lands of old plantations to the present day farms of soybeans, corn, rice, wheat and, of course, cotton. It's  a culture, very different from the hills of  north central Arkansas.
The rows of shanties were gone but I could still see them standing in my mind.  The fields of cotton, being hand picked by slaves, all these pictures were in my mind's eye as we traveled. We crossed  historical places from the Louisiana Purchase and places where Ponce De Leon had stood. We also were in the birth place of blues and jazz and I felt honored to be there.
Nope, don't know why I didn't think of the Delta until mid-trip but I did...and I looked through different eyes.
Even on a dreary day, the Great Mississippi was impressive.
And life was good!

17 comments:

Unknown said...

I am glad you took along your camera. I sure wish I had of had one while I was seeing all of the sights. Of course, I probably wouldn't have done enough truckin' if I had of had one along.

Anyway, one of the coolest routes I would run from time to time was straight south out of Memphis on US 61, which runs parallel to the river on the Mississippi side. For it takes you through old plantation country, which doesn't look quite the same from the interstate.

Kitty Moore said...

I've never been but it certainly looks like the kind of place where you can clear your head and find some peace x

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Yes, it is a very different way of life but for life or limb ya can't buy an ounce of unsweet tea!!!

Heeehehehehe!!!

I'm so thrilled ya took pictures to share.

God bless ya and have an amazin' day my friend!!! :o)

Sandy Livesay said...

Gail, Sounds like you had a great trip. Your pictures are nice, thank you for sharing. Your pictures remind me of several old movies when they focus on the plantations and cotton fields. I used to live east of the Mississippi River, now I can't get my hubby to go past the Mississippi, he always says he needs shots before he goes.

Judie said...

We took our Canadian cousins on route 61 for a trip to Mardi Gras one year. We lived in Memphis at the time. One usually doesn't see stray dogs around the bayous because the gators usually get them.

TexWisGirl said...

i'm glad you were able to tap into the history of the region. such hard work, toil, suffering and success, all rolled together.

Marti said...

Looks like a great trip through a historic part of our county.

Regena said...

The photo looks like the Palmer House, it is located just down the road from the Louisianna Purchase Monument park. I grew up on the farm connected to the park land. Thanks for posting, I love your blog.

Country Gal said...

Wonderful post and photos ! I have never been there and now I have a wonderful vision of what it used to look like through your post and photos of then and now ! Have a great day !

Farm Girl said...

I may never see that in person so I really enjoy your pictures. I think about the history that happened there and it is so neat to see it. We are just at this place in our history book so it is neat to see how it looks now. :)

Susan Anderson said...

It's always good to look at something from a new perspective, especially one that increases our interest and adds some history and context.

Cool!

=)

LindaG said...

It's funny that Nezzy talks about unsweet tea.
There is a restaurant in Louisiana that we frequent. Basic home cooking. They are famous for their pies.

You actually can not get sweet tea in that restaurant.
Surprises me still.

Wonderful pictures and great memories - past and present. Thanks for sharing them with us, Gail. :)

DesertHen said...

So glad you remembered and shared your thoughts and photos with us! Love that house in the last photo!

Dreaming said...

Love your pictures. I can almost feel the humidity and smell the water!

jp@A Green Ridge said...

I've always thought that area was so interesting. Too hot for me though!...:)JP

labbie1 said...

And pulled pork BBQ with coleslaw on the top! Never did get used to the coleslaw on top of the pulled pork in a sandwich! :)

carolina nana said...

I went to Texas several years ago with daughter to play basketball and passed through Mississippi and Louisiana and when I crossed the mighty Mississippi River it took my breath away. I wish we would have had time to get off the interstate and see more of the delta area than we did. It is a special place with a special history for sure.
Blessings
Marilyn

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