Day 90 / Mile 13,305

Though Mississippi claims name to the mighty river, it got bullied out the last stretch of it and also some prime real estate. The state could have been square-shaped to get a more expansive shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico, but they're better off since hurricanes are problems Louisiana has to deal with. Mo' miles, Mo' problems.

Nice logo, mauvais publicité.

So taking a step back, I have to admit I completely blew it. I had remembered hearing stories about the legendary dive bars in the South called "Juke Joints". Apparently right after emancipation, they were the place plantation workers went to let loose and party. It turns out there are only 5 legit places remaining in the world, 4 of which were back in Clarksdale and I was already too far down the road to turn back! Luckily the other one was still ahead on my route, and also luckily it was said to be the friendliest of them and open to all types of people. (Racism is still unfortunately very normal down here.)

I showed up at 11 am and planned on hanging out with some alcoholics at the bar.  There were no cars in the parking lot though, but checked anyways and the door was unlocked and open for business! — I showed up at 11 am and planned on hanging out with some alcoholics at the bar. There were no cars in the parking lot though, but checked anyways and the door was unlocked and open for business!

I hesitantly opened the door, peeked in, and saw this sign that immediately comforted me. — I hesitantly opened the door, peeked in, and saw this sign that immediately comforted me.

The only person there was the legend himself, TEDDY!  He told me insanely detailed stories behind every single photo and flyer hung on the walls, which basically was an hour long history lesson in The Delta Blues. — The only person there was the legend himself, TEDDY! He told me insanely detailed stories behind every single photo and flyer hung on the walls, which basically was an hour long history lesson in The Delta Blues.

I took this photo because I sat here for 20 minutes, no exaggeration.  The train was a couple miles long and rolling at a walking pace.  There was no road around it either, so... — I took this photo because I sat here for 20 minutes, no exaggeration. The train was a couple miles long and rolling at a walking pace. There was no road around it either, so...

This self-portrait at the Oak Alley Plantation came out really great, with just a touch of sun hitting me before it set.  It was a beautiful property, but has an ugly history of slavery. — This self-portrait at the Oak Alley Plantation came out really great, with just a touch of sun hitting me before it set. It was a beautiful property, but has an ugly history of slavery.

Over the history of this mansion, many people died in this room.  The cloth over the mirror is said to stop spirits from appearing in it. — Over the history of this mansion, many people died in this room. The cloth over the mirror is said to stop spirits from appearing in it.

No cloth over this one...  After processing this picture I was scared to see another face!!! — No cloth over this one... After processing this picture I was scared to see another face!!!

Imagine how great the world would be with less egos or greed.  I know, that's a pretty crazy thought to have since it'll never happen. — Imagine how great the world would be with less egos or greed. I know, that's a pretty crazy thought to have since it'll never happen.

I explored the famous Bourbon street in New Orleans.  A local shouted at me in anger for taking a photo of this funny sign outside a gay bar, I then aimed my camera at them and they flipped me 'the bird'. — I explored the famous Bourbon street in New Orleans. A local shouted at me in anger for taking a photo of this funny sign outside a gay bar, I then aimed my camera at them and they flipped me 'the bird'.

There's no photography allowed inside Marie Laveau's house of voodoo.  I waited until I got outside, because imagine what they'd do to you if you got caught!!! — There's no photography allowed inside Marie Laveau's house of voodoo. I waited until I got outside, because imagine what they'd do to you if you got caught!!!

Just a weathered school still in full use.

I asked a man sitting on a bench near this what he thought this was, and said "It's just some stuff in the water."  Face palm... — I asked a man sitting on a bench near this what he thought this was, and said "It's just some stuff in the water." Face palm...

One of the main destinations for me here, was the abandoned Six Flags Amusement Park that was thrashed by Hurricane Katrina a decade ago.  Unfortunately a big budget film is being shot right now, and they have over a dozen security gu… — One of the main destinations for me here, was the abandoned Six Flags Amusement Park that was thrashed by Hurricane Katrina a decade ago. Unfortunately a big budget film is being shot right now, and they have over a dozen security guards roaming around to keep people off their set. I tried to bribe one with a cigarette like I did in Detroit, but got shut down and had to leave. ...the sign was worth it though, still left unchanged.

If you live in a hurricane prone location, this is how you live.

Now that I finally made it to the bottom of the nation, I'm heading East! It sure is a lot warmer, been wearing shorts and loving it. Unfortunately something is going afoul in my van's motor, like it's running with the choke on all the time, real hard time starting and I smell fuel. ...merde!