The Starkville KOA is located on the sandy shores of Oktibbeha County Lake, it is a 513-acres. It is the largest state fishing lake in North Region, was first opened in 1967. It is one of the 19 state fishing lakes operated
by the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks.
Known for its good population of catfish and largemouth bass, the lake also offers fine crappie and bream fishing. The lake is stocked with the following species: Largemouth Bass,
Crappie, Bluegill, Redear, Channel Catfish, Flathead Catfish and Blue Catfish. Flathead and channel catfish in the 30-pound range are not uncommon. Don’t expect to get many largemouth bass bites, but the ones that do will be good ones.
Our campsite had a great view of the lake, the only issue was .... there was no water in the lake. The reason for no water is a portion of Oktibbeha County Lake's levee shows signs of excessive failures and requires major repairs. To fully understand the scope of the problem, they had to lower the lake's water level for a closer inspection. That is where we are now, the water levels are low enough now to access the levee.
The rally sad part of all of this, is there is a Wet & Wild Water Park at the KOA. Since there is no water, there is no water park. I am sure that is a big loss for their summertime revenue.
One last picture of the "missing" lake. We turned back onto US 82 East. We should be on this route all day today and most of tomorrow.
Mississippi State University Research Farm is part of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. They offer several academic programs, including Plant and Soil Sciences offering programs in agronomy, horticulture, environmental science, and weed science. Our programs integrate teaching, research, and extension missions to find answer to some of the major issues facing agriculture today.
We saw several business named, The Golden Triangle Hospital, Golden Triangle Railroad... Why is this area called the Golden Triangle? The Golden Triangle references an area in Mississippi encompassing Columbus, Starkville and West Point. The triangle boasts a 15-mile radius that includes three distinct communities, offering a cumulative area of prime development potential. The "triangle" has a population of more than 128,000 and is formed by the three cities and their respective counties (Lowndes, Oktibbeha, and Clay). The term was created to encourage greater economic ties and development among the three cities and counties. The three cities share Golden Triangle Regional Airport, which is the third largest in the state. This area has been considered part of Mississippi's Black Belt region, and its economy was largely based on cotton production well into the 20th century.
Columbus, Mississippi, is a noteworthy heritage destination on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. With three National Register Districts, the city boasts nearly 700 nationally significant properties and one of the largest collections of 19th century homes in Mississippi. It is also noted as the birthplace of renowned playwright Tennessee Williams. The modern city traces its history to 1810, when Choctaw interpreter John Pitchlynn established a home four miles from what is now Columbus. Pitchlynn's farm on Plymouth Bluff was fortified during the Creek War of 1813-1814 and became an important strong point on the Choctaw frontier.
One of the many factors that makes Columbus unique is its long-standing commitment to education for women. The Columbus Female Institute was founded there in 1847. One of the city's best known ghost stories originates from this time. Callaway Hall at Mississippi University for Women was one of the original buildings of the Columbus Female Institute. It served as a hospital during the Civil War and is supposed to be haunted by the ghost of a nurse known only as Mary. It is said that she committed suicide by leaping from an upper floor after the death of a soldier with whom she had fallen in love. In 1884, the school that eventually became the Mississippi University for Women was chartered in Columbus. The city offered up the buildings of the defunct Columbus Female Institute. The "W" is the oldest public university in America founded for women. The university has admitted men since 1982 but still focuses heavily on leadership opportunities and professional development for women. Among is best known former students was famed novelist Eudora Welty who attended from 1925-1927. She won the Pulitzer Prize for The Optimist's Daughter.
Columbus, in fact, has ties to two Pulitzer Award winning writers. Thomas Lanier Williams III was born there on March 26, 1911. Under the name Tennessee Williams he became a world renowned playwright and received Pulitzer Prizes for "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" and "A Streetcar Named Desire." Williams' maternal grandfather, Walter Dakin, was an Episcopal priest and the future writer was born in what was then the rectory for St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Dakin baptised his grandson at St. Paul's and both structures have a strong association with Williams. The Tennessee Williams Birthplace has been restored to its 1911 appearance and now serves as a welcome center for the City of Columbus.
We crossed from Mississippi into Alabama with a little bit more sunshine and a few less clouds. In 2003, forty-one years after Lynyrd Skynrd recorded "Sweet Home Alabama," the state began adding the slogan for signs welcoming visitors at the state lines. Alabama had previously used the song title on state license plates and in tourism promotions. The song is recognized all over the world and the phrase "Sweet Home Alabama" makes people happy.
The location of the City of Tuscaloosa is on the "Fall Line" of the Black Warrior River, the location has been well known to the various Indian tribes whose shifting fortunes brought them to West Alabama. The river shoals at Tuscaloosa represented the southernmost site on the river which could be forded under most conditions. Inevitably, a network of Indian trails converged upon the place, the same network which, in the first years of the 19th Century began to lead a few intrepid white frontiersmen to the area. In honor of the legendary "Black Warrior", a great chief who had had a fateful encounter with explorer Hernando DeSoto centuries before somewhere in Southwest Alabama, the settlers named the place Tuscaloosa (from the Choctaw words "tushka" meaning warrior and "lusa" meaning black).
The City of Tuscaloosa is one day older than the State of Alabama. In 1831, the University of Alabama was established. Establishment of the Bryce State Hospital for the Insane in Tuscaloosa in the 1850's helped restore the City's fortunes. During the Civil War, Tuscaloosa County furnished about 3,500 men to the Confederate armies. During the last weeks of the War, a Federal raiding party burned the campus of the University. Tuscaloosa shared fully in the South's economic sufferings which followed the defeat. By the advent of the 20th Century, the growth of the University of Alabama and a strong national economy fueled a steady growth in Tuscaloosa which continued unabated for 100 years.
We were driving through Tuscaloosa looking for a place to pull off, on the map I found University Mall, which looked like a good place. What we found at the mall was a bonus! A Veterans Memorial Park! It was developed as a memorial for all veterans of the United States Armed Forces and as a tribute to Northington General Army Hospital, one of the largest military hospitals in the world at the end of WWII.
When the hospital closed, it was stipulated that the one-acre site could only be used as a shrine, a memorial to veterans or a denominational church. The Park was first dedicated in 1978 as a memorial for veterans of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. In 2002, surviving crew members of the USS Tuscaloosa held a joint reunion with their sister ship the USS Wichita. Starting in 2003 the Tuscaloosa Veterans Memorial Park Association has presented a Memorial Day service for those who sacrificed for our freedom, country and way of life. Today the Park serves as an invaluable patriotic reminder for our children and future generations.
Just before Centerville, we hit some rain with sun shining! It is very interesting, every time I see it!
Just after the rain, a guy pulled in front of us with a truck that looked like Charlie's truck in Florida. Except he had a rack of elk horns, and I am sure the head! Wow, that rack is big!
We passed the Tallledega Forest, to the south of our route. The Talladega National Forest offers a peaceful atmosphere that is filled in wild game, camping, and hiking utopias. The forest also features picturesque scenic waterfalls throughout its striking setting. The total Forest covers almost 400,000-acres. Before it was bought by the federal government in the 1930s, the area that comprises the Talladega was extensively logged and represented some of the most abused, eroded wastelands in all of Alabama. Pine forest regrowth now hosts a diverse eco-system.
We passed by stand after stand selling Alabama Peaches. What is the deal with Alabama Peaches? Georgia's nickname may be the "Peach State" but Alabama peaches are some of the sweetest. And for all you peach lovers, the delicious fuzzy fruit is now in season. Farmers have just started picking their peaches. We will stop and pick some up tomorrow.
Just outside of Prattville, Alabama we arrived at Kountry Air RV Park. The "Mom" of the Mom & Pop operation met us at the office, got us checked in and led us to our site. It is an over-sized pull-thru at the back of the park, with a nice view of the park and the woods! It is our home for just one night! See you tomorrow in Georgia!
We departed Magnolia RV Park and headed North on 371, then we had to head back east on US 82. It was a great park for an overnight or a few days. The work camper was very friendly and helpful, our site was large and the views were amazing!
We passed the Southern Arkansas University Campus and the Story Arena.The Story Arena is a multipurpose, covered arena located on US 82, west of the Mulerider Stables. The facility is a 78,000 square foot covered rodeo-style arena with a dirt floor and seating for approximately 1,400. There is also an adjacent 7,500 square foot reception area that sits in front of the arena.
The reception area includes ticket booth, concession stand, office, meeting/conference room, restrooms and a grilling porch. The construction of the rodeo arena was a part of the Blue and Gold Vision, the University’s first capital campaign to raise more than $100 million. The arena itself was made possible by the generous $2 million gift from Magnolia residents
Therral and Jan Story, the largest single-donor gift in SAU’s long history. The arena is home to Southern Arkansas University’s nationally competitive collegiate rodeo team, providing a place where members can practice rain or shine, as well as providing the opportunity for the SAU rodeo team to host annual rodeo events.
We are driving down the road, with trees on both sides of the road. It is easy to see that we are not in Texas anymore! It is amazing how the landscapes can change from one state to another. While we were traveling from on our Southwest Grand Circle Caravan, sometimes the landscape changed from town to town!
The welcome sign for El Dorado, claims it is Arkansas original Boomtown. El Dorado is Spanish for the gilded one. Matthew F. Rainey became the first resident of El Dorado by accident. Raineys wagon broke down there in 1843, and being unable to get replacement parts, he held a sale of his possessions. The sale went so well that he bought more goods and opened a store. It is not known if Rainey was responsible for naming his new home in recognition of his good fortune. On January 10, 1921, the Bussey Oil Well blew and black gold began to flow.
In a matter of weeks, El Dorados population grew to over 20,000 people. El Dorado was transformed from a settled, sleepy little community to a boomtown. By the end of October, about 460 producing wells had been drilled and 10 million barrels of oil had been taken from the area. Recovering from the initial impact of the boom, El Dorado steadied and soon transformed itself from an oil camp into a city which has continued to progress. The citys tree-lined historic downtown with its colorful flower gardens attracts thousand of visitors each year. What the Gold Rush was to California, the oil boom was to El Dorado. The first oil boom was short-lived. Arkansas rose to fourth in the United States in oil production in 1924, but output fell by one-fourth in 1926 and prices were less than the cost of production in the Depression, a second boom came in 1937. Drilling to 5,500 feet, twice as deep as in the first wells, led to the opening of the Shuler field. Arkansas production recovered and remained stable for a number of years.
Crossett Harbor Recreation Area is completely surrounded by the southern forest of Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge, with close proximity to the Ouachita and Saline Rivers. The recreation area boasts a public boat ramp, group pavilion, picnic grounds, paved camping sites with charcoal grills, concrete picnic tables, fire rings, lantern hangers, handicap sites, restrooms and showers, dump station, hiking and tenting available.
The town of Crossett is just nine miles north the state's border with Louisiana, that is the closest we got to Louisiana in our travels this time. The town was named after Edward S. Crossett, a leading entrepreneur in the lumber industry's emergence in Arkansas. In May 1899, Crossett joined with three partners to form the Crossett Lumber Company, which then sought to build a lumber mill in the town of Hamburg. Displeased with the reception the proposed mill was receiving there, the company selected a site in the forest about 12 miles southeast of Hamburg, where Crossett was born as a tent city constructing the company's mill. Lumber from initial milling operations was used to build a permanent mill, company offices and employee housing. Crossett remained a classic "mill town" into the mid-1940s with Crossett Lumber owning all the town's homes and businesses until 1946. Though some early lumber towns were abandoned when the supply of harvestable trees was exhausted, Crossett's future was secured through improved forest management practices and through the manufacture of diverse forest-related products, including wood alcohol, turpentine, chemicals needed by soap and paint manufacturers, charcoal, food board and flakeboard. Georgia-Pacific Corporation purchased Crossett Lumber in 1962 and its manufacturing complex in Crossett now covers more than 800 acres.
In 2011, Hamburg was designated a Preserve America Community. The town was created in 1849, two months after Ashley County was formed from part of Drew County. Two of the first public buildings were built the next year, the courthouse and the county jail. During the Civil War, the town provided troops to the Confederacy and several companies of the Third Arkansas Infantry that fought with the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by Hamburg lawyer Van H. Manning. The town escaped military action during the war, though Union troops briefly occupied it during Reconstruction. The city’s economy was divided among agriculture and forestry due to the town’s geographic location. Immediately east and west are prairie regions dedicated to rice and soybean culture. A few miles east, cotton reigns in the Mississippi Delta. On the north and the south, timber is plentiful. Through the early 1900s, agriculture dominated though lumber production became important in later years. After the Depression, social shifts occurred when farmers gave up attempts to live off their land. Many left the region or went to work in sawmills or paper mills. These days, the downtown square, with its gazebo, now serves as home-base to the annual Armadillo Festival, held the first weekend in May since 1970. Among Hamburg’s famous former residents are Colonel Van H. Manning, who helped organize and command the Third Arkansas Infantry, writer Charles Portis, author of such novels as True Grit, and former NBA star Scottie Pippen. Pippen Meadows Golf Course, the town’s first golf course (9 holes), opened in 2008 and is owned by Pippen.
Just before Montrose, Arkansas we saw first had what too much water can do. But, just like everything else, there are two sides to every story! Too much water kills the potatoes, but irrigation ponds are full.
Lake Village is located along the Great River Road National Scenic Byway and lies on the "C" shaped curving shore of picturesque Lake Chicot, a 20-mile long abandoned channel of the Mississippi River that is Arkansas's largest natural lake. Lake Chicot State Park offers cabins, campgrounds, a marina and other recreational assets. County and private campgrounds are also located on the lakeshore, while the downtown Jack R. Rhodes Lakefront Park provides a community swimming area, walking path, small amphitheater, boat ramp and picnic pavilions.
The historic Lakeport Plantation near the town of Lake Village is the only remaining Arkansas plantation located along the Mississippi River that has not been significantly altered. The restored Greek revival home is now a part of Arkansas State University’s Heritage sites. Other area attractions include exhibits at the Lake Chicot Pumping Plant, a $90-million facility built to protect the lake's water quality by diverting silt-laden run-off; and the Guachoya Cultural Art Center. Just north of downtown, a marker records the site where Charles Lindbergh landed in April 1923 after completing history’s first night flight. We did not get to see Charles Lindbergh flying, but we did see a plane cross the road in front of us to land.
Just before the Arkansas and Mississippi border, we crossed over the Mississippi River. There were no Casino boats on the Mississippi today, but the signs for them are all over.
The first town in Mississippi is Greenville. On the edge of Greenville is a Visitor Information Center that is housed in an old Riverboat. What a unique idea. The second story of the Riverboat was a small museum. There was a great deal about the music of Mississippi.
One of the
things I foundmost interesting was clothing from "Mississippi Slim," some called him the eight wonder of the world, because of his size. A popular blues musician from Mississippi and Chicago, known for his bright hair and mismatch socks and shoes. Walter Horn, better known as Mississippi Slim. Horn decided to pursue a full-time career in music and moved to Chicago in 1968. He immediately changed his stage name to Mississippi Slim. Touring with Junior Wells and other well known acts on Chicago’s west side, Horn’s reputation as a great blues artist quickly grew. Often compared to the likes of Z.Z. Hill and Johnnie Taylor, Horn soon carved his own niche in the blues industry recording his first single, “Crying in The Arms of Another Love,” for the Sunflower label in 1974. He was the musical version of Dennis Rodman!
Leland is most noted for being the boyhood home of Jim Henson, creator of the Muppets. Along Highway 82 as you enter Leland you will find the Jim Henson Delta Boyhood Exhibit, made possible through a gift from the Henson Family. The Museum houses many artifacts and memorabilia from Henson's early creative years, and is a must-see for any Kermit enthusiast. The museum includes a real Kermit the Frog in a display case as well as an impressive Muppets collection. There's a kid play area with toys and puzzles and enough good museum items to impress adults. The curator is happy to tell you all you ever wanted to know about Jim Henson.
We passed what looked like rice paddies in Mississippi, do they grow rice in Mississippi? The answer is yes! Mississippi is one of the major rice producing states, ranking behind Arkansas, Louisiana, Texas, and California. Modern commercial rice production in Mississippi had its start in 1948 when Mr. Rex Kimbrell produced approximately 300 acres just south of Greenville in Washington County. Harvested acres increased to 5000 the next year.
Acreage increased rapidly for the next five years to about 77,000 acres in 1954.In recent years, rice acreage has been increasing and was more than 300,000. Rice production in Mississippi has been confined almost entirely to the Mississippi-Yazoo Delta, with only very limited production outside this area. Bolivar, Washington, and Sunflower counties in the center of the Delta have been the leading counties in rice production. The clay soils, large flat fields, quality water availability, and favorable climate are excellent for rice growth.
Entering Greenwood Mississippi, their welcome sign explains they are the Cotton Capitol of the World. Is that possible? The wealth of the antebellum South was based on growing “white gold,” and Greenwood prospered into the Cotton Capital of the World because of its location. In the heart of the Delta and a high point on the Yazoo River, Greenwood was a prime shipping point to connect with the Mississippi River ports of Vicksburg, New Orleans, and St. Louis. Today, Greenwood houses the second largest U.S. cotton exchange, with about one fifth of the North America’s crop warehoused and sold here.
Just off the Winona exit on I-55 is a large cross. There is no associated church that is visible from either I-55 or Hwy 82. This is a cross without a church. we have seen large crosses before, but they were usually associated with a church, this cross is next to a Holiday Inn Express.
In Stewart Mississippi there was an old building with an old coca-cola sign on the side of a building. The sign was faded, but it was still very visible!
The end of the day travels produced some interesting clouds in the sky. We have not seen rain, since early this morning, but it looks like it could rain again.
We arrived at the Starkville KOA, it is on a lake, but the lake is way down ... we learned why, but I will share that with you tomorrow. This KOA is our home for one night!
For those of you that don't know ... I collect Campbell Soup items, in addition to my salt and pepper shakers. My Mom was big into Campbell Soup Items. I have quite a bit, but it must be able to be displayed or used in the kitchen, the only exception is the annual Christmas ornaments. I noticed on our way in yesterday, that there was a Campbell's Plant in Paris. I have since learned that Campbell's began operating its Paris facility in 1964, a year before I was born!
The company currently produces Campbell’s Select Harvest, Campbell’s Chunky, Campbell’s Healthy Request and Campbell’s Red and White condensed soups, Swanson broths, Prego pasta sauce, Pace salsa and V8 juices. They have an almost 2-million-square-foot facility. Campbell employs over 1,200 people at the Paris plant. Too bad their production facilities are not open to the public, I would have loved a tour!
Also, you can't be in Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower! Did you know there are 17 towns in the US with the name of Paris? But only Paris, Texas and Paris, Tennessee are the only ones to have a large Eiffel Tower replica. Of course, the Eiffel Tower in Texas has a cowboy hat on top!
We departed Spencer's RV Park north of Paris, Texas this morning to an overcast sky and light rain. We traveled south on 271 for about 2-miles and then got back on US 82 heading east.
In its heyday, Blossom was famous for its mineral wells, which numbered around one hundred. The water was of such a good quality, because of the many different minerals it contained, that it was advertised widely as a cure-all for various diseases. A bathhouse was built for people to bathe, in the "healing water". People came from near and far to utilize the bathhouse or just to drink some of the water that they believed would make them healthier. Hotels sprang up to accommodate these visitors. Hotels at that time were The Burke, Sharp, Guthrie & Lamar. Several of the businesses in Blossom that were here in the early years were constructed from brick that was manufactured at the two brick plants in the town. One of the buildings built from" Blossom brick" is still standing and currently houses a hardware store. The two story structure was built originally to be used as a bank, with a telephone office being located on the second floor. In later years, it served as a post office.
Clarksville doesn't have much to offer for travelers, but there is some neat history there. Clarksville is actually one of the oldest cities in Texas. It came into being in 1837, but was already an established settlement in the 1820s. Another influential figure to come out of Clarksville was Charles DeMorse. He began publishing The Northern Standard, one of the Republic's first newspapers, in 1842. A true confederate, he changed the name of the paper to simply The Standard when he believed the Union got too pushy. Clarksville also has the distinction of being one of the only towns in the state that never suffered through a fire. Consequently, the courthouse contains records from the beginning of the Republic until today.
One of the biggest events ever in the town of about 1,700 people, was when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Ricky Nelson with six other passengers died in the New Year's Eve crash near their town of De Kalb, Texas. The remains of Nelson's plane sit in a little visited museum as a reminder of the day the town was thrust into the national spotlight. The Williams House Museum it is right on Route 82. It is a 1885 Texas & Pacific Railroad Section House filled with memorabilia from the residents of De Kalb. The museum has been created and is staffed by volunteers. Besides the tail section of Ricky Nelson of the Stone Canyon Band, exhibits include Dan Blocker (Hoss) of Bonanza fame; Huddie Leadbetter (Leadbelly) "De Kalb Blues"; American League Umpire Durwood Merrill (1938-2003); Boston Red Sox's coach Rac Slider; former State Represenative Barry B. Telford; Pittsburg Pirates Luke Walker (pitched the first World Series Night Game against the Dodgers in 1971); and many others.
Boston was named for an early storekeeper in the settlement, WJ Boston. The coming of the railroads led to the location of two more Bostons. A depot was built about four miles north of Boston and was named New Boston. The first Boston then became Old Boston. The courthouse was moved to Texarkana in the early 1880's but a later election carried to move the courthouse back to the geographic center of the county. This location was between the Bostons. The Post Office Department named this location Boston, so Bowie County has claim to three Bostons; New Boston, Boston. and Old Boston.
As we drove through New Boston, they were just getting set up for "The Hottest Festival in Texas" the New Boston Pioneer Days Festival. It is a 4 day event held annually at T&P Trail Head Park & Pavilion. This is also the future site of the Three Bostons Museum.
Running along side US 82 are Union Pacific railway tracks. Also, the Red River Army Depot and the Lone Star Army Ammunition Plant are located on the other side of the tracks, in Hooks Texas. The tracks are used to load and transport the equipment. Charlie was reminiscing about an annual training at Red River Army Depot with the 134th Maintenance Company. Wow, that was a long time ago!
We crossed into Arkansas by driving down State Line Ave. We had a gift card to Albertson's and I found one in Texarkana Arkansas. State Line Ave is what separates Texas and Arkansas. As you drive down the road, there are Texas flags on one side of the road and Arkansas flags on the other. It is pretty cool! I could not get a clear picture of it, but here is a picture at the courthouse.
We crossed over the Red River, which looked swollen from the recent rains.
We ran across a train derailment along US 82 west of Lewisville. The derailment occurred on Sunday around 11:30 am, we drove by on Wednesday a full three days after the derailment. It was reported that thirty-two of the cars derailed. Investigators with Union Pacific are still trying to determine the cause. Along with the derailment comes several hundred feet of damaged rails. The cars were carrying frac sand which is not hazardous. Frac sand is a natural product made from sandstone. The crews were still working on clearing the accident.
We arrived in Magnolia Arkansas, to spend the night at Magnolia RV Park. A small park with a pond, grassy area between sites, woods, river rock roads and sites. This will be our home for one night.
Known for its good population of catfish and largemouth bass, the lake also offers fine crappie and bream fishing. The lake is stocked with the following species: Largemouth Bass,
