Oxford, Mississippi

We made it to Oxford today. Home of Ole Miss and, more importantly to me, the home of my late grandfather, Winthrop D. Jordan (1931-2007) and step grandmother, Cora M. Jordan (1941-2011). I miss them both terribly. Behind me is the Courthouse at The Square.

America!

"O, beautiful for spacious skies, for amber waves of grain
For purple mountains' majesty, above the fruited plain"

"This land is your land, this land is my land
From California to the New York island
From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters
This land was made for you and me"

Those are my two co-national anthems. None of that "rocket's red glare" stuff for me. Plus they're easier to sing.

Happy Independence Day everyone!

P.S. A happy birthday shout to Wendy O'Brien too!

The Big River

Today we crossed the Mississippi River at Helena, Arkansas. The delta region is a mecca for blues fans and we visited the Delta Cultural Center and learned about Sonny Boy Williamson and Howlin' Wolf and other blues legends who spent time in the area. On the other side of the river, we drove by Stovall Farms near Friars Point, Mississippi where Muddy Waters was born and raised. My dad was in full on music nerd mode, bowing forward and muttering "we're not worthy, we're not worthy." It looked like any other farm to me. The picture is at "The Crossroads" in Clarksdale, Mississippi.

When People Do Really Really Terrible Things

April 19, 1995 was a really bad day in our nation's history. Some guy parked a truck full of explosives outside the Alfred P. Murrah federal building in Oklahoma City and killed 168 people for no good reason. I was a toddler at the time, so I don't remember it (not that I read the news now). The Oklahoma City National Memorial honors those who lost their lives that day.

Palo Duro Canyon

This morning we hiked up to the rim of this spectacular canyon and had a view of the vast Llano Estacado of the Texas panhandle. On the way back to camp a ranger gave us a lift which was much appreciated because it was hot. People are really nice here.

Texas!

What could be more Route 66 or more Texan than the Cadillac Ranch just west of Amarillo? My dad likes to joke that we don't fit in here because we drive a Subaru with California plates, have microbrew beer in the cooler, and don't have a gun rack. He sees our home state and Texas as being each other's id. Seriously, we both love the beautiful landscapes, the friendly people, and the great music of this fine place.

Route 66

"If you ever plan to motor west
Take my way, that's the highway that's the best
Get your kicks on Route 66"