Coney Island Cafe

Hattiesburg, MS:   I have SO wanted to go here for years, but it never worked out.  Well…it finally worked out.   Such a classic.   Beautiful aroma, beautiful decades of fry grease patina…exactly as I imagined.  Hot dogs, real fries, burgers, grilled cheese, or egg sandwiches!  Priced right, but you’re going to want one of everything on the menu.  Definitely on your bucket list!

  

Pizza and A Brew in Eastpoint

If passing through Eastpoint (just east of Apalachicola), take a stop at Eastpoint Beer Company.  They brew their own beers and they’re pretty good.  But more importantly, sit in the back of the place and enjoy a view of the bay.  And if you’re hungry, you can order a pizza from the boat (yes, boat) on a trailer at the far end of the building.  The cheese pizza was very good, and the special was 2 slices and a beer for $8, so you can’t beat that.

It's Blue Ridge Mountain Time!

I've had enough of the long hot summer and fall won't arrive even though it's November.  It's time to pack it up and head to Blue Ridge, GA.  It's a nice little get-away for a mini-vacay.  We seemed to have hit it just right for the fall tree colors.  For starters, pick out a nice little cabin with an awesome view.   A lot of them have hot tubs, grills, decks for the views, fire pits, etc.  

No better cup of coffee in the morning than one with a view.

There's some scenic drives in all directions.   And you can be fairly alone out there, so it's nice.

At the end of a scenic drive or hiking day, hit the Blue Ridge Brewery for a great Kobe Burger and refreshments.

About a mile out of town is Mercier Orchards where you can load up on apples if you hit the timing right.  The store is mobbed out with scrappy women hoarding up all sorts of preserves, apples, artsy gifts and fried pies.  They make their own hard cider, so you can have a tasting there, or load a growler.  The fried pies are the bomb though....

McCaysville is a quaint little town split in half by the river with the north side being Copperhill, TN.  If you ride the Blue Ridge Scenic Railway from Blue Ridge, they'll dump you out here for 2 hours to poke around.   What's not to like about a Drug and Gun store?  

Love the t-shirts!

Head south out of Blue Ridge on the Aska Road, and (if you're looking for it) you'll eventually find the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail.  It's located at the top of Springer Mountain which will involve about 6.5 miles of bumpy, curvy gravel mountain road followed by a 0.9 mile hike to the terminus, but it's all scenic and cool.

If you just happen to be in Dial, GA (somewhere between Springer Mountain and Hwy 60), stop into Van Zandt's Grocery and get some grub.   Had the place to ourselves and the fried hotdog was pretty blame good.

Brasstown Bald is worth a trip, south of Blairsville.   It's Georgia's highest peak, topping out at 4,784 feet.  Great views if the weather cooperates.

The whole deal is an awesome (small) mountains trip.

BONUS SECTION:    Did I mention the chipped pork at Phil's BBQ in Eufaula?   Well, it's awesome, so stop often...

And while you're at it, enjoy the fresh coating of snow in the South...

Down Home BBQ

Meridian Mississippi.   This says it all:   "You don't need no teeth to eat Shack's Meat."

Questions?

Just go.

Dwarf Cypress Preserve!

Off the beaten path.   Between Apalachicola and Carrabelle.   About 5 miles up a dirt road off of Hwy 98.  Little 300 year old cypresses that only grow to 15 feet.  Only here.  Plant the seeds elsewhere and they grow normal.   But here, no.  You may be the only one here, but it's kinda cool.

THE SHACK-UP INN

Your second stay in the Delta should be at the Shack-Up Inn in Clarksdale, MS.  It's an entire compound of row houses (I think made to look like the real thing, unlike Tallahatchie Flats, which are the real thing) plus a cotton gin with rooms in it.  We opted for the cotton gin.

Nice modern rooms, with your own porch and rocker.   This is a neat place.  They'll give you a guitar for your stay if you want one.  They often have "harmonica schools" and live music going on.

There's so much old tin and rusty implements around there that they don't allow children!   How awesome is that?

You don't even need to leave to eat.   They have their own restaurant there, fittingly called "Rust", that serves great "Mississippi food with a twist".   We went for the shrimp grits and blackened Mississippi catfish tacos.   Great.

OVERNIGHT IN THE TALLAHATCHIE FLATS

If you're going to the Delta, you've got two mandatory places you've got to stay.  The first...


Just north of Greenwood is Tallahatchie Flats.   It's up the Money Road heading north out of Greenwood.  Travel about 6 miles outside of town and you're in some of the most awesome cotton/soybean country you'll ever see.  

About a mile or so prior to Tallahatchie Flats, is a little church on your left.  Supposedly...it's the place (one of about 3) that Robert Johnson is buried.  (This is the Delta blues trip.)   Robert Johnson, of course, sold his soul to the devil so that he could play the blues.   

More on Robert later.

If you see the radio station you're almost home...

(Additionally, tune in to AM 960 for some Delta blues.   Our Tallahatchie Flat row house had an old radio and we tuned in some late night blues and it was truly awesome.   You can stream if off the web if you need some right now.)

Tallahatchie Flats consists of little plantation row houses brought in (from plantations!) to serve as a sort of Delta farm bed and breakfast.   Crops out the front door across the road and the Tallahatchie River (of Bobby Gentry's "Ode to Billy Joe" fame) is right out your back door.  

You've got water, bathroom, and A/C, so don't sweat it too much.  Your alarm clock is a crop duster.   Get up early, sit in your porch swing and witness this...

Don't miss the Tallahatchie Flats!