B-Word's Food and Travel Ramblings: Lead in to Natchez Trace Road Trip '09

Thus begins THE BLOG:

Road Trip '09: Drive the Natchez Trace from Natchez, MS till it ends just South of Nashville, TN. I've been on parts, but never drove the whole thing in one shot. Figured after the first 30 miles of pine trees, I'd be screaming to get off, but the exact opposite occurred. When we got off the Trace, we were ready to get back on. As the end came close, we didn't want it to end.

First night in Natchez was planned, but after that it we were winging it and it worked out well. We had all day to get nowhere in particular. Rules of engagement allowed no major chain restaurants. We went 3rd week in September and there was no one along the whole route. We had the waterfalls all to ourselves. Another 3 weeks, and I think the tree colors would be beginning to look good. Sometimes I'll take green trees with no people.

Enroute to the Trace Meals:

Ebro Cafe - Ebro, FL. Location - Dont' worry, if you're in Ebro, you'll see it. Figured we'd go ahead and get a good coating on the aorta so it wouldn't be in shock when we hit the Trace, so we dove right in. A classic meat and 3 for lunch at a price of $5.95. I went with fried mullet. Not everybody does good mullet, but they do. Pork chops, etc., all nicely fried. Good veggies stewed in appropriate amounts of meat. They have wildlife managment area maps on the wall and fish mounted on the wall, so it's my kind of place.

Next stop enroute to the Trace was the Southern Fried Rabbit in Columbia, MS. Wow, what a find. This set the bar high for the rest of the trip. (Columbia is also home to Pioneer Aerospace, maker of most of the parachutes for the military and NASA. If you ask nicely, they might give you a tour.)

3 picnic tables provides your choice of seating outside. And it's not just a cutsie name. THEY

HAVE RABBIT! Beautiful rabbit. I naturally went for the rabbit plate. Great rabbit. Wife went for the Chili-cheese burger (top 5 ever - her rating). Feast your eyes...