So I did my planning mojo and found places to stay  coming, staying, anf going.  Figured out all the high points for us. We decided to add Clarksdale, MS to the route.  Clarksdale is he undisputed home of the blues.  So I made reservations at the recommended place to stay there.  Cute!

Yesterday was our first day on the road.  Sadly, we started it off with a vistation for a friend.  One of the guys on Rich’s bowling team passed away of a heart attack earlier in the week.  Bowling on Friday night was a little somber.  We went by the church before the service to pay our respects.  It’s a little scary to think about since he was only a year older than Rich.  Our condolences and prayers go out to Les’ family.

So to continue our road trip, we drove out of Chicago on Interstate 55.  The snow slowly receded and the temps went up a little.  It was a nice drive.  We had planned to stop in Cape Girardeau MO for the night. The town has grown!  After getting settled into the hotel, we started out to find a brewpub.  Rich had eaten at one several years ago coming back from a visit to a friend stationed in Columbus MS.  He was hoping it was still open.

Yep, it was still here.  Buckner’s Brewpub was downtown on the river.  We found it it without too many problems. Even found a parking lot right next door.  We went down to the river first.  That’s the mighty Mississippi River.  It was beautiful in the dark with a verynice spanning bridge over the river. Murals graced the flood walls that kept the river on the right side of town.  They were pretty cool.  So then, we went into Buckner’s.

We could decide what the building had been.  I think it was an old warehouse and office for unloading and loading on the river.  It was a great building for a brewpub.  We were seated and ordered up our drinks.  I had their own specially brewed root beer and Rich had one of their seasonal beers.  As we are sipping, we realize we are surrounded by pre-teen girls in makeup, tight dresses, stockings and high heels.  Another pre-teen event in a brewpub.  Rich was flashing back to a similar happing for a Katy Perry concert in Louisville! No pink or blue hair this time.  The waitress confirmed there was a school dance.  They allwanted a separate bill and to pay in cash.  We assured the waitress we would be on the same bill.

We ordered up fried pickles (dill or course), toasted ravioli, mushroom burger, crab cake sliders, and another round of drinks.  Rich swears that Buckner’s have the best fried pickles anywhere.  He’s been trying them everywhere too.  So maybe he should know.  I forced myself to try one.  I really have a hard time with the taste of dill, but the breading was awesome.  The raviolis were tasty too.  Rich’s first beer was made with raisins.  It was more a fruity and dry flavor than Rich prefers, but the pale ale on the second round was more to his liking.  As he said, when he can drink a beer where he has to strain the hops through his teeth, that’s a beer!

So today, we are waking up to clouds and a warm Southern breakfast.  Then on to Memphis.  Last night, Rich tells me that people here have an accent.   Do you think, dear?  You are in the land where they speak a little differently.  wait’ll he goes to Mississippi! I just love spelling that word.