More Meridian, MS

First, a couple pix of our current camp in Meridian. The sign doesn't look like much, but the park is Good Sam anointed and a good place to stay for a few days.

We got an early start this morning, Sunday, and headed for the Gristmill about 20 minutes away. Somehow, a cellphone GPS isn't always as smart as you think it is, and we took a wrong turn. We ended up exploring a 4-wheel drive-only road that took us down into the river canyon where, we determined a little later, the water from the mill drained to.

So, 4-wheeling back out of the canyon (4-wheel high; no sweat), we returned to the 1-lane paved road we turned off from and discovered the "real" entrance to the mill was a 100 yards further ... around the corner! Adventure!

The mill is an interesting POI amid beautiful surroundings, a pond, and hiking trails. Unfortunately, it is also in need of some restoration before it all slides down the mountain into the river. We tread very carefully on the old wooden flooring inside the mill, stepping on floor joists rather than between them ... creak, groan, crack ... we pressed on, ignoring the sign that stated, "You are responsible for any injury". Not kidding!!

Louise remarked, "If walls could talk ... imagine the sights and sounds of this place long ago." Leaving the mill unscathed, we headed down the multiple flights of stairs to the river below to take some pictures of the falls itself, and the lower workings of the huge wheel that propelled the mill in its day. A picture of one of the pond's inhabitants above is also included.

Next on our list of things to do in Meridian was the Dentzel Carousel in Highland Park, about 10 minutes back towards the City itself. Highland Park turned out to be a huge public park with freshly-mowed lawn, playgrounds, and other summer-fun activity potential, like a complete steam engine with coal car and connected caboose.

The place was abandon ... not a single fun-loving resident in sight; only a couple maintenance workers wrenching on a sprinkler or something. And, the beautiful carousel, housed in a single building in the park ... was closed! I managed a few pictures through the dirty glass, and one of a carousel horse in the playground. Note: there are at least 60 of these horses placed all around the city at various points ... very cool, indeed.

Of course, we couldn't leave Meridian without mention of one of its famous native son's, country blues and folk singer, and actor, Jimmy Rodgers (1897 to 1933). There are streets and buildings, an annual festival in his honor, a museum, and probably a sandwich at the local deli named after him.

After running away from home, he joined a traveling medicine show ... a combination of entertainment and live commercials for mostly useless and often dangerous medical remedies.

His father caught up with him (a second time) and gave him the choice of going to school or working on the railroad. Jimmy chose the railroad and worked as a brakeman for 10 years, learning to play the banjo, ukulele, and guitar, and picking up songs from others who traveled along the way. This earned him the title of, "The Singing Brakeman". Jimmy Rodgers was the first country musician to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

One last thing ... Louise wanted you to see this picture of one of the local places to eat. Note: teeth need not be required!