SC, GA, AL, MS - 4 states in 1 day!!!

  Tupelo, Mississippi, United States
Friday, November 7, 2008

~1150 miles on odometer
Bright blue skies until 8pm, then it started raining
Left the hostel this morning around 9am.  Went to John's Island to see the Angel Oak Tree.  It is about 400 years old, but the myth is it is really 1400 years old!  That sucker is HUGE!  It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen.  I know most of you will think this next statement is bizarre, but there is a definite energy when you are in its presence.  I ended up staying a bit longer than I expected, but enjoyed every minute.  

Angel Oak Tree

I then pulled myself away and drove towards Memphis, passing through Augusta and Atlanta, GA and Birmingham, AL, crossing over my first time zone at some point.  I ate at a Sonic for the first time.  It was alright.  In n Out Burger is still better ;)  I did not get a chance to go into Birmingham.  I wanted to check out the Civil Rights museum and various locations, but that's a whole day in and of itself so no go.  

Now, I must say, that I have a GPS that is sometimes on.  I have still been plotting out my route the "old" way using a map and a pencil.  Well, I was thoroughly dissappointed in the GPS today.  AL decided to build a new road ~ a year ago, or so says the "Roadstop" convenience store patron.  I would have thought that since I purchased a relatively new version it would have updated maps.  Yeah, no.  So I was supposed to follow 78W.  I passed the sign for it but the lady never said to turn.  I gave it a few miles to right itself, to no avail.  So I turned around, because I sure as hell will trust a sign before I fully trust technology ;)  (still a ludite at heart).  Welp, the GPS had no idea where I was.  And it just so happened to be the DARKEST road in all of AL!  And, I was almost out of gas.  Ok, no problem.  I have the shitty GPS that I could look up a gas station.   So I do.  And don't you know that "gas station" has been out of service since 1975!  Grrrr... I am wanting to throw the GPS out the window.  But I don't.  Anywho, I used my honing (sp?) skills and found the "Roadstop" with the counter girl who could give a rats ass about anything but her doritos.  Needless to say, it all worked out.  There are no hostels in AL or Memphis so I am treating myself to a hotel.  It will be nice to get a good night's rest since that loud bass  I mentioned in the last entry, ummm, didn't stop until 3am.  It wasn't the hostel though, it was the neighboring house.  And I think it was just our room that could hear since we were the closest.  

I witnessed one of the most amazing sunsets near Birmingham.  The rays were extremely colorful.  I had to get a photo, even though I was driving.  Please ignore the bug splats on the windshield  The picture does not do  it justice.    

Brilliant Sunset - as seen from the car

I am going to Memphis tomorrow morning to check out some sights, then head to Branson, MO to see some friends.