Day 98 - Football at Flying J Truckstop, Pearl, MS

Sunday, December 5, 2010

I had a good night last night, but the slight coolness that was with me when I went to sleep turned into "coldness". There was quite a change during the night, but I was expecting it sometime soon, so not surprised. I took down the tent, packed everything, and headed out by 645. Stopped at a local store for a few supplies, and headed down old Hwy 80 (new 80 merged with I-20 some miles back). The convenience store owner told me there was a restaurant about 5-10 minutes down the road, so I figured I could get breakfast there. Then I remembered that is 1.5 - 3 hours for me! My destination today? No place in particular, just moving east.

My route today takes me down the old 80 frontage road all the way to Clinton. Then I cross to the other side of I-20, and get on East 80 for most of Mississippi. The frontage road is rolling, but a nice road with very little traffic. I-20 is within 50yds north of me, the railroad just south. It's a nice day, sunny and cool........high maybe in the 50's. I can verify there are armadillos in MS......or at least there was one. After several hours I came to Raymond Rd, took a left, and was back on East 80 in Clinton. I passed Mississippi College along the way. Still no breakfast, so I stopped at Subway to eat, and used their facilities to charge some batteries. I stayed there until around noon, and back to walking.

East 80 runs south the cities of Clinton and Jackson, so I saw very little of either. I did see a "sit down" Sonic......think it's the first I've seen. Speaking of Sonic, many of the small towns in Texas will have a Sonic and no other fast food. I assumed maybe Sonic had a lowed start up cost due to no indoor seating? I crossed the Pearl River into the community of Pearl, but didn't see much of a community. I did have a good view of downtown Jackson from the bridge. I stopped to rest for a few minutes, and noticed the wind has changed, and now coming from the North. I walked a little further and spotted a Flying J Truck Stop ahead. there were also several nice grassy areas for camping. So I decided to cut the day short, and stop there.

I went in, walked back to the driver's lounge, and of all things, there is a big screen TV and the Cowboy's game has just started. There were lots of drivers in the lounge, some coming and going, others there for the whole game. If you want to have some cheap fun, watch a football game in a place like this. Most of the drivers were Colt's fans, a couple and myself pulling for the Cowboys......who won in OT. A great game and good company.

But now it's dark and really cold outside, and I still have to go out and put up the tent. Or maybe I'll watch the Steeler's game, and then a movie, and catch a few winks, and just not go outside at all. Guess we'll know on tomorrow's post.

About the pictures:
The state food of MS.
Downtown Jackson, MS, from the Pearl River Bridge.