Mississippi Blues Trail - Part 3

 It was a beautiful day, not a cloud in the sky and just perfect for a scooter ride.  We also were looking forward to testing our new Shad top boxes that Eric had installed yesterday on the Honda ADV150 scooters.  Eric had prepared a loop route that would take us north on the Natchez Trace and then to Fulton, MS for the first of three Mississippi Blues Trail (MBT) markers.  Minimal traffic and winding country lanes made the journey pleasant and relaxing.  The Jimmie Lunceford marker was located across from the Itawamba County Courthouse.  You can read more about him here Jimmie Lunceford (Wiki) and listen to him here Rhythm is Our Business.

We found this awesome mural near the marker.

When I realized we were at a County Courthouse I simply had to take this photo and give Mr. Bob Higdon a nod.  This Courthouse is modern architecture and was nice enough but I really like the old courthouses with the columns and arches.  

There was a very nice Veteran's Memorial with an eternal flame on the front corner of the courthouse.

And then, across the street, this law office sign caught my attention.  Hahahahahaha, "Basham" Law.  Almost as funny as Dewey, Cheatem & Howe!

There was a nice park where we found the MBT marker.  

Bandstand, fun sculpture, outstanding playground and several historical plaques.  These copper sculptures were all over the park. Two were large and the rest were little, tiny pieces scattered about the park.

This one has some attitude going on!

The awesome playground!

The bandstand.

Obligatory scooter pictures!  Yes, we really did ride them 😉

We enjoyed our stroll around the park but then it was time to mount up and find the next marker.  Our route took us on many small, rural lanes giving us a great opportunity to discover more of Mississippi.  It was now later in the afternoon and the sun was hanging a bit lower giving us sunlight dappled roads.  Ahhhhhh, so relaxing to cruise along at 45 mph and gawk at the scenery.

After a bit we rolled into Amory, MS and headed for the park.  Hmmmm, no marker.  We rode around the park, still no marker.  However we did find an awesome train engine!

Twice around the park and we still didn't see the MBT marker.  Dang!  So we rode around a few more blocks but still no marker.  We then went back to the park because we noticed a group of folks practicing social distance while visiting on the park band stand.  You won't believe what happened next, lol.  Eric actually stopped and asked the locals where the marker might be.  They had watched us circling the park and I'm sure we were the topic of discussion because on our third lap one of the older gentlemen was coming down the stairs and said something to me.  I think he was asking if we were lost but with the helmet and earplugs I couldn't hear him.  This is when we parked and Eric got off the scooter and walked up to the gentleman.  In his best Mississippi accent (and trust me, Eric can make you a believer!) he  asked the fellow where the MBT marker was.  Of course the gentleman knew and directed us to a small pocket park next to Bill's Hamburgers.

We knew right was that was because we'd been to Bill's before Covid.  Easy, peasy.  Off we went to the pocket park and lo and behold, there was the marker!  Amory, MS

Click the link to listen to Lucille Bogan/Bessie Jackson.

The pocket park has a small bandstand, now nicely decorated for Halloween and autumn.

And a couple of murals.

By now the shadows were getting longer and we debated on whether or not to go for the third marker or just call it a day.  Heck, we were only maybe 15 miles from the next marker, let's go for it!  So we scooted on down the road but for this part of our adventure we stayed on a larger road and pressed the scooters to hold 60 mph.  In no time we were in Aberdeen, MS home of Aberdeen, Mississippi Blues.

A sample from Howlin' Wolf (Chester Arthur Burnett).  A bit long at just over 6 minutes but oh so worth it!

Behind the marker were three murals depicting artists from Aberdeen.

By now it was well into cocktail hour and we weren't home!  No more stops - opps - need gas, hahaha!  We pointed the scooters toward Tupelo, stopped once to fill up the gas tanks and then directly home.  We rode about 85 miles and again I got close to 85 mpg.  Eric got around 71 mpg.  The weather was fantastic and I saw a high temperature of 87.

Neither of us noticed the new Shad top cases.  Eric had put about 10 lbs. in his and mine was empty.  Felt like they weren't there!  No bouncing, no wind resistance, nothing.  They are mounted very solid.  Will likely have a better review after we do an overnight, ride off road, ride in weather, etc.  But, I suspect we'll be happy 😆

Of course when we got home we made cocktails!  Heck it was now just after 6 pm.  We are going to have to start earlier or plan an overnight as the MBT markers closest to us have now been grabbed and blogged.  Sounds like fun to me!

Thanks for following along and stay tuned for the next episode!

Cheers,

Cletha & Eric

#HondaADV150 #ShadUSA #Scooters #ScooterCannonballRun