The Riverside Hotel, Abe's BBQ, Red's Blues Club, Club 2000, and a few other places around Clarksdale, MS

We got here either a little early or a little late - depends on how you look at it I suppose. This was taken close to 7am. I'm thinking we were about 2 hours late. Dang.

Clarksdale has a lot of music history for those interested. Since I'm getting tired, here is some info from wikipedia:

Riverside Hotel, located at 615 Sunflower Avenue, is a historic hotel in Clarksdale, Mississippi in operation since 1944. It was the fourth marker place on the Mississippi Blues Trail. Famed for providing lodging for such blues artists as Sonny Boy Williamson II, Ike Turner, and Robert Nighthawk, it was also where Bessie Smith died in 1937 after her fatal car accident on Highway 61 (then known as the G.T. Thomas Hospital). Ike Turner wrote and rehearsed his song "Rocket 88" here. Robert Nighthawk left his suitcase in his room there just before he died.

Abe's is the place to grab a pulled pork sandwich if you stop in Clarksdale. Well, if the place is open! I learned quickly about Blue Sunday... and then again... Blue Monday... translated to 'many places are not open on Sunday and Monday'.... Unfortunately I did most of my traveling Sunday and all museums and other places of interest are closed. I remember when it was like that most everyplace. I could get all of the fast food I wanted and even go Krogering - but - try to get a tamale or bbq plate and you are out of luck. I was referred to a Mexican restaurant that was packed and the food was very good.

I stopped by here to listen to some music but the place was dead. Tuesday night in the Delta isn't such a great night to party either.

Yes, that is Imitation Elsie sittin' on the smoker.

IE at the birthplace of the king, Tupelo, MS

Imitation Elsie sitting at the feet of the Elvis sculpture.

This is one of many MS Blues Trail Markers that I found. I have to admit that this one was very easy to locate!

Imitation Elsie on the porch.

This is the birthplace of Elvis Presley in Tupelo, MS.

Joanie the Jehovah Witness Stripper - at the Shack Up Inn!

This is another inside view of my Cadillac Shack at the Shack Up Inn. In the spirit of the Ground Zero Blues Club, visitors have written on the walls of the shack. I was reading some of the writing and when I got to a spot above the door.... I KNEW I was supposed to be in this place at this time...

This is written above the front door... a little to the left:

Shack Up Inn, Clarksdale, MS ... wish I had someone to Shack Up with!

Imitation Elsie sittin' on the porch.

Shack Row

The Cotton Gin Inn. To the right is the office, stage, hang-out area. Too the left are newer rooms upper and lower. Top of the line digs at the Shack Up Inn.

Does this bathroom remind any of my blog readers of a bathroom from the past? How about 11271 Bank Road?

Interior view. No feet where you eat. Get off the counter.

Imitation Elsie wasn't so sure about this place. She eventually settled in and is ready to visit again someday.

Imitation Elsie and a few random stops

Oxford, MS... while walking around the square we found this cool water spot for the paws.

Faulkner telling Imitation Elsie a story. After the story, we were off to the City Grocery for a yummy lunch. Best cole slaw ever.

She was thining about following in Robert Johnson's footsteps but quickly reconsidered.

Another dirt road. Seriously. Driving along, minding my own business and all of a sudden the pavement ends. Note to self: Hyundai (sp) is really not an off-road vehicle.

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Just a random photo opp in front of the radio station.

Mississippi Blues Trail

I spent a few days earlier this week traveling around searching for the sites of the great blues men and women of Mississippi. My stops included graveyards, abandoned buildings, historical markers, juke joints, casino row, and empty spaces where 'something used to be' years ago.

I stayed in the Delta region in Clarksdale, MS. I slept in a B&B and an old sharecropper's shack. I drove east to Tupelo and as far south as Belzoni with many stops in between. By the time I return the rental car I will have added 1200 miles to the odometer.

I also spent a few days in Memphis at the Heartbreak Hotel and returned to 2009 by staying at a luxurious Marriott and had a wonderful time at both places. I'm exhausted but am happy to have had the opportunity to make this journey.

There is a lot more to explore in MS and I look forward to a return trip.

I sure do miss that 24 / 7 Elvis movie channel!

Imitation Elsie begins her tour of the Mississippi Delta

Patiently waiting for the National Car Rental bus to arrive. That dang Hertz bus went around and around ...finally, here comes the green bus.
COTTON! Real COTTON! This is all new to imitation Elsie! She feels as if she is full of this right now.

Of course we had to visit the Delta Blues Museum. We were not allowed to take pictures inside though. Weird thing happened inside... flashes were going off here and there and lo and behold there was a group of about 15 Asians snapping away at the artifacts. Every one of them had a camera. (Maria - we immediately thought of you!! Well, we think of you all the time but especially when we saw that group with their Canons!) Not wanting to be mean we didn't mention it to the caretaker but we are very disappointed that there are no pictures of her with the amazing stuff inside.

Here she is outside the Ground Zero Blues Club in Clarksdale, MS.

Snapped just before she put her paw print on the wall.

Just one more pic inside the club.

Getting ready for bed in the Crossroads Room at the Clark B&B in Clarksdale. Check back for more antics! Tomorrow looks to be action-packed.