Celebrating a Birthday for Three Days is a Good Idea

Saturday there was no snow. What we did have, though, were cold temperatures, a right airish breeze, and brilliant blue skies. In other words, the perfect day for a little road trip.

You know those? Where you get in the car and head out, a vague idea of where you might like to go and what you might like to see? It was that kind of thing.

Our first stop was my old stomping grounds.



Parts of Belzoni may not be particularly picturesque -



although I'd argue they have a certain charm.

(actual, un-retouched photo)
Seriously. Where else are you going to see something like that?

Other parts, like Wister Gardens, are too pretty for words, even in the middle of January.

One can't say they have properly seen Belzoni without a walking tour of the downtown area and its resident catfish on parade.

They decorate all corners of the little town.
This one is Ag Cat. (Get it? AG CAT? Never mind.)

The wind was seriously, blowing like crazy and straight out of the north.

But look at those blue skies.

A trip to Belzoni isn't complete without a stop at the Cafish Capitol musuem.

Although it'd help if it were actually open on Saturdays.

Thankfully, the musuem grounds have cool stuff.

This? I could try to explain but would end up really confusing you.

Here:



This sculpture greets visitors as they arrive.
Catches the eye, right? For reasons I'm unclear about, his little pond has been drained. He looks a bit embarrassed out there in the open.



Next we traveled west (northwest? I don't know) along Highway 12 to Hollandale, a small town in Washington County. If I knew east from west, I could tell you at which end of the county it is. I think it may be the south part, but then again, I don't know.

Like too many other small towns across the Delta, across Mississippi, across the south, across the country, its downtown area isn't what it used to be.



We rode through town, following Deer Creek for a stretch, saw the sights, had a good visit. We already have a list of places to visit and revisit.

Saturday night at dinner one of the two of our party, the one who may or may not be from Humphreys County, may or may not have ordered, at an Italian restaurant, an entree that consisted in part of fried catfish. Although it was covered in a divine crawfish sauce and was so good. I mean, if that in fact took place.

Later, after debating the merits of various desserts from blackberry cobbler to homemade peach ice cream to creme brulee, I said that red velvet cake is my favorite dessert.

Minutes later, no kidding, I had a yummy wedge of red velvet cake, a birthday cake, mind you.

Hard to beat that after the wonderful day.

The fun didn't stop, even on the drive home Sunday.