AARoads Forum

Hi all,

I am planning a road meet in the Jackson/Vicksburg MS area for sometime in early May. I don't recall there being a meet in Mississippi other than the parts of MS we drove through as part of Jason's 2012 Memphis meet. The meet would span four counties. There is a lot of old stuff to look at!

Some of the attractions would include:

- Various old and historic bridges in Jackson, Byram, along old US 80, and at the Mississippi River
- The Ross Barnett Reservoir spillway crossing
- I-55 South of Jackson reconstruction
- MS 25/Lakeland Drive widening
- Viewing the "stack" interchange at I-20/55 North
- Odd gap in County Line Road just west of I-55
- New, decorative bridge along Madison Pkwy over the railroad in downtown Madison
- Checking out downtown Edwards, which is the last scene from "O Brother, Where Art Thou?"

I am thinking either of the first two weekends in early May would be good for my schedule. April doesn't work for me. Vote above to provide your input.

I don't want to conflict with Brandon's Kanakee meet, but it looks like Memorial Day works best for those going to that meet, as of right now.

I voted for the 13th as I have an event on May 6 & 7.  I'm caught between two different ideas for my meet, May 20 or May 27.  I'm leaning toward the 27th as it might be easier on people who attend other meets.

No preference on dates, but I'm definitely interested in this one. The possibility exists for some route clinches here, as well as visiting a number of new counties.

Wish I could make it down. What's the deal with that County Line Road gap anyway? RR dead set against a new grade crossing even if they eliminate the one just north?

Maybe.  Depends on what meets actually happen next year and where I end up deciding to travel.  It's three days each way from here, but I could incorporate a reasonable amount of new interstate mileage, and it would net me a couple new states.

Would depend on what's going on, but I would lean May 6. If baseball or prep of finishing grad school is priority, so it is.

If not, I would like to see some Civil Rights places and Amtrak in MS.

I voted for May 6, but since Brandon has decided to host his Kankakee meet on May 27 (as opposed to the 20th), it's pretty likely that I wouldn't have any issues attending Jackson/Vicksburg if May 13 ends up being the date.

Quote from: vdeane on January 05, 2017, 08:09:30 PM
It's three days each way from here, but I could incorporate a reasonable amount of new interstate mileage, and it would net me a couple new states.

This is ultimately my problem (plus I am still in saving leave for work mode).  I would be interested in going to Vicksburg just for the Civil War stuff.

Quote from: Alps on January 05, 2017, 07:07:30 PM
Wish I could make it down. What's the deal with that County Line Road gap anyway? RR dead set against a new grade crossing even if they eliminate the one just north?

I think it is part RR against new crossing and part money for a bridge. I think ultimately a bridge will be built there, but that bridge would probably also go over State Street too.

Count me in! I love this area...especially old 80 & railroads. Either date will be good for me.

Funny how the first thought for routing isn't necessarily the shortest or fastest. Even though I wouldn't take this route to get to Jackson, my first thought was via Memphis (most would use I-40 from Nashville, but I dislike that route so I'd use the Kentucky parkways and US 51). I ran the directions on Google Maps, and was a bit surprised to find myself routed along I-75, I-59 and I-20. (For the record, I wouldn't take that route either, but I might use US 11 from Meridian on the way home to clinch it in Alabama and then also in Tennessee.

Quote from: codyg1985 on January 06, 2017, 11:32:30 AM

Quote from: Alps on January 05, 2017, 07:07:30 PM
Wish I could make it down. What's the deal with that County Line Road gap anyway? RR dead set against a new grade crossing even if they eliminate the one just north?

I think it is part RR against new crossing and part money for a bridge. I think ultimately a bridge will be built there, but that bridge would probably also go over State Street too.

There's a project to build a bridge in the STIP. It's largely a money thing; also, to some extent, it's an issue where Hinds County would be responsible for paying for a project that largely would benefit Madison County commuters, so it's not a very high priority for Hinds except for folks trying to get over to Tougaloo College and the like.

Not sure if the new MS 475 interchange by the airport (plus nearby roundabout) would be of interest to those attending; not terribly out of the way if you're going out Lakeland Drive anyway. There's also the East Metro Parkway running east of the airport to the middle of nowhere (I guess the idea is eventually to tie into MS 18 at I-20), and the combination of the Nissan Pkwy/Canton Pkwy up near Canton. And of course you have the rare example of Texas-style frontage roads somewhere outside of Texas along I-55.

Might or might not be able to make it over depending on the date.

My vote is for 5/13, the weekend before is a toy show weekend, if Steph can get Sunday off she will probably come along too, I would have the chance at some new counties and a parrish and some more I-20 mileage.

Cody:  unless you skip the lunch and start in the morning, what you propose is an awful lot to try and cram into a meet timeframe, especially given the distance between Vicksburg and the reservoir.  I'd try to focus on one or two of those themes, but not all.

For those who mention wanting to take in the history stuff, I would recommend allocating no less than 3 hours in order to fully appreciate the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Quote from: froggie on January 06, 2017, 10:49:01 PM
Cody:  unless you skip the lunch and start in the morning, what you propose is an awful lot to try and cram into a meet timeframe, especially given the distance between Vicksburg and the reservoir.  I'd try to focus on one or two of those themes, but not all.

For those who mention wanting to take in the history stuff, I would recommend allocating no less than 3 hours in order to fully appreciate the Vicksburg National Military Park.

Depending on how timing works after I do a quick and dirty itinerary, I may drop a few things from the tour.

Quote from: lordsutch on January 06, 2017, 09:15:50 PM
Not sure if the new MS 475 interchange by the airport (plus nearby roundabout) would be of interest to those attending; not terribly out of the way if you're going out Lakeland Drive anyway. There's also the East Metro Parkway running east of the airport to the middle of nowhere (I guess the idea is eventually to tie into MS 18 at I-20), and the combination of the Nissan Pkwy/Canton Pkwy up near Canton. And of course you have the rare example of Texas-style frontage roads somewhere outside of Texas along I-55.

I will definitely keep those in mind. A lot of it is going to depend on which route I come up with for the tour.

Casting a vote for May 13. I have a traffic management plan class scheduled for Thursday, May 4, and since I would be using that as a getaway or travel day, I probably won't be able to attend on the 6th.

Right now I am leaning towards May 13th.

I have selected a date: May 13th. Facebook event coming shortly.

Here is the DRAFT itinerary (https://www.dropbox.com/s/zobdycn2ztqxd6r/DRAFT%202017%20Jackson%20Vicksburg%20Road%20Meet%20Itinerary.docx?dl=0) for the meet. Based on feedback, I may edit this a bit.

- Unless you rush people through lunch, you're probably not going to be on the road at 12:30.  I'd bank closer to 1pm, especially if you wind up with a decent crowd (i.e. ~10 or more).

- Unless you have a pressing reason to drop down US 51 from the first stop (which, BTW, would net VERY LITTLE clinched mileage the way we have TM set up), it'd just be simpler to cross over US 51 on Main St to get to Old Canton Rd (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.4618933,-90.1149965/32.4498965,-90.1064324/@32.4553788,-90.1134004,1632m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1081804!2d32.4602976!3s0x8629d1772e553665:0xd522de4fbc529ac5!1m0!3e0).  Certainly simpler than heading down US 51 to St. Augustine as there's fewer turns and no backtracking (as US 51 heads southwest instead of due south).

- If clinching is needed/desired by enough people, you could take US 80 between 475 and Flying J instead of dropping down to I-20.  It's not much of a time difference.

- I have to question the usefulness of Stop #4.  I get the intent, but the problem with The Stack is there just aren't any good places where one can stop to get a good look at it.  And your proposed stop is pretty dangerous if anyone is attempting to walk along US 80 because of high traffic speeds and the lack of a shoulder or sidewalk to walk on.  I'd suggest eliminating that stop and instead find a way for tour-goers to drive through The Stack a couple times.  You pretty much already have two opportunities...one at the end on the way back to the restaurant.  The second opportunity you could put in, in lieu of Stop #4, is to get back on I-20 from the Flying J pit stop enroute to Stop #5.

If there's a goal here to drive the US 51 Spur freeway, that can easily be incorporated into my suggestion by exiting at Exit 45B, then making a U-turn at Rankin St. (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Flying+J/32.267462,-90.2101897/@32.2762664,-90.1985363,4202m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m19!4m18!1m15!1m1!1s0x0:0x5173b7a05af8c5f0!2m2!1d-90.160491!2d32.277096!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1857312!2d32.2791367!3s0x86283232fa74f58f:0x1900ec6cb180d920!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1829468!2d32.2856771!3s0x86283235ce67c249:0x1b0a8a52a2dc1e40!1m0!3e0)

- Another alternative to the above that would leave out The Stack but include driving on the OLD US route approaches into Jackson (and the associated bridges) is such:  from Flying J, head south on US 49.  Hop onto the frontage road just before Old Hwy 49 merges on and use the frontage road to get onto Old Hwy 49 going northbound.  A little before crossing under I-20, there's a split on Old Hwy 49 (basically US 49 Version #1 and Version #2, with current US 49 being "Version #3").  At Vaughn Dr, turn right to get to Old Hwy 49 #1 (there's also a brief view of The Stack from the end of Vaughn Dr if desired).  Take this road underneath I-20, then underneath both US 80 and the rail tracks (crossing under both in a "stack-like" bridge structure) to Old Brandon Rd, which is the old (pre-1940s-ish) US 80 Pearl River crossing.  There's a pull-off on the right just before the bridge (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2883715,-90.1763947,158m/data=!3m1!1e3) with an even older bridge abutment sticking out from it.  From this path, you can turn left on State St to get to the US 51 freeway spur and south on I-55 towards Byram.  Here's a rough map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Flying+J/32.2873054,-90.1827061/@32.2656507,-90.1806142,7051m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m24!4m23!1m20!1m1!1s0x0:0x5173b7a05af8c5f0!2m2!1d-90.160491!2d32.277096!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1626513!2d32.2497343!3s0x862831eebdfdc2df:0x4499b0489c281caa!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1710878!2d32.2490426!3s0x8628319486e89f67:0xc994ee4ca8509dd3!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1675672!2d32.2784992!3s0x86283217c5897999:0xd511c2b6804c49fa!1m0!3e0) of this idea.

- Given the length of the tour and the comments of some about it's length, you may want to consider taking the group photo at the Byram Swinging Bridge instead of in Vicksburg.

- To be safe, I'd plan on an extra 5 minutes between Stop #5 and Stop #6.

Quote from: froggie on January 30, 2017, 02:30:17 PM
- Unless you rush people through lunch, you're probably not going to be on the road at 12:30.  I'd bank closer to 1pm, especially if you wind up with a decent crowd (i.e. ~10 or more).

- Unless you have a pressing reason to drop down US 51 from the first stop (which, BTW, would net VERY LITTLE clinched mileage the way we have TM set up), it'd just be simpler to cross over US 51 on Main St to get to Old Canton Rd (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.4618933,-90.1149965/32.4498965,-90.1064324/@32.4553788,-90.1134004,1632m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1081804!2d32.4602976!3s0x8629d1772e553665:0xd522de4fbc529ac5!1m0!3e0).  Certainly simpler than heading down US 51 to St. Augustine as there's fewer turns and no backtracking (as US 51 heads southwest instead of due south).

- If clinching is needed/desired by enough people, you could take US 80 between 475 and Flying J instead of dropping down to I-20.  It's not much of a time difference.

- I have to question the usefulness of Stop #4.  I get the intent, but the problem with The Stack is there just aren't any good places where one can stop to get a good look at it.  And your proposed stop is pretty dangerous if anyone is attempting to walk along US 80 because of high traffic speeds and the lack of a shoulder or sidewalk to walk on.  I'd suggest eliminating that stop and instead find a way for tour-goers to drive through The Stack a couple times.  You pretty much already have two opportunities...one at the end on the way back to the restaurant.  The second opportunity you could put in, in lieu of Stop #4, is to get back on I-20 from the Flying J pit stop enroute to Stop #5.

If there's a goal here to drive the US 51 Spur freeway, that can easily be incorporated into my suggestion by exiting at Exit 45B, then making a U-turn at Rankin St. (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Flying+J/32.267462,-90.2101897/@32.2762664,-90.1985363,4202m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m19!4m18!1m15!1m1!1s0x0:0x5173b7a05af8c5f0!2m2!1d-90.160491!2d32.277096!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1857312!2d32.2791367!3s0x86283232fa74f58f:0x1900ec6cb180d920!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1829468!2d32.2856771!3s0x86283235ce67c249:0x1b0a8a52a2dc1e40!1m0!3e0)

- Another alternative to the above that would leave out The Stack but include driving on the OLD US route approaches into Jackson (and the associated bridges) is such:  from Flying J, head south on US 49.  Hop onto the frontage road just before Old Hwy 49 merges on and use the frontage road to get onto Old Hwy 49 going northbound.  A little before crossing under I-20, there's a split on Old Hwy 49 (basically US 49 Version #1 and Version #2, with current US 49 being "Version #3").  At Vaughn Dr, turn right to get to Old Hwy 49 #1 (there's also a brief view of The Stack from the end of Vaughn Dr if desired).  Take this road underneath I-20, then underneath both US 80 and the rail tracks (crossing under both in a "stack-like" bridge structure) to Old Brandon Rd, which is the old (pre-1940s-ish) US 80 Pearl River crossing.  There's a pull-off on the right just before the bridge (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2883715,-90.1763947,158m/data=!3m1!1e3) with an even older bridge abutment sticking out from it.  From this path, you can turn left on State St to get to the US 51 freeway spur and south on I-55 towards Byram.  Here's a rough map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Flying+J/32.2873054,-90.1827061/@32.2656507,-90.1806142,7051m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m24!4m23!1m20!1m1!1s0x0:0x5173b7a05af8c5f0!2m2!1d-90.160491!2d32.277096!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1626513!2d32.2497343!3s0x862831eebdfdc2df:0x4499b0489c281caa!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1710878!2d32.2490426!3s0x8628319486e89f67:0xc994ee4ca8509dd3!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1675672!2d32.2784992!3s0x86283217c5897999:0xd511c2b6804c49fa!1m0!3e0) of this idea.

- Given the length of the tour and the comments of some about it's length, you may want to consider taking the group photo at the Byram Swinging Bridge instead of in Vicksburg.

- To be safe, I'd plan on an extra 5 minutes between Stop #5 and Stop #6.

Old 49 passes under the old ICRR and US 80. Area also floods a lot.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2287/2345153611_eaeb76029b_d.jpg)

Quote from: froggie on January 30, 2017, 02:30:17 PM
- Unless you rush people through lunch, you're probably not going to be on the road at 12:30.  I'd bank closer to 1pm, especially if you wind up with a decent crowd (i.e. ~10 or more).

- Unless you have a pressing reason to drop down US 51 from the first stop (which, BTW, would net VERY LITTLE clinched mileage the way we have TM set up), it'd just be simpler to cross over US 51 on Main St to get to Old Canton Rd (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/32.4618933,-90.1149965/32.4498965,-90.1064324/@32.4553788,-90.1134004,1632m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m9!4m8!1m5!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1081804!2d32.4602976!3s0x8629d1772e553665:0xd522de4fbc529ac5!1m0!3e0).  Certainly simpler than heading down US 51 to St. Augustine as there's fewer turns and no backtracking (as US 51 heads southwest instead of due south).

- If clinching is needed/desired by enough people, you could take US 80 between 475 and Flying J instead of dropping down to I-20.  It's not much of a time difference.

- I have to question the usefulness of Stop #4.  I get the intent, but the problem with The Stack is there just aren't any good places where one can stop to get a good look at it.  And your proposed stop is pretty dangerous if anyone is attempting to walk along US 80 because of high traffic speeds and the lack of a shoulder or sidewalk to walk on.  I'd suggest eliminating that stop and instead find a way for tour-goers to drive through The Stack a couple times.  You pretty much already have two opportunities...one at the end on the way back to the restaurant.  The second opportunity you could put in, in lieu of Stop #4, is to get back on I-20 from the Flying J pit stop enroute to Stop #5.

If there's a goal here to drive the US 51 Spur freeway, that can easily be incorporated into my suggestion by exiting at Exit 45B, then making a U-turn at Rankin St. (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Flying+J/32.267462,-90.2101897/@32.2762664,-90.1985363,4202m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m19!4m18!1m15!1m1!1s0x0:0x5173b7a05af8c5f0!2m2!1d-90.160491!2d32.277096!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1857312!2d32.2791367!3s0x86283232fa74f58f:0x1900ec6cb180d920!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1829468!2d32.2856771!3s0x86283235ce67c249:0x1b0a8a52a2dc1e40!1m0!3e0)

- Another alternative to the above that would leave out The Stack but include driving on the OLD US route approaches into Jackson (and the associated bridges) is such:  from Flying J, head south on US 49.  Hop onto the frontage road just before Old Hwy 49 merges on and use the frontage road to get onto Old Hwy 49 going northbound.  A little before crossing under I-20, there's a split on Old Hwy 49 (basically US 49 Version #1 and Version #2, with current US 49 being "Version #3").  At Vaughn Dr, turn right to get to Old Hwy 49 #1 (there's also a brief view of The Stack from the end of Vaughn Dr if desired).  Take this road underneath I-20, then underneath both US 80 and the rail tracks (crossing under both in a "stack-like" bridge structure) to Old Brandon Rd, which is the old (pre-1940s-ish) US 80 Pearl River crossing.  There's a pull-off on the right just before the bridge (https://www.google.com/maps/@32.2883715,-90.1763947,158m/data=!3m1!1e3) with an even older bridge abutment sticking out from it.  From this path, you can turn left on State St to get to the US 51 freeway spur and south on I-55 towards Byram.  Here's a rough map (https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Flying+J/32.2873054,-90.1827061/@32.2656507,-90.1806142,7051m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m24!4m23!1m20!1m1!1s0x0:0x5173b7a05af8c5f0!2m2!1d-90.160491!2d32.277096!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1626513!2d32.2497343!3s0x862831eebdfdc2df:0x4499b0489c281caa!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1710878!2d32.2490426!3s0x8628319486e89f67:0xc994ee4ca8509dd3!3m4!1m2!1d-90.1675672!2d32.2784992!3s0x86283217c5897999:0xd511c2b6804c49fa!1m0!3e0) of this idea.

- Given the length of the tour and the comments of some about it's length, you may want to consider taking the group photo at the Byram Swinging Bridge instead of in Vicksburg.

- To be safe, I'd plan on an extra 5 minutes between Stop #5 and Stop #6.

Thanks for your feedback. Originally, I was actually thinking of having the tour pass under the "double bridge" under the railroad and US 80 and then stopping at the Old Brandon Rd bridge, but I figured the view of the Stack at the junk yard would be better. Based on your feedback, I will adjust my route accordingly.

After looking at the itinerary, I am having second thoughts. A tour lasting 6 1/2 hours is just a bit much -- actually, it's way too much -- for me. If I come, I will probably forego the trip out to Vicksburg and bail out after the last Jackson-area stop.

Steph and I are maybe's for now but I am thinking this will change to going as we get closer and nothing else comes up

I have updated the itinerary based on feedback from H.B. and Froggie. For those worried about the length of the tour, I have moved the group photo to the Byram Swinging Bridge. Other changes:
- I removed the stop at the bridge in Madison, MS
- I added a stop at the Ross Barnett Resevoir overlook on the Natchez Trace Pkwy
- Removed stop for "The Stack" and added stop for Old Brandon Road bridge over Pearl River.
https://www.dropbox.com/s/q1yq3uaz3xrbgef/2nd%20DRAFT%202017%20Jackson%20Vicksburg%20Road%20Meet%20Itinerary.docx?dl=0

Looks like Steph and I are in, she got the Sunday off, we will be driving down Friday, take a side trip off I-20/59 to grab a county I need north of Meridian then plan to stay in Jackson Fri and Sat night. Looking forward to it! :cool:

Quotetake a side trip off I-20/59 to grab a county I need north of Meridian

For that one, I would suggest exiting 20/59 at Eutaw (AL 14/Exit 40) and taking an AL 14/AL 39/AL 116/AL 17/CR 30/MS 16/US 45 routing.  Minimizes the northward backtracking involved, especially since there's little in the way of good roads northeast of Lauderdale (I know from personal experience...was stationed at NAS Meridian).

Quote from: froggie on March 23, 2017, 10:41:21 AM

Quotetake a side trip off I-20/59 to grab a county I need north of Meridian

For that one, I would suggest exiting 20/59 at Eutaw (AL 14/Exit 40) and taking an AL 14/AL 39/AL 116/AL 17/CR 30/MS 16/US 45 routing.  Minimizes the northward backtracking involved, especially since there's little in the way of good roads northeast of Lauderdale (I know from personal experience...was stationed at NAS Meridian).

Thanks for the tip, I figured there was some kind of "short cut " I could take off 20/59 and I already have 20/59 clinched in the area from back in July 2013 so I would not be missing anything.

Quote from: jpi on March 23, 2017, 11:27:11 AM

Quote from: froggie on March 23, 2017, 10:41:21 AM

Quotetake a side trip off I-20/59 to grab a county I need north of Meridian

For that one, I would suggest exiting 20/59 at Eutaw (AL 14/Exit 40) and taking an AL 14/AL 39/AL 116/AL 17/CR 30/MS 16/US 45 routing.  Minimizes the northward backtracking involved, especially since there's little in the way of good roads northeast of Lauderdale (I know from personal experience...was stationed at NAS Meridian).

Thanks for the tip, I figured there was some kind of "short cut " I could take off 20/59 and I already have 20/59 clinched in the area from back in July 2013 so I would not be missing anything.

Beware of the orange barrels...there are plenty of them to dodge between Birmingham & Jackson on I-20/59.

My wife will be with me for this meet as well. This will be her first meet...bless her heart.  :rofl:  :pan:

Officially out of this one. Even if I hadn't exhausted all my leave time due to my recent illness and hospitalization, I'm not sure that I would be able to take a trip of such length. Just going to Frankfort for a meeting yesterday was a chore. I hate to miss this one, because I had plans to collect a bunch of Mississippi counties, but that's the breaks.

Count me as "probable", depending on the outcome of a visit to my eye surgeon next week. I hope that confirms that recovery from my February left eye cataract surgery is complete, and that I won't need any additional surgery (such as removing the cataract in my right eye) right away.

If there's a Facebook event for this meet (a link hasn't been posted), non-FB users like me probably won't be able to view most of whatever is on the event page. So please let me know, such as here, about major changes like which restaurant we'll have lunch at.

My tentative plan is to meander down to Jackson, including a clinch of the entire Natchez Trace Parkway. There seems to be an NTP segment in Tennessee closed for construction, but I drove that part three decades ago. I'll probably take three or four days on the way down there (via Charleston SC, and building extra time to deal with the mess in Atlanta), and two or three days to get back home.

So far there haven't been any changes from what has been posted on here.

I still need to finalize the itinerary, but I don't anticipate it being any different other than tidying it up.

This might be a possibility, but it is a bit further than I think I can reasonably travel without taking time off work.  My wife and I were possibly planning a road trip this weekend; maybe we can push it off to next to do this one.  I'll check the itinerary and see.

I'm good to go, my eye surgeon agrees no more surgery until this fall.

It will be good to see everyone!

Looking now like I may not make it. Hoping for a last-minute break. :(

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to make it; I have an all-day orientation meeting that Saturday for my students going on a study abroad program in July. Hopefully next time...

Anyone planning on driving themselves along the tour? Right now it looks like there will be nine people on the tour. Oscar as well as Jess from the 2014 Jasper meet will be along for the tour, and possibly my wife. That is a total of nine people.

There will be a chance to bail for those that don't want to do the Vicksburg portion of the tour (after the Byram stop).

There are plans for an optional drive across the state line at the end of the Vicksburg portion into Louisiana for those who haven't been to Louisiana and then to try a drive thru daiquiri.

As mentioned on FB, Steph and I are staying in Jackson Friday night and Saturday night so I am wide open for anything, Steph will probably do her thing while we are on our tour so more then likely I will be car pooling with someone

Likewise, I'll be in Jackson both nights.  However, I am planning a quick excursion to Louisiana that Saturday morning for the welcome center and then along a part of the Natchez Trace Parkway.  Otherwise, I have all Saturday.  :cool:

Quote from: codyg1985 on May 09, 2017, 08:16:37 AM

There are plans for an optional drive across the state line at the end of the Vicksburg portion into Louisiana for those who haven't been to Louisiana and then to try a drive thru daiquiri.

Be careful with the daiquiri option. They tape a wrapped straw to your cup. If the straw or its paper is comprised,  it becomes an open container.

Here is a link (https://www.dropbox.com/s/20hhypprctnpuqy/FINAL%202017%20Jackson%20Vicksburg%20Road%20Meet%20Itinerary.docx?dl=0) to the final version of the itinerary. Not much has changed since the previous draft except for adding the note about the optional trip into Louisiana after the last stop.

Here are my pictures from yesterday's meet. Enjoy.

https://flic.kr/s/aHskZAtXqL

Here are the best three of my attempts at a meet photo, on the Bryan Swinging Bridge south of Jackson MS. The first and the last shots had the more pleasing exposures, but they are both missing a different member of the group. The middle one is rather overexposed (though not as horribly as I first thought), but has all eleven people in the group.

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alaskaroads.com%2FMSmeet-group1-DSC_4562.jpg&hash=b784c515965502418bdfc2abcff2a150f4d1928b)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alaskaroads.com%2FMSmeet-group4-DSC_4565.jpg&hash=6e851774d0f5d9ddff69a6dab5372ad6bf3c4ca7)

(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.alaskaroads.com%2FMSmeet-group6-DSC_4567.jpg&hash=a12f1a4282be2622157b3ed7f307228d2963f8c7)

Attendees (in the middle photo, from left to right):  Oscar; Brandon; David; Cody (meet organizer) and Katie, both in front of A.J.; Steph and Jason, both in front of Sam; and Jess and Margie.

The bridge is known for young couples attaching padlocks to the railings to symbolize everlasting love, and often throwing the keys into the river (the more cautious ones used combination locks, so if they broke up they could at least recover their locks). Other meet attendees took pictures of the locks, and I hope one of those photos can be posted here.

I'm still catching up, after limping home Thursday evening from a sidewinding return trip. More on that to follow in a separate trip report (https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=20341.msg2229303#msg2229303).

Many thanks to Cody for arranging this cool meet!

Here you go Oscar. This is one that caught Margie's eye:

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4169/33834492923_a1c54e0e0e.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/TxQBYg)SAM_1659 (https://flic.kr/p/TxQBYg) by Jess Kilgore (https://www.flickr.com/photos/130771900@N08/), on Flickr