The Cracker Barrel

The Cracker Barrel is the southern version of Denny's (maybe a bit better). You can find one near most highway exits in the south. So, why am I blogging about a restuarant chain? Well, because of how badly Jonathan wanted to go there. It would seem every time we stopped for a bite or to rest he would suggest that we eat at the Cracker Barrell. While in Tupelo, we were searching for a place to eat lunch, when Jonathan piped up again, "Oh there's a Cracker Barrell!Do you guys want to eat there?"

"Is the food good?" Jim asked.

"No."

Jim and I looked at him baffled and dismayed. We strongly replied that we were not going to eat where we knew the food was no good and opted for a sandwich shop located in the same shopping center.

However, later in our trip, somewhere in North Carolina, when we were all short on money and it was late in the evening, we finally caved into Jonathan's insistent suggestion. The food was actually pretty good. They stuck with their southern flare and the ambience was down-homey. We later found out that Jonathan always stopped with his family at a Cracker Barrell while they were on a roadtrip. This tidbit of info put the puzzle pieces together for us on why Jonathan was so importunate on going to the Southern Denny's. After all, isn't that what a roadtrip is all about? Creating Memories and holding on to family traditions.

Richmond

After eating great BBQ, we headed out to see the rest of the city. We walked through the fan district to view the great monuments erected to the leading Confederate leaders; Davis, Lee, Jackson and Stuart. It was great to see that the city has not hung its head in shame, but rather embraced the daring leaders who defied the Union army.

Afterwards we went to the Confederacy White House where Jefferson Davis resided. One of the interesting stories to come out of our tour was the "Starvation Parties" that use to take place in the House. Instead of a full feast like most wealthy politicians will have even during the hardest of times, The Davis' threw what was called "Starvation Parties" to show they sympathized with the southern soldiers. During the parties they offered mutton and capers, and for refreshments they had water drawn from the James River.

Can you imagine President Bush serving MRE's (Meals ready to eat) to dinner guest in support of our troops, or President elect Obama serving spam to all his Hollywood friends to embrace the middle class who are struggling during this bad economy? Yeah, me neither.

Afterwards we walked around the Shockoe District trying to find a bar and relax. There we found some friendly teenagers who told us of a rockin' club and offered to share with us their Vodka, they had poured into a soft drink cup. We politely said thanks, but no (see my palin reference there ;0)). After awhile of walking cobbled streets we found a nice little place where we could smoke our cigars and have a Guinness.

Overall, Richmond was way a great city to visit, like most of the cities we stopped in, I only wished I had more time to walk around.

JacksonDavis MonumentWe have the same thing in California, but they're Angels
Confederacy White HouseCobbled StreetsWalking near the James River