Day 13: Jackson to Vicksburg

The Rundown

High point of the day: We veered off the Great River Road to stay over in Jackson, Miss., and the rich, flavorful Senegalese chicken peanut soup (pictured above) we devour at Steve's Downtown Deli makes each and every extra mile worth it. Steve himself is behind the counter and we learn that he grew up on the Mississippi River in Natchez, Miss. Everyone in the south seems to have a river connection.

Low point of the day: We arrive in Vicksburg and head for the riverfront. There's a fabulous park with a fountain where kids can get wet (pictured above). My son wanders off and finds a fire ant nest. Ouch! We throw him into the fountain to get the little buggers off, but he still ends up with bites all over his body.
Photo of the day: Echos of the Civil War are everywhere in Vicksburg, the site of a 47-day siege in which the Union gained control of the Mississippi River. At the Cedar Grove Mansion restaurant, we find an apple-size cannon ball that has been embedded in the wall ever since Union armies came down the river and blasted cannons at the homes along the banks.

Sound bite of the day: Joe works at the bar at the Cedar Grove Mansion. He makes us a mint julep and then shares the recipe.

Miles: 60
Total miles: 2259
Hours in the car: 1
Total hours in the car: 46
Weather: The further South we go, the hotter it seems to get.

Expenses

• Hotel: $79.99 (Best Western Executive Inn in Jackson, Miss.; lovely outdoor pool)
• Lunch: $27.99 (Steve's Downtown Deli in Jackson)
• Drinks: $10 (Cedar Grove Mansion in Vicksburg)
• Dinner: $30.74 (Rusty's in Vicksburg) Total for the day: $148.72
  Total for the trip: $1903.03