siena1

I'll let you know how things go! We'll be leaving in late May, so expect an update after that.

As for Mississippi, I just have this idea of what it will be like and I'm very curious to see how that compares to the real thing. We'll see...

We'll make sure to avoid rush hour in Nashville!

AnnMarie_C

I'm with ya, siena, sometimes I just want to see for myself! Been to Birmingham a couple of times--the surrounding country side is beautiful. Did you find a place to live in SA? The market there has steadied / slowed so I hope you found a great deal. Enjoy a safe trip!

siena1

AnnMarie--We've decided to rent a house until we can sell our home in Ohio (who knows how long that will take). We're heading down to San Antonio in a few weeks to look.

Thanks again, everyone!

siena1

Sorry to revive this thread again, but I have yet ANOTHER question!

What is Meridian, MS like? Would this be a good spending-the-night town?

Thanks.

SAnParis2

Although having been through there, I don't recall any reason to stop there (or we likely would have stopped), I'd still opt for Jackson or Natchez or even Vicksburg. I'm guessing you are thinking of 20 to 59, but 55 would not be that far out of your way. Probably only about 10-15 minutes difference.

SAnParis2

Its only 11 miles more to go via Jackson (or so my little mapping device says). A bit farther if you go on to Vicksburg or Natchez, of course.

siena1

I was thinking that 59 to 12 might be faster than 55 to 10/12. The extra 11 miles might be worth it though to stay in Jackson.

As for Natchez and/or Vicksburg, I'd love to make it that far, but I think that might be a lot to ask of our 2 year old. The 10 hour drive to Jackson will probably end up being 12 or 13 with stops. And it looks like Natchez and Vicksburg would both add an hour or two to that estimate.

siena1

This will have to be a quick post. We're still trying to get unpacked and settled in, but I just wanted to let you know how things went. I hope to write a longer trip report when I have time.

We ended up taking the "mapquest route" despite the good advice here and from my father. We knew some other people headed the same direction and thought it would be fun if we all travelled together. We went through Nashville, Little Rock, Dallas, and then south to San Antonio.

We decided to break-up the trip into four days/three nights, and I'm so thankful we made this decision. We only had about five hours of driving per day, so we had time to see some sights along the way. We spent the night in Nashville, Little Rock, and Dallas.

I have to say, I actually loved the part of Little Rock that we saw...the river market district, I think it was called. We went out to dinner at a place called Bosco's and the area was very lively and there were lots of people out-and-about. I'll elaborate more in my trip report!

Anyway, thank you all for the advice! Look for my trip report in a week or two!

dfr4848

Welcome siena! Thanks for the quick report and update. Look forward to report later. Glad trip went well.

AnnMarie_C

I was wondering how you made out--glad you enjoyed a safe trip.

SusanCS

I'm glad this post was revived because it gives me an opportunity to add some information about Little Rock. The River Market district is alive, well and bustling and bars and restaurants are open there (and the rest of Little Rock) at 11 a.m. on Sundays.

Here's another post I added on this subject when a disgruntled traveler complained about how bored he and his companions were when they went on a business trip to LR.
--------------------------------------------------------
Your problem isn't Little Rock, it's that you're there "on the Feds dime, so no cars" etc.

I spend 4 to 6 weeks a year in Key West, have been to New Orleans more times than I can count over the past 45 years, and to San Francisco a number of times, too. When I'm not traveling, I live happily and comfortably in Little Rock.

Surely you and your cohorts can pool your money and rent a car. It sounds to me as though you're happier grumbling about the lack of things to do than actually looking for a way to entertain yourselves. In addition to wonderful restaurants all over the city, and great outdoor and recreation opportunities all over the state - including Pinnacle Mountain State Park at the edge of Little Rock - you could check out:

Dickey-Stephens Ballpark just across the river in North Little Rock that won the 2007 Ballpark of the Year;
Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs for gambling and horse racing, and in Little Rock:
Arkansas Arts Center;
Old State House;
Arkansas Repertory Theatre;
MacArthur Museum of Arkansas Military History;
Arkansas Symphony Orchestra;
Heifer International;
Historic Arkansas Museum;
Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site.

I might add that you were "um, less than impressed with the Clinton Presidential Library," but it's won critical acclaim and all sorts of design and environmental awards.

SAnParis2

SusanCS - Since you were referring to my prior post I will happily respond, again. There is nothing in LR to make it a tourist destination. As stated prior, we weren't able to travel afar as we had to be available to be 'called' to testify. In addition, we had no idea how long we would even be there. On 4 separate occasions, adding up to 3-4 weeks of my life, which I will never get back, I was trapped in downtown LR w/nary a chance of escape. Much of the time downtown LR is a flat scary place & I am quite well-traveled. Happy the OP enjoyed it. For 1 day, I could probably deal as well. Interestingly enough, the places you travel to & enjoy are much the same places I travel to & enjoy. Your definition of 'bustling' is certainly different than mine. San Francisco & NYC are bustling, LR would be the opposite.

siena1

I have to chuckle because I once got into a "side argument" on someone's thread and was told by the OP to leave and start my own thread. But I actually like these kinds of debates...

I spent less than 24 hours in Little Rock, so I'm certainly no expert. I don't think anyone is suggesting that LR is a "tourist destination." But, if one is passing through, there are things to see and it has more character than the Ohio city where I spent the last three years.

Hoping to post that trip report soon!

siena1

Just posted my FIRST EVER trip report!

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...s-roadtrip.cfm

nitrovette

Hello,

I am new to this Site, but wanted to give some info on this older post in the event anyone makes this trip, often. I've done this trip several times a year for 15 years. A best kept secret is this; I've found it's best to head North before Memphis up I-55. Take the offshoot into Dyersburg Tennessee. You back track a little bit, but well worth it. It's a small, relatively safe town across the River. We usually stay at the Hampton Inn (Indoor pool). Plenty of restaurants, China's Wal-Mart w/fuel, and right off the I-state. You can then jump on some of the most beautiful Parkways through Tenn/Ken up to Ohio. Make sure you fill up. Great scenery, way less traffic, and good times.