This past summer a certain teenager I know happened to mention she’d never been to the Delta. “Really?” I countered, mentally checking off which kids we’d taken where over the years.

“Nope. Never. Nada,” came her answer, which is why one thing led to another, eventually resulting in a group of Brookhaven homeschoolers and their parents taking a road trip last week. I should point out this only transpired after they covered the writings of Willie Morris and learned to mark all the right boundaries on a Mississippi map. (Ok, ok. I admit there may have been a lesson involving a catfish dinner, too.)

But the truth is, I realized early on we’d need to study up. Traveling through the Delta would be easy. Understanding the Delta would not.

So we left on Thursday, giving our group of nearly 40 a chance to glimpse the Mighty Mississippi, tear cotton straight from the boll, hear the sounds of B.B. King and sample goods from the Indianola Pecan House. And now, after recuperating enough to conduct a highly-scientific poll of participants, I would like to share “The Top Stops We Made on our Delta Drive-Through”:

Jamie Whitten Delta States Research Center – Stoneville

At this regional hub for the USDA, visitors are able to choose a field of interest, then hear from the experts. We learned about the latest developments in cotton ginning technology and went home with goody bags full of white stuff.

Sky Lake – Humphreys/Leflore Counties  

The pavilion at this wildlife management area provides a perfect place to picnic before setting off on the main attraction, the Sky Lake Boardwalk. Never explored an ancient forest of bald cypress trees? You’ve missed out. These trees are huge, as in walk-around-the-inside-of-the-trunk huge.

Viking Range – Greenwood

The staff at Viking can really roll out a red carpet. We not only got a personal tour of the plant, but of their five-star Alluvian hotel and cooking school as well. The students learned a new word, too – kaizen, “always improving” – a fitting motto for this Mississippi success story.

Catfish Capitol of the World – Belzoni

To pay proper homage to one of Mississippi’s most profitable ag enterprises, we enjoyed a photo scavenger hunt using Belzoni’s “Catfish on Parade”, creatively-painted fiberglass catfish displayed on downtown streets. My favorite, “D. Fin-der, Esquire”, was posed in front of a law office (in a suit, of course).

Jim Henson “Birthplace of Kermit the Frog” Museum – Leland

Visitors can pose with Kermit, Bert, Ernie and the gang at this museum filled with Henson memorabilia. Our younger students especially enjoyed playing on the banks of nearby Deer Creek, where Henson spent time as a child.

1927 Flood Museum – Greenville

Housed in the oldest structure in downtown Greenville, these educational exhibits tell the story of one of the greatest natural disasters our country has ever known. Our students were mesmerized by footage showing how Mississippi was affected by four months of flooding.

The Crystal Grill – Greenwood

Let’s just say there’s a reason this Delta landmark has been featured on the Food Network. Our group suspects it has something to do with their lemon icebox pie.

Sam Olden Historical Society Museum – Yazoo City

Where else can you see Jerry Clower’s red jacket, Marsha Barbour’s inaugural dress, and a bed Jimmy Carter slept in, all under one roof? Our group had the added privilege of hearing from a Vietnam vet regarding the Moving Wall, which was on exhibit in Yazoo City that day.

The Greenville Bridge – Greenville

This bridge spanning the Mississippi River between Greenville and Lake Village, Arkansas was the fourth-longest cable-stayed bridge in North America when it was completed in 2010. In addition to being an engineering marvel, it’s a truly spectacular sight.

Tallahatchie Flats – Greenwood

At this unique “motel,” travelers pay to stay in preserved sharecropper dwellings. While we were there touring, our students met some blues enthusiasts from Holland. That encounter gave credence to what I’d been telling them all along: people come from all over the world to see the Delta. Why haven’t you?

 

Wesson resident Kim Henderson is a freelance writer who writes for The Daily Leader. Contact her at kimhenderson319@gmail.com.