The Missippi Delta: Traveling through Blues Country
Traveling through all 50 states has been a goal of mine for years, and by the time I planned this trip, Mississippi and Arkansas were two of the last five still on my list. I decided to head down through the Mississippi Delta to check them off, not realizing that this journey would turn into one of the most memorable travel experiences I have ever had. The Delta is rich with culture, music, and food, and exploring it gave me a deeper appreciation for the roots of American blues and the communities that have shaped its history.
Beginning the Road Trip
I invited my friend Ryan to join me, and we kicked things off by flying into Springfield, Missouri. From there we dropped south into Arkansas, passing through the very unusual entertainment town of Branson. It was clear that Branson was not exactly geared toward our demographic, since neither of us are big fans of country music and we both felt a little out of place among the tour buses and silver-haired crowds. Even so, it was an entertaining stop on the way and I got to see the biggest chicken I’ve ever seen.
Memphis: Food, Music, and Rock and Roll History
Our next stop was Memphis, where we spent a couple of days taking in the atmosphere on Beale Street. The live music, the energy, and the food were everything I hoped they would be. One of the highlights was touring Sun Studio, the legendary recording studio where Elvis, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and so many others began their careers. Standing in the same room where those early tracks were recorded was a surreal moment and a must-do if you are ever in Memphis.
Down Through the Mississippi Delta
From Memphis, we continued our drive down through the Mississippi Delta, stopping at blues clubs, local diners, and small towns that felt frozen in time. The food was incredible everywhere we went and the music felt like it was woven into the fabric of the region. One of the most unexpected moments of the trip happened when we wandered through an abandoned mansion overlooking the Mississippi River. Inside, I found a National Geographic magazine from the exact month and year I was born. It was a strange little coincidence that made the stop even more memorable.
Gators, Breweries, and Southern Louisiana
Eventually we crossed into Louisiana, where we joined a swamp tour that ended up being one of the most entertaining things we did on the whole trip. Apparently, alligators have a strong love for hot dogs and marshmallows, something I never expected to learn firsthand. Afterward, we visited one of my favorite breweries, Abita, which was a fun break before heading into New Orleans.
Ending the Trip in New Orleans
We wrapped up the trip in New Orleans, enjoying the food, the historic neighborhoods, and of course, some amazing jazz. It was the perfect way to end a journey that took us through states I had never explored and introduced me to parts of American culture I had only experienced from a distance. Look for New Orleans pics in another blog post…
A Trip Worth Repeating
This road trip through the Mississippi Delta was one I will never forget and one I would recommend to anyone who loves music, food, history, and a little adventure. If this style of storytelling inspires you and you want to grow your ability to capture travel experiences through photography, you can learn more about my travel photography coaching or explore upcoming workshops and tours.