On the road to Water Valley, Mississippi

Just down the road from Oxford, Mississippi is Water Valley, a quaint railroad town that takes visitors back to simpler times. Water Valley's heyday was from the late 1800s to the 1920s, and most of the homes and buildings are from that period. When the railroad stopped running through Water Valley, the area became somewhat of a ghost town, but it has seen a revival in recent years thanks to a mix of resourceful locals and transplants. You can read a little more about that in this recent New York Times article. In addition to two quirky art galleries, Yalo Studio and Bozart's Gallery, downtown Water Valley offers gems such as Turnage Drug Store, which has been serving customers since 1905 and still whips up  delicious sandwiches, ice cream and milkshakes from its soda fountain. Sartain's Hardware Store is another old-timey favorite where locals can pick up tools and supplies as well as the type of genuine customer service that can be hard to find in today's world.

A new addition that feels as though it has been there for decades is the B.T.C. Grocery, which offers "small-town food with a big-city feel." The store carries everything from local produce to hoop cheese to quinoa (hard to find in most small Mississippi towns). It also boasts a cafe that serves some really yummy sandwiches, soups and desserts. To see their mouthwatering daily menus, like them on Facebook.

Downtown Water Valley is an inspiring place that reminds visitors of the potential in small-town America and why we should invest in our history and our heritage.

It is definitely worth a visit, perhaps during the first weekend of August for the Watermelon Carnival?

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On the Road with G & J: England

Our latest installment of On the Road takes us to England, specifically my old stomping grounds of Windsor, Maidenhead and London. I was born in Windsor almost 30 years ago and was raised in the nearby town of Maidenhead. London is only a short drive or train ride away from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, so we spent many weekends there. While I always enjoyed our close proximity to London, my favorite memories of my eight years in England are of warm summer days spent outside. While the temperatures in the American South range from 80 to 95 degrees during the summer months, most June, July and August days in England were in the mid 60s or low 70s. I remember frolicking outside in breezy summer dresses and cardigans, hosting tea parties in the grass and taking long walks along the River Thames. As the river was only a short walk from our house, we enjoyed these walks on a regular basis. There were so many wonderful things to explore! I know that our love affair with nature began all of those years ago.

When Jonathan and I visited England together for the first time in August 2009, we spent the majority of our time in London, but we did take the train to Maidenhead so I could show him a little piece of my childhood. He experienced a similar childhood on this side of the pond, so he felt right at home on our nature walk. We completed the day with dinner at Chef Peking, a restaurant that my family loved even before I was in the picture.

Sadly, as I was searching for their website, I discovered they have closed. I guess I'm showing my age now. Since I can't give you a good restaurant recommendation, I would suggest that you visit the Marks and Spencer on the High Street. There you can get great sandwiches, sausage rolls, crisps (prawn cocktail and salt and vinegar are the best), bake well tarts and lemon fancies that will make for a wonderful British picnic lunch. Your afternoon can be spent on another stroll, this time in Windsor, which is the home of Windsor Castle and Queen Mary's dollhouse. There is also plenty of good shopping in Windsor as well as lots of quaint places to enjoy a cup of afternoon tea before you take the train back to London and the more typical tourist spots. :)

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South Main Street in Memphis

Today On the Road with Gerald & Joan stops in our adopted hometown of Memphis, Tennessee. The South Main Arts district is one of Memphis' best-kept secrets and is home to such legendary sights as the Lorraine Motel (home of the National Civil Rights Museum), The Arcade Restaurant and Ernestine and Hazel's. You'll want to try The Arcade for pancakes and Ernestine and Hazel's for the soul burger and/or late night parties. We're also fans of the new Central BBQ (try the BBQ nachos or the portabella burger), Hoot and Louise (they carry adorable vintage goodies) and the Memphis Farmers Market (which boasts the biggest selection of locally grown produce in the city). Whether you visit the area on foot (the walk from Beale is an easy one) or by trolley, you won't be sorry you made the trip. The art galleries, the crumbly old buildings and unique dining and shopping options make the district a favorite with locals and tourists alike. If you visit on the last Friday of the month, you can participate in the South Main Trolley Night (the trolley is free, the businesses stay open late and there is wine and music). While we enjoy Trolley Night, we prefer South Main on quiet weekends when we can window shop and imagine what the area was like when Elvis did his first radio show at the Hotel Chisca. So fun...

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On the road with Gerald & Joan

Since it's clear our travel posts are going to be the norm for a while (must be this dismal weather that has us in the mood for warmer locales!), we've decided to give them a name -- On the road with Gerald & Joan! This week we're headed back to Southern California and the South Bay area to hang out in Manhattan Beach. When people tell us they dislike California, we know they haven't been to Manhattan. It is So Cal at its best -- beautiful beaches, quaint shops and awesome food. It's also the volleyball capital of the world, so you can work off those nachos or pancakes and stay out of the cold water! If you aren't into volleyball or surfing, you can also rent bikes or just take a walk on the beach or the Strand. When you're in Manhattan Beach, you want to be outside, and walking is pure joy. Manhattan is that sort of place that gets into your system pretty quickly. Before you know it, you're donning your flip flops, sunglasses and hoodies just like the locals, and you don't ever want to leave.

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