Going Home

"There's no place like home; there's no place like home." -- Dorothy in TheWizard of Oz

What do you think of when you hear the word "home"? Is it the place where you were born? Where your parents live? Where you've spent the most time? For me, it conjures up the place where I lived the longest, from the age of 24 to 51. I traveled "home" recently, 678 miles from Greensboro to Meridian, Mississippi.

While there I visited with former students and old friends, went to a high school pep rally and football game, ate out, and drove around. Every street was so full of memories that as I drove around, the present was nearly crowded out by the past. I spent my entire young adult life in that town; it is FULL of memories. Having the time to revisit some of those memories was therapeutic and painful. Going "home" is possible, though not always as simple as merely making the journey.

**Meridian Notes:
Meridian is a town of about 40,000 people in east central Mississippi. It sits at the union of interstates 59 and 20 very close to the Alabama state line. It is not a tourist destination but is a spot where tourists often stop on their way to someplace else. If you find yourself to be one of those tourists anytime soon, I have some recommendations for your time there.

Best place to hike and take in nature: Bonita Lakes Park. There are bike trails through the woods and a gravel trail that goes around both lakes. There's also a playground and picnic tables in nice shady areas.

Best chicken salad: Cater's Market   It is too far from the interstate for a quick stop, but a perfect place for lunch if you are in town for 24 hours.

Best hamburger: Mugshots   There are several locations in Mississippi and Alabama and one in Louisiana. The Meridian one is located very near Cater's Market. The hamburgers are scrumptious, partly due to the yummy sourdough buns!

Best crab cakes and Southern food: Weidmann's  This is an older restaurant in downtown Meridian, not far at all from the interstate. It is slightly expensive, but worth it! Lunch is very casual, and dinner a little more formal. It comes highly recommended from several sources.