Monday, March 30, 2009

Farming on Memphis Streets

That was one long trip and I'm not sure I ever want to do it again. I surely wouldn't want to do it during a big traffic day. There was hardly any traffic on Trigg street and down Florida Street.


Servicing the tractor at the Presidents Island farm before starting the trip through Memphis to take it back home to Arkansas via Mississippi.

READY, SET, GO! Matild and Poncho ready to pull out behind us.

Bare streets and run down warehouses on Trigg St. There were a few dilapidated houses here and there on this street that were occupied. There were several that weren't also and should be torn down cause I saw lots of gang signs spray painted on the sides.

Just a few blocks to Florida St. It's almost a straight shot home down this street. Florida merges into Kansas Street which turns into New Horn Lake Rd. That road bisects Hwy 61/3rd St. in SW Memphis and that's where we turned to continue going south.

Continuing down Hwy 61/3rd ST. The shoulders weren't very wide here but the tractor was narrow enough it only took up one lane.

A blurry look behind at the tractor and planter following. Our top speed was 20 MPH and often we were traveling much slower.

We followed Hwy 61 across the state line into Mississippi. Just a few miles (15 or so) we started passing all the Mississippi casinos. Casinos, cotton, and soybean fields, that's what you mostly see in eastern Mississippi.

Imagine this scene with the fields planted with cotton or soybeans. Redneck Vegas!

We poked our way on south through north western Mississippi and then we turned west towards Arkansas and home. I sure was happy to see the Helena bridge that spans the Mississippi River. It meant Arkansas was on the other side!

After crossing the bridge we're greeted with the familiar signs that home is nearby.

After turning off of 49, just over the bridge, we turned south again towards the farm which is only a few miles past Lakeview. Matild knew his way home from here so we were able to speed ahead to the farm to wait for him there.

The 65 trip from Memphis took 5 hours. We were in that truck from 7 A.M. until 2:15 P.M. except for a couple of quick stops and the little while at Presidents Island readying the tractor for the trip. We only saw one police car in Memphis and he was on the Island and that was strange cause the part where he was there is nothing but farm ground.

I was almost sad that I didn't get to document the Man getting cuffed and arrested. :-) I really thought it had the potential of being a really interesting day but I was mostly bored. I did take a few scenery pics that I'll post tomorrow.

Hope everyone had a fantastic Monday!

20 comments:

Donna said...

So Glad there wasn't any trouble!! What a Trip! Oh well...These are Great pics...I Really think you should have stopped off at the casino though!!!Hahaaaa....Happy day sweetie!hughugs

Debbie said...

Boring to you but fun for me to read! I'm glad there were no incidents, but kinda sad "no cuffs" LOL.

I did not know once you crossed in there were all those casinos. I've always wanted to cruise down the Mississippi River..I think it's the Delta Queen. Sigh.

Andrea (Off Her Cork) said...

Happy that you guys made it home safe and sound! :)

Donna said...

Whew on getting there safely! That is a nasty part of Memphis and it would be the scariest part for me, LOL!

Janice said...

Growing up I would follow the tractor & hay baler down the road at 16 mph between hay fields! 16 was top speed for our John Deere. I think I was 11 or 12 driving the truck and it would seem like forever making a short trip. Good times...
Glad ya'll made it safely home.

Brent said...

I've crossed that bridge!! Oh, the simple pleasures in life!

Joni said...

What a trip! Nice to see some landscape from your neck of the woods ~

Cindra said...

How loud was that trip? And comfortable? Man, I can't imagine. A fun adventure though.

kimberly said...

i've always wondered what the story was when i see a tractor rolling along the highway....now i at least know one story!!! :) glad it all went well!
hugs,
kimberly

cassie-b said...

What a long trip at such a slow pace. I hope you don['t have to do that again any time soon.

Diane of Crafty Passions said...

Thanks for the good wishes!
Diane

Carole Burant said...

I would have worried that a cop would have stopped me for going too slow! lol Glad you all made the trip there and back safely...I guess sometimes no excitement is best:-) Loved seeing all the pictures and still giggling at the "redneck Vegas" comment! hehe xoxo

Cindy Seeks..... said...

If you think the trip was bad for you, think about the poor saps stuck behind the tractor! lol Been there, done that. :)

Donna said...

Just checking on you sweetie! Happy night!hughugs

Donna said...

EVERYONE! Brenda says her modem is out and she'll have to get a new one!! Hopefully she'll be up and running in a few days!!!

Jeanne said...

That sounds like one horribly long drive. Good photos though.

Virginia Gal said...

Seriously I could never have that adventure, wild!

kimberly said...

just checking up on you brenda....hope all is well!
hugs,
kimberly

Unknown said...

Hey Brenda,

Just checking in to see if you got your computer fixed yet. Hope you get it up and running soon. Take care! Oh hey I see you are on Facebook, I'll friend request you.

Attila the Mom said...

Hope you get your modem soon! I miss your face!