Been a long, long, long time! And about Mississippi?

Rail Man · Nov 11, 2009

I don't even know when I last posted anything to this list, but it had to be a heck of a long time ago!! I didn't help I pretty much abandoned the pipe most of the summer in favor of cigars, but I've cracked my one tine of Dunhill EMP to get me back into the pipe spirit, heck, been a long long time since I've had any EMP, when this tin is gone it will probably be a long long time before I ever have it again

Anyway, a little of what's been going on in my chaotic life for the past 6 months or so. In April I got furloughed from my job as a conductor for the regional railroad I was working for in Wisconsin thanks to the rip-roaring economy we are experience. Luckily the big railroads still needed vegetation control so I was able to get my old summer job back, spraying weeds for Buffet's new train set all across the midwest meanwhile hoping my railroad would experience a turnaround. In September the spraying season ended and rumor was my railroad was bringing people back (still hasn't happened), so I "vacationed" as well as helping out my dad back in ND for a while.

Today I got a call from an engineer that got furloughed from the same place I worked who has since found work on a shortline in Grenada, Mississippi, who said I may also be able to get hired there. With the huge regional diversity of this list I figured it may be a good place to ask if anyone knows about the Grenada area (100 miles south of Memphis)? Having only lived in the midwest I'm obviously pretty in the dark about the south (and just like southerners hear about how cold it gets up here in the winter, we here about how blame hot it gets down there in the summer!). By the way I'd rely on the engineer I know except he is from the south and who's going to be honest about where they're from?

So central Mississippi, what can anyone tell me, good or bad? Thanks a lot!

Centurian 803 · Nov 11, 2009

Welcome back Rail Man. I envy you working on the railroad. Always wanted to be an engineer but went a different route in my career. I'm a southern boy so I think anywhere south of the mason dixon line is pretty much heaven. I live in Tennessee but have been through central Mississippi on business. The people were friendly and it was beautiful country. Wasn't there long enough to comment on the weather. Good luck to you in finding work.

Ol'Dawg · Nov 11, 2009

Great to see you posting again! As for the heat in the south, it wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the high humidity that comes off the Gulf. :lol!:

The Grenada area does have some gently rolling hills and forests with lots of deer and turkeys to hunt. If you like to fish, nearby Grenada Lake has some of the best crappie fishing in the US. There's lots of Civil War history surrounding the area too. Grenada Lake info

A few recommendations for other things to do within 100 miles of Grenada--- eat ribs at the Rendevous Restaurant and visit Beale Street in Memphis, visit the Vicksburg National Battlefield, visit Oxford during an Ole Miss home football game.

My memory recalls you enjoy and or collect guns. If so, check out Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading in Corinth, MS. TN Valley Muzzleloading Mr. Avance makes a fine muzzleloader.

Good luck,
Jim

Rail Man · Nov 12, 2009

Thanks all for the tips! We'll see how it goes from here.

Al in Canada · Nov 13, 2009

Rail Man
Where ever you go ..there you are.

There are some great people in Mississippi, and there are some miserable SOBs. But that is true every where. How much you enjoy it depends upon the attitude you bring to it. If you always compare it to Wisconsin you are going to find it is different, its up to you to enjoy the differences.

SEC football has never been like Big Ten football, there has never been a three yards and a cloud of dust coach like OSU's Woody Hayes in the SEC. You'll enjoy it. The basketball is great, but you may come to hate UK, since it looks like they are coming back towards there historic position in the conference.

After you have been there 6 weeks you'll think you are starting to understand athe accent, although you know that you will never talk like that. Inside of 3 months your family back North will be kidding about the accent you are "putting on" when you call home. Don't worry the accent is contagious. Beware the accent along with a sun dress has ended many a young man's intention to stay single.

Typical summer weather forecast for the SE is bright and sunny in the morning, chance of thunder showere/storm in the afternooon, temperature in the 90s with humidity about the same. However you are unlikely to need snow tires or a snow blower. Instead of ski-doos, they have sea-doos.

Enjoy.

Al (in Canada)