The south is a tad scary.

Driving in the south has been an interesting experience. Even though we're driving on a pretty rural highway, we haven't seen nearly as many billboards advertising the world's largest ant farm or the Corn Palace, like you see on the more northern route. But the south is in no way lacking in billboards. Indeed, one particularly horrifying board caught my attention. It was in Arkansas, and it was so disturbing, I really wish it were a dream. But no, it was real. It read: "Use the rod on your children. Save their lives." There was some quoted Biblical verse underneath it, but at 80+ miles/hour I didn't catch it. I don't even know how to comment on this. I've seen lots of anti-abortion billboards, a fair number of "Jesus Saves" ones, and a whole bunch of public service announcements telling the public to buckle up or to not drink and drive, (oh, and one billboard for "the largest cross in the western hemisphere," which, by the way, was absolutely huge). But this was just ridiculous. What kind of organization puts up money to tell people to spank their children? South or no south, that is not okay. 'nough said.

We managed to find something worthwhile in Arkansas: The William J. Clinton Presidential Library. Wow, what a neat place. The building was modern and gorgeous, and the archives inside were pretty incredible. I read letters written to Bill and Hill by Mother Teresa, Oscar de la Renta, Paul Newman, and many others. I saw the bicycle/bike shirt/helmet Lance Armstrong gave to the President as a gift. I saw the china the Clintons used, the limo Bill drove in, and the numerous saxes he played. Not to mention the binders filled with Mr. President's daily agenda during his years in office. Wowweee. Even Pops, who's not a huge fan of the Clintons, loved it. Thank you, Little Rock, for making Arkansas a positive experience.

We made our way to Memphis next, and it was heavenly. Three blocks of cobblestone streets were filled with people drinking beers and cocktails out of plastic cups, listening to live music. There were blues and jazz players all over the place. Bbq joints, blues clubs, and beer windows lined the streets. I think if I liked beer I might have stayed another few nights. Just fantastic.

This morning we drove over to Nashville, and while it was fun in its own right, I liked Memphis better. Country music stuff was everywhere, but more spread out than the blues joints in Memphis. I did, however, catch some really great singers at some of the open mics. We hit up the Charlie Daniels museum (pretty sweet, although the only song I know of his band's is The Devil Went Down to Georgia, and only because it was prominently featured in Coyote Ugly) and this fantastic music store with more country CDs, DVDs, and memorabilia than I've ever seen in one place before. I got a sweet Nashville guitar pick and am now determined to spend every hour of the summer (when not bar studying) practicing. All it takes is the right pick, you'll see. We left Nashville and headed further east, making good time, and eventually ended up in Knoxville. There's not much to see in Knoxville.

Tomorrow we'll being heading north, through Great Smoky Mountains National Park and beyond.