Back before “Netflix & Chill” became code for “have sex” we had other terms. We would say they were “doing the nasty” or, “they’re upstairs”.
It was during these simpler times that my wife, Trixie, went by another nickname. Back then she was “Michie”.
Yep, it was Tommy & Michie, sitting in a tree…k-i-s-s-i-n-g… She didn’t get the Trixie handle until many years later when I was watching a mini-marathon of “Speed Racer”, my boyhood hero, when I realized just how startlingly much I had in common with the descriptively-named cartoon character and I began calling her Trixie.
But, there are times (when I am identifying with Ultraman or Papa Smurf) that I still think of her as Michie.
Because of that, I drove through the night to the tiny unicorporated town that is her namesake, just to be with her. (pic related)
The most noticeable difference between my wife and this town is that one of them HAS no limits…HA!
Still in Tennessee, killing time until I meet her in Memphis, I searched the map for interesting places.
There is the home of Buford Pusser – the sheriff whose story was made famous by “Walking Tall”. It is in Adamsville.
I didn’t take any pictures because I wasn’t in a very photo-ey mood. To get to his home-turned-museum, once must drive along the historic Trail of Tears.
It had been a while since I had read about the forced relocation of the Indians, who were made to march west and give up their ancestral lands, so I brushed up on it.
Depending on whose estimate you go by, it can be argued that there were more Indians living in the Americas than there were Europeans in Europe. Not that the numbers matter. But, it makes it tough to have respect for the law when those in charge just make it legal for them to take and do what they want.
So, yeah, I wasn’t in a very “point and click” mood at the sheriff’s house.
But, I wanted to see America, and The Trail of Tears is a big part of its history.
I was somber, sad, sullen, gloomy maybe even a little morose. I put down my thesaurus and picked up my road atlas. I was determined to find a fun-loving sounding place to lift my spirits. I pored over the map and saw, Three-way,TN. Nah. They would just make me think of Trixie (ZING! I wish). So, I didn’t go there.
Eventually I settled on Skullbone, TN. Population: fiddy (50) but claims the title of “World Bare-Knuckle Prize Fighting Capital of the World!” (pics related)
They have a M*A*S*H-esque style sign post in the…center, I guess…of town. I mean, the whole city is just one intersection that doesn’t even have a traffic light – just a 4-way stop. (pics related)
I spoke with, Ruby Hampton, the friendly lady who, with her husband, has owned and operated the Skullbone General Store for 51 years. (pic related)
She tells me that, over the years, they have gotten a few wanderers who were attracted by the town’s unique name. I was hoping to be first.
From there it was a short drive to yet another world capital Bradford, TN, “Doodle Soup Capital of the World!”
Since I’m already up in that tree…k-i-s-s-i-n-g…I’m going to go out on a limb (ba-dum, tsss) and say that this title was awarded without contest since no one outside of Bradford even knows what Doodle Soup is. But, one weekend each year they have a festival celebrating it. I think it is some kind of stew that you make at home. I can’t be sure because the town is small and I couldn’t find any eateries.
But, in case you are interested for some reason, I have included this link. ..
http://www.doodlesoupdays.com/
Plan your next vacation accordingly.