What I did on my Summer Vacation (Spoiler: the answer is - eat and drink too much)

Vacations are necessities, not luxuries. - Linda Bloom

Before the madness of summer school begins next week, Husband and I decided we needed a little road trip to fulfill our vacation quota for the season. We hadn't been up to Kentucky to see family in a while and also needed to stop off in our old, Mississippi stomping grounds to pick up some equipment for Husband's summer research.

First, we drove to Kentucky (12 hours, wah-waaaah), where we enjoyed food and drinks with good friends and family. 

On Sunday, my family drove to Eminence, Kentucky to have some nerd fun at the Kentucky Highland Renaissance Festival 

This festival is set in 13th century Scotland, complete with King Robert the Bruce, traditional celebrations, bards, jousts, and comedy shows. My whole family attended as did my very best friend from high school. All in all, an excellent reunion!

Wrapping the ugliest maypole ever.

Fun, family-friendly mud show

It ain't faire until I've got a turkey leg!

It ain't faire without a mug of cider and a rocking pig!

That's my kick-ass brother. We both got the costuming gene.

Long live the Bruce!

Sir Tristan of Scotland (most importantly wearing the fleur de lis)

After 3 days in Kentucky, it was time to move on. We headed south to Oxford, Mississippi, where Husband and I spent 10 pretty much awesome years studying and working at the University of Mississippi and meeting genuinely amazing people we very seriously consider family. Surprisingly, I didn't take ANY pictures of my time with friends! I guess I was so tied up in conversation that I just didn't think about it (it couldn't have had anything to do with wine...). I should just mention the wonderful places we visited and recommend:
       

            - City Grocery - Best place in town for a martini on the balcony!
            - Ajax Diner - Recently voted "Best of the Best," 'nuff said. GO THERE.
            - Boure - I was really impressed with the big, new venue for this old favorite!
            - The Cellar - go there if you want to watch 12 year old frat boys call eachother "Bra"
            - Square Pizza - go there after an evening on the town for the best pizza ever!
            - Bottletree Bakery - Best ginger scone and homemade granola! (and everything else!)
            - The Blind Pig - Go there for good live music and pool!
            - Volta Taverna - Go there for Mediterranean cuisine and delicious margaritas! (seriously)

From Oxford, we headed into the Mississippi Delta for some archaeology and music in Clarksdale, home of the Blues!

First, we had to get some work done. By "work," I mean I took some pretty pictures and then returned to the car to read about zombies while Husband set up a digital, globally oriented grid at the site.

Scenic View from the top of an Indian Mound

Husband gets his coordinates set!

After checking into our downtown Clarksdale hotel, we walked around in search of libation. First, we had some snacks and drinks at the Stone Pony (I'd never been there) a casual pizza-and-beer place with excellent movie-themed trivia on Wednesday nights!

After that, we wandered over to Morgan Freeman's blues club, Ground Zero. I have to say, I've always loved this place, but it's gotten really touristy and the band playing put me in the mind of Tropical Isle, not the true blues capitol of the world.

I forgot my coozie. #hatetouchingcoldthings

We look good, but the band sounds awful!

We didn't stay at Ground Zero long. Determined to find better music, we wandered towards Red's juke joint. There was no music that night, but Red was there and regaled us with tales of celebrities and annoying tourists. It was pretty awesome and authentic, hence I took no photos, obviously.

After our night in Clarksdale, it was time to head home. But not before one final, and very important, pit stop: The Jim Henson Museum in Leland, Mississippi!

Most awesome photo op ever!

The Jim Henson Museum is very small, but packed full of memorabilia, actual original Muppet props, as well as biographic info and photos of a young Jim Henson, growing up in Mississippi.

Original puppets from Spirits of the Cloud Forest

Animal!

Me and Kermie!

The museum is magical, and it was a perfect way to end our trip!

Now we're back home, but, of course, our adventures aren't over! I have lots of trouble to get into soon, so stay tuned!