The Trip Along Mississipi River (Clarksdale, West: motels, live in, centers)

[vlado8]

I am a sociologist from Russia who came to TN for several months. I am doing research of everyday life of American consumer society and very interested to look at the life of rural areas. I start next week a trip with my wife along Mississipi rever to New Orleans and back. I tried to find place to stop in farms but failed. Could you recommended me something besides interstates' motels? I search places in rural areas of Mississipi,LA and AR where we could spend a night and have a talk with local people.
Thank you.
Vlad.

[jacq63]

I found this link to farm stays in West TN, but they are bed and breakfasts, rather than working farms, I think. Still, the owners of B and B's are usually pretty friendly, and more than happy to talk about their region. They'd probably be able to tell you who else you could talk to, and where else you could stay.The drawback might be the costs, as compared to a highway motel.
http://www.experiencemississippirive..._westfarms.pdf

People find foreign accents fascinating, so once you've answered *their* questions, they'll probably open right up...that was our experience anyway.

Also try the visitor/welcome centers for the states you're interested in, lots of info and helpful people there.

[Delta Planter]

Originally Posted by vlado8

I am a sociologist from Russia who came to TN for several months. I am doing research of everyday life of American consumer society and very interested to look at the life of rural areas. I start next week a trip with my wife along Mississipi rever to New Orleans and back. I tried to find place to stop in farms but failed. Could you recommended me something besides interstates' motels? I search places in rural areas of Mississipi,LA and AR where we could spend a night and have a talk with local people.
Thank you.
Vlad.

Your upcoming trip should be truly interesting. You wrote you are going through Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Take a look at the following sites, there should be some information to help you along.

Arkansas - Travel Along the River in Arkansas
Louisiana - Experience the Mississippi River in Louisiana, Louisiana Great River Road
Mississippi - Experience the Mississippi River in Mississippi, Mississippi Great River Road

I envy you, already, and I'm originally from Mississippi! But I now live in Texas.

[tennreb]

You can stay at a working farm in Clarksdale--The Hopson Plantation. It was the first plantation where mechanical cotton pickers were used. The inn there is called the Shack 'Up Inn and is actually restored sharecropper shacks. It is a really cool experience