All good things must come to an end, and the Gristissippi Road Trip is one of them. Sarah and I wrapped up our enlightening week of interviews and explorations with a visit to Beale Street (fried pie, yum!) and a beer with a Gristmill fan. As we recuperate from the trip in our respective cities, collecting our thoughts and notes for the more in-depth features to follow, I thought I’d throw down a few of the things I learned along the way. Seven, in fact, one for each day of travel:
- Plenty of people swim in the Mississippi, especially the upper part.
- There are political leaders out there with vision, energy, and the confidence and smarts to make positive change. And they’re getting ‘er done.
- One should never order a ponyshoe on a dare.
- Coordinating river protection efforts in one city is incredibly complicated — to say nothing of coordinating them along the 10-state corridor that borders the Mississippi.
- The Gateway Arch is as wide as it is tall, and you can feel it swaying when you’re at the top.
- There are Grist fans everywhere — and they rock. Thanks to those who wrote us while we were on the road, and especially to Pat for the PBR.
- Finally (for now), perhaps the biggest surprise of all:
